Page:Advice to young ladies on their duties and conduct in life - Arthur - 1849.djvu/38

30 have attained their majority. Do you see that young woman who has just rung the bell at the house opposite?”

“Yes, sir; she is a seamstress, and works for Mrs. .”

“Do you know who she is?”

“No, sir.”

“That poor girl, Jane, who now goes out to sew for her living, is the daughter of a man who was once considered among the richest of our merchants. But he lost all he possessed, and died penniless.”

“Indeed!”

“Yes, Jane. And I could point you to more than a dozen such instances. The tenure by which wealth is held in this country is a very uncertain one. Industry, enterprise, and sagacity in business, are almost sure to make a man rich; but they do not always prove sufficient for the retention of wealth. It sometimes happens that a man goes on, year after year, successful in every thing. Whatever he touches turns, to use a common saying, into gold. Then a change comes. Every thing goes wrong. Men to whom he has sold goods for years, and who have always paid him promptly, fail. He sends an adventure to sea, and meets a heavy loss. Prices fall while he has a large stock of goods