WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 91

 

man determined to rise, no matter who is trampled
down or destroyed in the ascent.”’

‘“‘Tn business circles such men are by no means
scarce.”

‘¢T am aware of it.”

“ And it is unhesitatingly affirmed by many whom
I know, that, as the world now is, no really honest
man can trade successfully.”

“¢ That is more than I am ready to admit.”’

“‘The sharpest and shrewdest get on the best.”
_ “Because it is easier to be sharp and shrewd

than to be intelligent, persevering, industrious, pa-

tient, and self-denying. The eagerness to get rich
fast is the bane of trade. I am quite ready to ad-
mit that no man can get rich at railroad speed, and
not violate the law of doing as you would be done
b nn
"eDaing as you would be done by! O dear!’
said the friend; “‘ you certainly don’t ‘mean to
bring that law down into the actual life of the
world ?””

“Tt would be a happier world for all of us if this
law were universally obeyed.”

“That may be. But, where all are selfish, how
is it possible to act from an unselfish principle ?”’

‘Do you approve of stealing ?” said Claire, with
some abruptness.

‘¢Of course not,” was the half-indignant answer.

“T need not have asked the question, for 1 now
remember to have seen the fact noticed in one of
our papers, that an unfaithful domestic in your fa-
mily had been handed over to the police.”

“True. She was a thief. We found in her