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Trumps by George William Curtis
page 96 of 615 (15%)
"How easy 'tis for a rich man to smile at poverty!"

The man watched the boy, and knew exactly what he was thinking. As the
eyes of the younger involuntarily glanced about the office and presently
returned to the merchant, they found the merchant's gazing so keenly that
they seemed to be mere windows through which his soul was looking. But
the keen earnestness melted imperceptibly into the usual sweetness as
Lawrence Newt said,

"You think I can talk prettily about misfortune because I know nothing
about it. You make a great mistake. No man, even in jest, can talk well
of what he doesn't understand. So don't misunderstand me. I am rich, but
I am not fortunate."

He said it in the same tone as before.

"If you wanted a rose and got only a butter-cup, should you think
yourself fortunate?" asked Mr. Newt.

"Why, yes, Sir. A man can't expect to have every thing precisely as he
wants it," replied the boy.

"My young friend, you are of opinion that a half loaf is better than no
bread. True--so am I. But never make the mistake of supposing a half to
be the whole. Content is a good thing. When the man sent for cake, and
said, 'John, if you can't get cake, get smelts,' he did wisely. But
smelts are not cake for all that. What's your name?" asked Mr. Newt,
abruptly.

"Gabriel Bennet," replied the boy.
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