The Youth's Companion/July 19, 1860/Burden of Riches

Burden of Riches.

It is very natural to think rich people must be happy. Others envy them, and think how grand it must be to have money enough to gratify every want. But these rich people are often very miserable. Stephen Girard, one of the wealthiest men that ever lived in Philadelphia, wrote to a friend:

“As to myself, I live like a galley-slave—constantly occupied, and often passing the night without sleeping. I am wrapped up in a labyrinth of affairs, and worn out with cares. I do not value fortune. The love of labor is my highest emotion. When I rise in the morning, my only effort is to labor so hard during the day, that when night comes, I may be enabled to sleep soundly.”