A Fortune Made By Picking Up A Pin

important results often follow from the most trifling incideiits. A remarkable instancé ot' this kind is found in an English paper of Lafitte, the French Banker, of whom we gave a somewhat extendec account last week - and was the foundation of the immense fortune he afterwards accumulated. When he carne to Paris in 1788, the extent of his ambition was to find a situation in a banking house, and to attain this object he called on Al. Perregeaux, the rich'Swiss banker, to whom he had a letter of introducfion. This gentleman had just taken possession of the hotel of Mad'lle Gurmard, which had been put up in a lottery by that lady and wonby the fortúnate banker. It was to this charming habitation, which hassince been demolished, that M. Lafitte paid his first visit in Paris, and, as it were, took his first step in the Parisian world. The young provincial - poor and modest, timid and anxious - entered by thnt gateway which had witnessed so many gaities of the last century. He was introduced into the boudoir of the danseuse, then become the cabinet of the banker, and there modestly stated the object of his visit. 'It is impossible for me to admit you into my establishment, al least for the present,' replied the banker, 'all my offices have their full compliment. If Irequire any one at a future time, I will see what can be done; but in the meantime I advise youtoseek elsawhere, fori do not expect lo have a vacancy for some time.' With a disappointed heart the young aspirant for employment left the office, and whilewith a downcast look he traversed the court-yard, he stooped to piek up a pin which Iay in his path, and which he carefully sluck in the lappel of his coat. Little did he think that this trivial action was lo decide his future fate, bo so it was. From the window of his cabinet M. Perregeaux looked out. The Swiss banker was one of those keen observers of human actions who estímate the value of circumstances apparentlytriñing in themselves, and which would pass unnoticed by the majority of mankind. He was delighted with the conduct of the young stranger. In this simple action, he saw the revelation of a character; it was a guarantee of a love of order and econom}', a certain pledge of all the qualities which should be possessed by a good financier. A young man who would piek up a pin could not fail to make a good clerk, merit the confidence of his employer, & obtain a high degree of prosperity. In the eveningofthe same day, M. Lafitte received the following note from M. Perregeaux: -'A place is made for you in my office which you may íake possession of tomorrow morning.' The anticipations ofthe banker wcre not deceived. The young Lafitte pos3essed every desirable qualiíy, and oven inore than was first expected. From implo clcrk be roso (o be coshíer, then lártner, then heud oC th o first bwíltin:house in Pari?, and afterwards in rapid succession, a Deputy and President of the Councilof Ministers, the highest point to which a citizen can aspire. On what a trifle does the fortune of a man sometirnes depend. But for the simple incident of the pin, M. Lafitte would, perhaps, never have entered the house of M. Perregeaux; another employer might not have openedto him so wide a field of action, and his talents and intelligence would not have led to such magnificent results. Littlë did Mi Perregeaux think thö.t the land which would piek up a pin was that of a man generous to prodiga] ity in doing good - a hand al was open tosuccor honor and misfortune. Never v.-ere riches ilaced in better hands; never did banker or prince make a more noble use of