The Day Book

Fortune of a Pin.

In the year 1787, a boy called Lafitte first appeared in Paris. He was poor, and greatly desired to obtain an inferior situation in a banking house. Furnished with a letter of introduction, he went to the house of a rich Swiss banker to ask for employment. He was friendless, timid and careworn, and the banker thinking him unfit for a clerk, told him that he had no room for him in his office.

The lad left the banker's richly gilded room with a sad heart. While crossing the court yard, with drooping head, he saw a pin on the ground; he stooped down, took it up, and placed it carefully in the corner of his coat. He didn't think at the time that this act, so trifling in itself, would be the turning point in his life, and the means of his future splendid success.

The banker saw from the window what had taken place; and attaching great importance to trifles, he was impressed by the circumstance. He thought that any young man who would take care of a pin, would surely make a good clerk, and merit the trust and good wishes of his employer.

The same evening, Laffitte received a note from the banker, offering him a situation in his counting-room, and asking him to come and fill the situation at once.

The discerning banker was not deceived in his hopes, for he soon found that the young pin saver possessed all the good qualities he expected. From a clerk, Laffitte soon advanced to cashier, and at length was received into partnership, and afterwards became the owner of the largest bank in Paris, and one of the richest men in the world. He was not only rich, generous, great and powerful, but was chosen a deputy of the people, and made President of the Council of Ministers, and was in every respect the most influential citizen of France.