LUCKY THIRTEENTH CHILD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1683, 8 March 1917, Page 4

LUCKY THIRTEENTH CHILD.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES OP lIIS LIFE,

Thirteen is not always? unlucky, and Robert Brain, leather seller, who lived to the age of 80, and was buried at Croydon, boasted that he was the thirteenth child of his parents, “and Ihe lucky one.” He leaves a fortune which may possibly run into six figures. Forty years ago he succeeded to the business of his parents, and began property speculation. By shrewd bargaining his wealth rapidly increased, and it is said that his property in Croydon alone yields £BOO a year in rates to-day. Here are some of the guiding principles of his life:— Lived frugally. Read the Bible daily. Kept his deeds at home, “where they were as safe as at a bank.” Hid not smoke. Half-day trips to the seaside his only holidays. Kever allowed a pound to remain idle. Did his own shopping. When tired, resorted to milk, with

a little whisky in it, as a pick-me-

up. Did not sleep out of his house for 50 years. Seldom missed chapel twice on Sundays. Wore old-fashioned clothes. Every detail of his property had his personal attention. According to his wish, the funeral was “plain, but good,” without flowers.