Who Are Happiest? and Other Stories

In Short

This volume presents a series of instructive short stories designed to guide young readers toward moral maturity. Rather than focusing on childish whims, the narratives depict the trials of adults—merchants, laborers, and socialites—to demonstrate the consequences of selfishness, vanity, and pride. Through these vignettes, the author illustrates a consistent belief: that external circumstances, such as wealth or poverty, are secondary to the internal state of one’s heart. It remains a poignant, if didactic, artifact of Victorian-era domestic literature, emphasizing empathy, integrity, and the pursuit of spiritual growth.

The Story

The collection opens with "Who Are Happiest?", which introduces a humble laborer, Mr. Aiken, who finds himself envious of a wealthy neighbor’s lifestyle. His wife, Mrs. Aiken, gently corrects him, arguing that wealth often multiplies anxieties rather than peace. This theme of misplaced value permeates the subsequent stories. We see the tragic trajectory of young Dick Lawson, who starts by stealing baby birds for a few coins and training his dog to be vicious; his unchecked cruelty eventually leads him to commit burglary, ending in a three-year prison sentence that ruins his life.

In "The Means of Enjoyment," a retired merchant named Mr. Alexander attempts to buy happiness through art and luxury, only to find that his most profound joy comes from imagining a small act of charity—helping a widow’s child. Yet, strangely, he fails to act on this realization, remaining trapped by his own self-centeredness. Similarly, "What Five Dollars Paid" examines how a delayed payment ripples through a community of working-class neighbors, causing localized hardship until the debt is finally settled.

"Thin Shoes" serves as a cautionary tale about vanity and health. Miss Lizzy Walton, a young woman who refuses to wear protective boots because they are "clumsy," catches a cold that turns into fatal consumption. Her uncle’s grief serves as a somber reminder of the physical cost of ignoring practical wisdom. The final stories explore the social dynamics of rumor and gossip, where characters like Ellen Gray and Flora Mere navigate the fallout of false accusations. Throughout these pieces, the narrative arc consistently steers away from material success, focusing instead on the "eternal ends" of human action. The collection concludes with a Socratic dialogue between a father and his children, clarifying that God’s providence does not equate to material wealth, but rather to the shaping of the soul for a higher purpose.

How It Unfolds

The mirror of envy Mr. Aiken, a hardworking man, feels discontented with his humble life after witnessing the material losses of a wealthy neighbor. His wife points out that his inner restlessness would remain, regardless of his bank account, because his heart seeks external validation rather than internal peace.

The descent of a bully Dick Lawson begins by trading a stolen bird for pocket money and teaching his dog to maim others, gaining the approval of a corrupt older man. This path of unchecked aggression leads him to rob a secretary and face a court trial, effectively discarding his potential for a productive life.

The futility of luxury Mr. Alexander, having amassed a fortune, attempts to retire into a life of leisure but finds that his money cannot buy genuine contentment. He recognizes that true satisfaction lies in benevolence, yet he remains too self-absorbed to fully embrace the life of service that would bring him peace.

The cost of vanity Young Lizzy ignores her uncle’s pleas to wear sturdy shoes, choosing fashion over health in the damp winter streets. This seemingly small decision triggers a physical decline that leads to her tragic, early death, illustrating how pride can manifest in fatal ways.

The resolution of character The final section shifts to the social and spiritual realm, where characters learn to address gossip with transparency and seek truth. The narrative culminates in a reflective dialogue that strips away the myth that wealth is a sign of divine favor, refocusing the reader on the internal development of the soul.

The People

• Mr. Aiken: A laboring man who initially confuses happiness with wealth. His transformation occurs through his wife’s wisdom, as he begins to see that his current life possesses a tranquility that his affluent neighbor lacks.
• Dick Lawson: A boy whose early tendencies toward animal cruelty and fighting are encouraged by a bad mentor, leading him to become a hardened criminal. He serves as a stark example of how character flaws, if left uncorrected, inevitably lead to self-destruction.
• Mr. Alexander: A wealthy merchant who wants to enjoy his riches but finds them hollow. Though he glimpses the joy of giving, he remains a tragic figure because he values his collection of paintings more than the transformative act of helping others.
• Lizzy Walton: A beautiful and high-spirited young woman whose stubborn vanity regarding her appearance leads to her physical undoing. She represents the fragility of life and the danger of ignoring the practical counsel of those who care for us.
• Mr. Monto: A man who acts as a foil to other characters; he is irascible and harsh toward his subordinates. His story serves as a lesson in the long-term impact of personal cruelty on both the victim and the perpetrator’s own conscience.

In Its Own Voice

"If wealth were sought for unselfish ends, then it would make its possessor happy."

Mrs. Aiken explains to her husband that the nature of one’s desires, rather than the wealth itself, determines whether one finds peace.

"A great many people believe that the Lord's Providence, which is over us all, even to the smallest things, has reference to our worldly well-doing."

A father corrects his children’s misconceptions about religion, arguing that true spiritual growth is distinct from material prosperity.

"Some one has beautifully said--'We only possess what we have bestowed.'"

The narrator reflects on the lesson of the retired merchant, suggesting that one’s true wealth is measured by what they have given away.

What It's Really About

The book explores the tension between worldly ambition and spiritual integrity. Its central argument is that happiness is not a byproduct of external circumstances—such as business success or social standing—but an internal condition governed by the quality of one’s actions. The stories suggest that "eternal ends" should dictate human conduct, implying that the choices one makes in the present are the foundation for the soul’s state in the hereafter. It is a treatise on the necessity of self-governance and the idea that true prosperity is found in benevolence rather than accumulation.

Why Read It Today

This collection will appeal to readers who enjoy classic, moralistic fiction and are interested in the Victorian preoccupation with character and social conduct. The prose is clear, earnest, and deeply rooted in a world where personal responsibility is paramount. It feels like a quiet, steady conversation from a bygone era, offering a sense of stability and moral clarity that can be quite refreshing, even if its tone is decidedly didactic.

Modern readers should be aware that the book reflects the period's rigid social hierarchies and a binary worldview where people are often neatly categorized as "good" or "evil" based on their actions. The language occasionally includes outdated attitudes regarding discipline and the role of "Providence," which may feel restrictive or simplistic to contemporary sensibilities. Furthermore, the stories often dwell on the grim consequences of small mistakes—such as Lizzy’s fatal cold—which highlights a cultural emphasis on caution and obedience that can feel heavy-handed. However, for those who appreciate the historical context of childhood education and the development of American moral literature, these stories provide a fascinating window into how virtues like empathy and honesty were once taught as the bedrock of a life well-lived.