Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-11-06


daughter was courted. My wife says
"come, you arc rich now--yon kno"
Molly had nothing but what she spun,
and no other clothing has ever come into
our house, for any of us: Sally must be
fitted out little. She ought TO fare as
well as neighbor BIS Betty. l
must have some money to SO to town"
-" Well wife, it shall be as you think
best. | have never been stingy; but It
seems to me that what we spin at home
would do" However, wife goes TO town,
and returns home with calico gown,
calIiAanco petticoat, a set OF stone cups
and ssucers, half dozen pewter tea
l.poons, and tea kettle, things faaf had
,eyer been seen in ctr house before -
| They cost but litlle--I did not feel the
OK p onsr--se | said nothing-Sal'y was
as vel fitted off IS neighbor b.
Betty. In three years more my third
dau gher had Q sIork-end ~sddlng be-
ing concluded upon, wife comes egaln
for money, but wnen she returned what
did | see "A fine white gown, | think
they call'd it muzzleneu; a looking
glass chine ,ee- geoe heap OF rlbbsrd
land all the money gone. But this is
moi the worst Of il, MIR. Printer. Some
time before tie Marriage Of this last
daughter, and ever since, this charge in.
creased in my family besides all sorts
Of household furniture unknown to rs
before, clothing of every Sort IS bought,
and the whesl goes only Tor the purpose
of exchanging our own substantial home
spun for muzze-net, ribbands, tea, SUI
gar, &c. My butter, which would fetch
me quarter OF dolisr at market, is OK
pended at the tes-tabIe. Breakfast, which
used to taks but little time, when we
were satisfied ath milk and such like,
now takes my whole family on hour al
tea and coffee. My calves, lambs, pigs
and turkeys, which used also to bring
cash are now ea'sn al home, or, it sent
to market are brought home in fripPcry
$50 that, instead Of laying up hundred
and fifty dollars at the end of the year, !
find all my loose money is gonc--ny
best debts called in and spcnt--snd, be-
ing cranpt for want of resdy money, |
cannot carry on my business 10 any sort
of advantage. Ins,eed Of having money
al interest, ! am fifty or sixty dollsrs out
at the years Fl - R
Now, this has gone on for some years,
and brought hard times on me and my
family, and, if csnnot make change,
ruin must folloe-and my land must
go. A good msny Of my ueighbors are
in the same box" Hard. times with
them too" Nov Mr.. Printer don't
know fow you ive-may be you are
more careful than we are, and as most Of
US used to be: but | am still master in
my own house, and I am determined to
alter my way OF living to what il was for
merly. when | used to lay up a hundred
and fifty dollars a year, and had money
out at interest.--I know l can do it, for
| have got oil my land yet. With good
management it will yield me as much as
ever. Produce brings Scarce as money
isl as much as ever. No one thing to
eat, drink or wear, shall come into my
house, which is not raised among our
selves, except salt and iron work-No
more muzzle-net, no tea, sugar, coffee,
orrum-Thc tea kettle shall be sold. | I
shallthen Mr.. Printer, live comfortably,
and die with good conscience. MyI
youngest children and grsnd children
will see good example before them.
IF you viii tell my story (lnls proper
way mayhap it may york some good 20
Others, and you shsll have TIE lasting
thanks Of
Your Friend,
HuMpHnEy HoMrspuN.