Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-07-27
81 CAN DO WITHOUT 1T"


world, or one of the worst according
TO the meaning attached to it; which
will appear. from the conduct OF tn E
young people who were acquainted
with each other; each OF whom hap
pened to take the above sentence in
20 frequent use Eliza disllked and
rinicuied the manner in which it was
| applied by Ruth; and Ruth could not
but disapprove of the way in which il
was used by Eliza. The purpose to
which Ruth appropriated the words,
and the way ia which she came to
adopt them as motto, shall be ex.
planned in the present paper.
Her parents were persons of supe-
rior education, bot their Income was
limited and narrow; so that they were
compelled by their good sense TO study
economy. Ruth entered into the pru
dent and sensible views of her parents
at an early age; and her general con
dict gave them SO much satisfaction,
that on the day she was fourteen, her
mother informed her that from that
time she should be entrusted with the
purchase and entire management of
her own dress and that her annual
allowance would be increased accord
ingIy. The sum now allotted to her
was such as her mother considered
sufficient, with prudence and manage.
ment, to meet all her real wants and
reasonable wishes.
When Ruth received her first quar-.
terage, the possession of a sum of mo.
ney so much larger than she had ever
been mistress of before, made her feel
little giddy. However, she deposit
ed it safely in her desk, resolving
not to touch it till it was really want.
ed. Economy, her mother told her,
did not consist in gfudging to supply
our wants, but in restraining the desire
for superfluities. Not many days af
ter she had entered upon this new re
sPonsibiity, Ruth accompanied her
father and mother 90 a neigh boring
market town, where they frequently
went TO make purchases, as they lived
in the country. She had often been with
them on former occasions: but If was
with sensations entirely new that she
now walked through the busy streets
OF this town, and passed its long rows
Of well furnished shops Heretofore
she had surveyed the various tempting
articles they exhibited merely as an
musiug spectacle; AMI with no more
idea of possessing them than one has
of purchasing the curiosities of ma.
scum. But now circumstances were
altered. Here were things, and pretty
things too, that she might have ii she
pleased. And this thought, notwiih
standing Ruth's prudent temper and
good resolutions, presenteditselfto her
mind lemptlngly.
The first thing that struck her as a
real desideratum was a steel purse,
of which she saw several glittering in
jewellers window. There were al.
so silver ones, but of these she did
not allow herself to think. A new
purse now that she had so much more
to 10 with money, appeared very suit,
able for a FIRST purchase.
Mamma, said she, touching her
mothers elbow. would you stop one
minute? / think | should like one of
those purses Her mother, who was
aware that this days excursion would
prove rather trying to her daughters
prudence, replied, yes, 4 will stop
minute; but we will wait here, that
Won may have time to consider before
you go in, whether you qodnt a new
purse TO be sure said Ruth, after
moments thought, i have my old
silk one, but then--ah well, !
can do quifhOut al she added, and
without giving another look at the shop
window, she FASTENED on
Now said her mother. you have
saved Eve or SIX shiIiings, by that mo
ment's consideration.
Al iiis time b-sver hats. trimmed
'S'ih safiiD. were nssch worn. Ther.
.ass a capital ilaiieris in town wher,
40 barge how "a frdows, fornishe.
with every gssleiy ef shade ard shane