The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-03-22
LIVING WITHIN THE MEANS.

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ness. At the end of year, he felt author
lied to rent small house, and begin house
keeping. Their arrangements were as eco.
nomical as possible and on this occasion,
uncle Joshua, who was first consulted, very
kindly gave them more money than ad-
vice.
! Now, indeed, our young couple felt hap
py. There is something in home that gives
dignity to life. The man, who can say mJ
home and mytdmily, possesses the strongest
influence that can operate on character.
1t was a cold evening in December that
they took possession of their little tenement
The first flight of snow was just beginning
to fall, and the dark clouds were separated
from the horizon by pale streak ef blue,
watery light; but within the little parlor, all
was bright and cheerful. The fire sent its
flickering beams throughout the apartment,
enlvlng the books and the furniture and
resting on the cheerful faces of the young
couple, now radiant with happiness.
What do we want more 2 said Jane,
as they seated themselves at the tca-tabe
All the world could not make US happier
than we are now
There is great satisfaction said Frank,
in having earned our comforts.
Franks sphere of business continued to
enlarge. He no longer trudged about on
foot, but purchased horse and chaise and
his Ieaden weight with it, TO give his horse
hint to wait his masters pleasure. In
short, he was acknowledged as one of the
faculty, by his brother physicians, and Of
course, man Of consequence. The COM
forts ofllfe gradually increased, though they
did not lose sight of the principle with which
they set out, of living within their means.
The close of every year left them a small
ovcrplus, which was scrupulously invested
for capital.
We fear there are few who cincerely re-
peat Give me neither poverty nor riches
This was the situation to which Frank
had attained. Blest with health, prom
ising fanaily, respected as Il physician, and
cherished as a friend with the wife of his
youth, the partner and lghtner Of his cares,
it seemed as if there was little more to
desire. We talk of the blessing of an amia-
ble disposition I; what is it but the serenity
of mind at peace with itself,-of mind
that is contsnted with its own lot, and which
coveis not another's? They sometimes
made n morning call at the houses of the
rich and fashionable (; but Jane looked at
The splendid apartments with vacant admir-
alton. 1t never for a moment entered her
head that she should like such herself She
returned home 10 take her seat by the side
of the cradle, to caress one child, and pro-
vide for the wants of another with feeling
IEat nobody was so rich as herself.
LIVING UP TO THE MEANS.
The neiehborhood into which they had
moved was a fashionable one and our city
has not yet attained the happy eminence of
not knowing who lives in the same block
Of buildings with us. Most of these left
card and now and then a wandering n-
vltation reached them, for ball but it was
subject to no discussion. Frank wrote a
regret, when leisure moment came for
Jane was little in the habit ofusing her pen !;
and to those who are not, even answering
note is work of magnitude. Their next
door neighbors were the ds,-and Mrs
Reed and Jane soon became familiar friends.
1t was the first really stylish family into
which Jane had become initiated. Ii GER
tainly opened new world to her. She saw
forms and ceremonies used, of which she
had no conception. She learnt that nap
kins and silver forks were essential to her
dinner table that Mrs. Reed could not use
a steel fork ; consequently, other people
could not. In these and various other things
Jane became an apt scholar. The conse-
quence was, that their expenses gradually
increased. Yet there were luxuries for
which Jane could only sigh for she felt
that they we're far beyond her; for instance,
Brussels carpets and pier glasses, and above
ell, a centre-lamp.
How rich the Reeds must be = said she
one evening, when they returned from a
visit they had been making there.
You are mistaken said Frank ) Mr..
Reeds Income is but very little more than
ours
Not more than ours p said Jane then
how can he afford to furnish his house 80
elegantly r
Il protest don't know said Frank
but he says his wife is an excellent man.
ager. wish, Jane, you would find out how
they contrivs the matter, and perhaps, we
can take leaf out of their book
Mrs. Reed was Of course consulted.-
She advised Jane to cut down the wages Of
her servants-to send their children to
cheaper schools or instruct them a, home
and to make as much sho,o as possible
with the money thus saved.
Though Jane did not entirely trust to
Mrs. Reeds opinions as to teachers and
schools, on many others she yielded implici,
Difference. The consequence was, that from
a simple dressed woman, she soon became
a fashionable lady, bonneted and bonded
d-id-moie, and even to her own surprise, a
hne, stylish looking woman. Frank, who
had hitherto only nnnreciated his xife,a