The Columbian fountain., 1846-02-09
MISCELLANEOUS. s.
ECO N O M Y

thing be lost, which can be OF use, said
Mrs Marsh to her daughter, as she was
about to consign to the flames sundry odd
bits and ends, of various colors and sizes,
which she had thrown upon the carpet dur
ing her morning's employment of sewing.
What signifies few little pieces of
cloth, mother
These are not uery little pieces, my
dear, said Mrs. Marsh, drawing from Lau-
ra's reluctant hand several Of respectable
size, and holding them up to her view.
z And even if they were, SO many wasted
every day in every family, would signify a
good deal to the paper manufacturers and
the worth Of them in the course of a year,
might possibly signify even to Miss Marsh
i am sure, mother, you cannot expect
me to trouble my head about the paper ma
kers; and all the scraps could save in
year, would not be worth sixpence.
Il assure you, my daughter, do expect
you to trouble your head about whatever
concerns the interest and welfare of others,
even though II should cost you as great an
effort as the saving your paper rags. How
much the world is indebted to the manu-
facturers Of paper, Isuppose both you and
your friends understand, (glancing at a
young lady who had sat silently listening
to the conversation;) and even if their va
ue were but one sixpence a year, that is
too much TO be wasted; but know from
long experience in housekeeping, that it is
several. recommend to you to save eve
ry scrap that is good for nothing else, for
the paper mills.
Save even your basting threads to use
again. she continued, while she busted
herself in collecting several long threads
which were adhering to the before-men-
toned pieces, and, like them, destined to
the flames. Save, in short, for one year
the numberless Hnle things you are in the
daily habit Of wasting; keep an exact ac-
count of all /; and at the end of the year,
put the amount into your charity purse;
am confident you will find your power Of
doing good considerably increased by it.
Ii | thought, mother, the sum saved
would be at all worth the while, am sure
should be willing to take some pains for
such purpose
We'll, my dear, which do you doubt,
my judgment, or my word, upon the sub
iect'
Neither, dear mother, answered Laura,
coloring; am sure you know best; and
know you never speak what you do not
think. If you please, will begin o-day,
and try TO follow your Recommendation
through the year.
Elizabeth Sutherland, their young visi-
ter, had risen during this discussion, and
stood, rather impatienlly awaiting its con-
clusion.
I'VE will go out TO walk with Elizabeth
now,' said Mrs. Marsh, smiling if her
patience, which am sure is exemplary,
will hold out till we can fetch our hats
and parasols.
What stingy woman Mrs. Marsh is,
said Elizabeth Sutherland to her mother,
when she came home. Mrs. Sutherland
gave no signs ofacquiescence in this opinion;
and the young lady, after waiting what she
thought reasonable time, asked rather
impatiently, Don't you think SO, mother"
mo- answered Mrs. Sutherland
Then don't know what stinginess is
dSTe6 Will you tHeTe, eHtiTely, an
swered the mother, smiling.
Elizabeth colored, even to her temples.
If you knew what know of Mrs.
Marsh, mother, am almost sure you would
think as | do about her.
ENay, my daughter, she has been my
best friend more years than you have liv-
ed in the world. All this time have
known her for liberal and judicious eco
nomist; and cannot believe she is at once
changed into 50 vile character
Liberal economist, mother! is not that
an odd phrase do not think liberality
and economy can ever be joined together
mo, my dear because you have not
right ideas of these virtues. You call
economy, stinginess, and extravaganza
iberality, suppose. The truth is, they
are not at all allied to each other. Econo-
my is careful not to waste, but does not
grudge to use the bountes of Providence
to use or aoaste is alike painful to stinginess.
Economy sapes, that she may open
wide her hand to the sons and daughters
Of want; stinginess sapes, that he may
hoard Economy is careful that the ex-
pendilure does not exceed the income, and
that every shilling goes for something re-
ally wanted; stinginess grudges the most
necessary expenses, and will almost deny
himself food and raiment, that he may lag
up the money which should purchase it,