Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-05-19
CHAPTER II.

! ne next Gay lle lfleHuS reHulueu IL
The counting house after the usual hours OF
closing, for the purpose Of conversation.
II have been thinking" said George
"of your inquiry last evening, and inclined
to suppose from it that you had some idea
OF suggesting an increase OF my salary
am sensible Of the kindness Of your inten
ton, but have no doubt the firm will dc
what is light at a proper time without any
hint, and | am very well con;ented al
ready"
Edward heard him out with smile, end
shaking his head. replied.
"You give me too much credit for good
intentions. The object Of my inquiry was
merely in the expectation of solution to
problem; but your answer only made il
more ntricate."
Cannot | assist you? l have dipped a
little into Euclid.'
81 believe you can, without tho help of
algebra or geometry; and | now request
you will, for | am fairly at nonplus.'
Well, | will see what | can do,'' said
George taking up a slate and pencil
''WelI in the first place." said Edward
81 understand that you have no source of
income beyond salary Of six hundred a
year; out of which you pay a pretty good
rent. so far as | can Judge from accomo-
dations."
'Onlv hundred an fifty"
"And that leaves just four hundred and
fifty for all your other expenses. You
have q wife and three children to provide
for. Your house is we'll furnished; your
family are well dressed, your table is well
provided; your children are well educat ed
You do not appear TO deny yourself any
rational and elegant amusement; and in
ore respect you even indulge in luxury
Of taste, Nay, you have been able to O.
blige me with considerable loan, and TO
ava patiently for its return. Is no, this
all trueP'
Il thankfully admit H."
son the other hand, | have no one TO
provide for but myself, and my salary is a
thousand year. Yet somehow am con-
,inually getting into embarrasmen's, find
no hing saved at the years end, on look
ing back do not find that | have realized
more enjoyment, nor as much as you APP
pear to enjoy. Your six hundred appeurs
TO be more than my thousand; there is the
pro'lem.'
and you have applied to the right
quarter for solution, for it is one that
have had occasion to make out myself. In
my bachelor days found my expenses OK
ceeding my income, and was obliged 10 de.
ny myself some indulgence ofmy more re-
! fined tastes, by scarcity of funds. Still
never thought Of the practicabiity Of a
better state Of affairs, till | happened &c
see lady whose amiable qualities engaged
my affections. 1t was obvious, even to me
that before inviting her TO share my for
tunes, ought 20 have some fortune &c
share. But where was 1t 10 come tromj
| applied for an increase Of salary, bu
without success. | then began to consider
whether should not reduce my expenses
and for the next Two months keep an &C
count of them, living at my usual rate -
AT the end of that time, examined the &C
count. | found that for board and fo
clothing had not expended more thaI
was reasonable and proper, that the a
mount Of these items fell far short Of m.
other expenses"
/ fray, Wnat are tHey
"Cigars, wines, mint julcps, standby
treats"
..O,I begin to understand"
Il now seriously examined myself hos
fur any of these items was a necessar.
texDenditure. and how far they had eontr
bu,ed TO my enjoyment | was compelle
10 acknowledge | had not made, nor de
served TO make any reel friends. by treat
ling them to what each would-have prov
ded for himself for couple of shilling
while the aggregate expense had emptIe
nv pockets; and the enjoyment had ger
leraliv been marred by riot, quarrellne
and subsequent sickness. Satisfied on In