The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1848-05-26
Darious 1flatters.
True EcOmOmy--A Sketch Of Real
Life.

At a musical soiree last winter at the
splendid mansion of thriving merchant,
and witha man of taste and liberality,
we were struck with the magnificence
which met our eyes in every direc-
tion. The highly polished mahogany
doors-the ponderous and beautiful Egyp.
tian marble mantle. pieces--the rich Will
ton and royal carpets highly polished
chairs and divans--elaborately carved
and gilt ltcornices- pier glasses--suspend'
ing girandoes--satin curtains all after
the fashion of Henry w. The drawing
rooms were filed with elegantly dressed
ladies and gentlemen, and the supper and
refreshments presented scene of rich
ness and luxury only to be looked for
from persons of overgrown fortune.
How long can this lastl" we said to
ourselves together with reflections which
pressed upon us as to the rapid manner
we gain and get rid of fortunes in this
city. How like rocket we ascend and
descend.
One day last week we took ride in a
light rockway over one of the delightful
roads on Long Island to catch little air
and an appetite for dinner, and stopped
to look at an Italian cottage with green
Veui,ian piazettas and porticos, neat
taste, surrounded by white paling, and
filled with shrubbery-a cheap light
homestead with some fields of corn and
potatoes and a patch of wheat in the dis
lance. While gazing on the simplicity,
cheerlulness, and comfort ofthe premises,
we we're aroused by hearing some one
call out--"Hallo. strangell" and on look
ing discovered it to be our worthy host Of
-Place.-He wore tweed jacket
and manila hat.
"Come. aight and see my improve
ments," said he.
"Imust go down to dinner it will be
too late"
"No you don't. My dinner is just
ready, and you shall dine with me. Here,
Toney, take the gentleman's horse"
Having enjoyed his hospitality while
living in splendor, could not refuse his
bread and salt under adverse circumstan-
ces-so | alighted and walked into the
parlor! What change! A plainly fin
ished cottage, ,cane-botlomed chairs, wood
en- mantle pieces and plated candlestcks,
mahogany framed looking-glass, an light
day clock in the corner, and map or
two on the walls. Then the dinner ta-
BILE how plain? White delf plates, black.
handled knives and forks, tumblers and
wine-glasses blown at the New Jersey
glass. works, and saltcellars dear at six
pence. The dinner was plain but good
the vegetables fresh-lhe bread home
baked-and we were waited upon by a
strapping girl with significant squint
The hostess of the late princely mansion
looked fresh and ruddy,in cross barred
muslin dress and bobinett cap. She was
cheerful and happy. Over glass of a
Madeira-ihe remnant of better days
we talked ofnumerous subjects, and phi
losophied with all possible deicacy upon
the admirable manner they bore the
change in their condition.-The lady
stared, and the host rolling out volume
ofsmoke from principe cigar, exclaim-
ed, with surprise-"Why my dear fellow,
did you suppose | was broke-smashed
gone over the dam-ehl Oh! no, mol
This change you see is not owiRg to any
reverse of fortune-my business is as
prosperous as ever. / did not wait till
bankruptcy overlook me; but considering
our children, our future prosperity, and
the obligations due to society and good
example. we agreed to spend 81 800 pei
annum in the contented manner you see
us, instead of $15,0 900 in the giddy mazes
of fashion. Iride to town to attend to my
business--work in the garden-have
plain and substantial cheer--bake my
own bread-make my own butter-lay
my own eggs-and have glass of wine
for an old friend"
Here was not only change but an i'm
provement a cheap augmentation ofhap'
piness-a true and sensible economy
promising rich results, and worthy Of imi
tation.--M. NJ. Noah.
VNo man is so poor but he can have
a liberal spirit; and no man is so rich bu