Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-03-17
TERMS: - SO i'm advance.
WHOLE NO. 1873.
A SKETCH OF REAL LIFE
TRUE ECONOMY.

TRUE ECONOMY.
A. a musical soiree last winter at the snlen.
did mansion of thriving merchant, and with
al a man of taste and liberality, we were struck
with the magniicence which met our eyes in
every direction. The highly polished mahoga-
ny doors-the ponderous and beautiful Egyp-
tan marble mantle piece-the rich Wilton
and royal carpets-highly polished chairs and
Enthusiastically carved and gilt cornices
per gasses-suspending girandoles-sa
curtalns-all after the fashion of Henry w.
The drawing rooms were filled 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 last ?" we said to our.
selves, together with reflections which pressed
upon US as to the rapid manner we gain and
get md OF fortunes in this city. How like
rocket we ascend and descend!
One day last week we took ride in light
IockaWay over one of the delightful roads on
Long Island, TO catch little air and an appe-
Tile Tor dinner. and stopped 10 look at an ltal-
ian cottage with green Ventian piazettas and
porttos' IN neat taste, surrounded by white
Pa,ling' and nled with shrubbery-a cheap,
light homestead, with some fields of corn and
Whlie gazing on the simplicity, cheerfulness,
and comfort of the premises, we were reused
by hearing some one call OUT Halo. stran
ger!' and on looking discovered ii to be our
worthy host Of - Place He wore a tweed
jacket and manila hat.
:: Come, alight and see my improvements, -
said he
Il must go down TO town to dinner-it
will be late.''
q 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 liv-
| ing IN sPlendor, | could not refuse his bread
and salt under adverse circumstanccs-so / a.
| lighted and walked into the par!or! What ii
change A pIalnl y furnished cottage, cane
bottomed chairs, wooden mantle pieces and
plated candle>tlcks, mahogany framed look
ing lass, an eight day clock in The corner; and
table-how plain White delf plates, black
glass blown at the New Jersey gIass-works,
and salt-ceIlars dear at sixpence. The dinner
was plain but gooj-the vegetables fresh
the bread home baked-and we were waited
upon by a strapping girl with significant
squint. The hostess of the late prnceIy man.
sion looked fresh and ruddy, in cross barred
muslin dress and bobinet cap. She was cheer
FIJI and happy. Over a glass of Madeira
the remnant of better days-we talked of nu-
meron5 subjects, and philosophical with all
possible dencacy upon the admirable manner
they bore the change in their condition The
lady stared, and the host, rolling out volume
of smoke from principle cigar, exclaimed
with surprise
"Why, my dear fellow, did you suppose
was broke-Smashed--go over the dam
Ell? Oh no, no! This change you see is
not owing to any reverse of fortune-my bu.
sness is as prosperous as ever. | did not wal;
till bankruptcy overlook me; but considering
our children, our future prosperity, and the
obligations due TO society and good example
we agreed 10 spend 81 500 per annum in the
contented manner you see US, instead of 81 >,
900 in the giddy mazes of fashion. ride &c
town to attend to ny business-work in my
garden-have plain and substantial cheer
bake my own bread-make my own butter
lay my own eggs and have glass Of wine fol
an old frend''
Here was not only change, but an i'm
provement-a cheap augmentation of happi
ness-a true and sensible economy-promi
sing rich results, and worthy OF imitation.
d. NJ Noah