Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1849-03-22

oe almost entirely beyond his ability.
Al home, this poor feeling of Mr. Preston
manifested itself in various forms, all in some
way or other, abridging the comforts his famiI,
were entliled by virtue of his real ability. te
enjoy.
Mr.. Preston started in life with the purpose
ofscqurng property. Never, since his earliest
recollection, had he felt otherwise than poor
and consequently, unable 10 enjoy the good
things OF life, with which so many around him
were blessed. The means possessed in the
present. were never adequate to bring within
his grasp such things as he desired; and, there.
fore, he felt always TOO poor 10 indulge in The
blessings appropriate to his true external con-
dl,on. When his income was a thousand dol
lars year, he restricted himself and family 10
an expenditure Of FIVE hundred; and when i,
VAS three Thousand, the limit Of expense was
one thousand. Nov, he was reaping an annual
profit Of at least five thousand dollars, and was
actually worth thirty thousand dollars; and We,
he fell poorer than he did five years before
and was troubled In ais mind at the though, of
being under the rulnous expense Of fifteen hun
dred dollars year for the support of his family
"lf were rich man." was, next to "I'm
too poor for that" his commones, form of ex-
preston. And he was never called upon to
expend dollar, except in the way Of business,
wlhou, feeling of reluctance at parting with
the money, amounting almost 10 pain. Wealth
was. in his eyes, the creates, good, and its
possession the means of bringing the highest
earthly happiness. Yet. as far as his expert.
ence went, it con,radicted this idea entirely !;
for The better off in the world he became, the
more was he inwardly dissatisfied. and the
more eagarly did he grasp for still larger pos.
sessions. His error was like that of far too
many others. He imagined that wealth in IL
self would bring a state of mental tranquility
peace of mind that nothing could disturb
And he believed also, that after he had become
rich, he would use his riches for the procure
meni Of all the good things for himself and fam
lily that The earth had to offor. While he was
poor, self-denial was felt 10 be a virtue when
be became rich, he mean, 10 be liberal 10 him
self and Others.
And so the world went on with, Mr.. Archi-
bald Preston. Yearly he added house 10 house,
and dollar TO dollar. Blu, he was still, in feel
ing, poor man. Ii really hurt him 10 par,
with shilling and almost every luxury his
family enjoyed was wrung from him by his
pride, or yielded 10 an importantly that he had
not the moral power to Withstand. His health
was suffering through prolonged application 10
business, and he felt the necessity for reaxa.
ZION. If he could have gone away alone, al
the lime friend suggested, as has been seen.
to visit the sea.shore, he would have gone and
taken cheap boarding in some private family
for week or two. Bur that economical way
OF doing the thing was out of the question for
his wife had deen urging him. year after year,
10 take her 10 Cape May, Saratoga, or some
other summer resort and if he wen. for his
healih, she must, of course, 60 along. And this
would make the trip far more expensive than
he felt able 10 afford So he denied himself
on this ground. When he was able, even in
his own estimation, TO make his wife CON-
panion in the long-lhoughI-of and desired sum
mer recrearions, another drawback to the en-
ioyment was al hand. Three daughters had
come so near TO the estate Of womanhood, that
the leaving them al home. as Indifferent parties
10 such an arrangement, was out OF the ques-
liou And to take them along would make The
expense entirely too great. Their school bills.
music bills, and bills for various private lessons
in the languages, etc., were really appalling toI
the father, and kept him, all the time. with
poor feeling abou, his heart. 70 add to The
annual cos, of living, already alarmingy grea',
by fashionable trip 10 The springs OF the sea
shore, was not TO be though. Of for moment.
"Bui," urged Mrs. Preston, who was more
impor,unate than usual, sit is absolutely neces-
ssry for you 10 take some relaxation from busi
ness. Aud am sure we can afford the ex-
pense far better than the Melvlles, who 60
10 Saratoga, Newporl, or somewhere else every
season"
"As for that" replied the husband. 81 am OF
opinion that The Melyilles had much better
stay al home. To my certain knowledge. Mel
vile is always short for money and rarely
succeeds in getting note out Of bank without
borrowing from some one. believe am worth
Iwo dollars 10 his one, If the truth were known. /
Dut can't afford the ex,rasagances in which
be INDUCES"
"a couple of hundred dollars, once in your
ife.ume," said Mrs. Preston, in reply TO this
.Igument, 81 am sure, cant hurt you. For
more ihan twenty years you have been lngging
II ihs oar of business. without SO much as q
weeks relaxation and | think i. is a pity if t
,ou can't take liule enjoyment now. What's
he use of money. if not 10 enlarge our COM
orts %
"Two hundred dollars indeed! If il were
10, going 10 oos, any more than this would