Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-07-30

tie Willie, sat down to her sewing.
| "My name," he said /" is William Carter
My father died when was young, and was
bound out an apprentice to a shoemaker, with
the usual provision of schooling. did as well
as boys do generally at school; and as was
very fond Of reading, l made the most of my
spare time and the advantages Of the Apprenti-
ces' Library. Probably the books that helped
me most were the sensible writings of William
Cobbett. Following his example, l determined
to give myself useful education, and have to
some extent succeeded. But q mans education
is lifelong process and the more learn, the
more see before me.
81 was hardly out of my time when fell in
love with my Mary there, whom some people
think very pretty, but whom know to be very
good"
Mary looked up with such bright, loving
smile, as to fully justify some people in their
ton.
"When had been one year journeyman,
and laid up few dollars Qor had strong mo-
tive to be saving,) we were married board
ed at her fathers and she bound shoes for the
shop where | worked. We lived few weeks
at her home but it was not our home-the
home we wanted-sO we determined to set up
housekeeping. 1t was rather small set up, but
|
hunting. Some were too dear, some too shah
by. At last l found this place. 1t was new and
clean, high and airy, and thought it would do.
| got it for fifty dollars year-and though the
rents all round advanced, our landlord is satis-
fed with that, or takes it in preference to risk
ing a worse tenant. The place was naked
enough, and we had little to put in it save our
selves but we went cheerfully to work, earned
all we could, saved all we could-and you see
the result"
81 see; but confess do not understand it."
said |, willing to hear him explain the economies
Of this modest and beautiful home.
"Well, it is simple enough. When Mary and
| moved ourselves here and took possession,
with table, two chairs, cooking stove, a sauce
pan or two, and cot bed with straw mattress,
the first thing we did was to hold council of
war; Now, Mary, my loves said |, here we
are. We have next to nothing, and we have
every thing to get, and nobody but ourselves to
help ourselves"
We found that we could earn, on an average,
eight dollars week. We determined 10 live as
cheaply as possible, save all we could, and make
us home. Our rent was one dollar week
1 our fuel, light, water-rent, and some little mat
ters dollar more. We have allowed the same
amount for our clothing. and by buying the best
things, and keeping them carefully, we dress
well enough for that Even my wife is satisf-
ed with her wardrobe and finds that raw silk at
six shilngs yard is cheaper, in the long run,
than calico at one shilling. That makes three
dollars week, and we had still our living to
pay for. That cost us, with three in our family,
just one dollar week more.
"One dollar apiece"
"No-one dollar for ALL You seem surpris-
4 hat Loxa Il - t.
cost more at first, but now we have learned to
live both better and cheaper-so that we have
a clear surplus of four dollars week, after pay
ing all expenses of rent, fire. light, water, cloth
ing and food. do not count our luxuries, such
as an evening at the theatre, concert, or lit
tie treat to our friends when we give party"
know smile came over my face, for he con-
tinued:
ayes, give party; and we have some pleas
ant ones, l assure you. Sometimes we have a
dozen guests, which is quite enough for comfort,
and our treat Of chocolate, cakes, blanc-mange,
etc., costs as much as two dollars but this is
not very often. Out of our surplus, which comes
you see, to two hundred dollars year-we
have bought all you see, and have money in the
bank"
81 see it ALL" said L" all but the living
Many mechanic spends more than that for ci-
gars, to say nothing of liquor. Pray tell me pre-
cisely how you live."
"With pleasure First of all, then, smoke
no cigars and chew no tobacco, and Mary takes
no snuff"
Here the pleasant smile came in, but there
was no interruption Sfor Mary seemed to think
her husband knew what he was about and could
talk very we'll without her aid.
al have not drank glass of liquor since the
day was married, except glass of wine about
four times year, on Christmas, New Years,
Fourth of July, and Wilies birthday. The last
is our especial holiday. I have read enough phys
iology to make up my mind that tea and coffee
contained no nutriment, and were poisons be-
side; and tried vegetable diet long enough
to like it better than mixed one, and to find
that it agreed with me better and as we have
read and experimental together, of course Mary
thinks as do"
"But what do you eat and drink 2" asked,
curious to see how far this selftaught philoso-
pher had progressed in the laws of health.
"Come this way, and / will show you," he
said taking light and leading the way into a
capacious store-room. Here, first of all, is a
mill, which cost me twelve shilings. 1t grinds
all my grain gives me the freshest and most
beautiful meal, and saves tolls and profit. This
is a barrel of wheat. | buy the best, and am
sure that il is clean and Dood II cOsts less