The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-05-05

w
ing aworse tenant. The place was make
enough and we had lit.le 70 put in j, say
3 ourselves; but we went cheerfulIy to work
earned all We could, and saved ali we coul,
, --and you see the result.''
81 see; but confess do 1t understan,
It, said ], willing TO hear linn explain tn
= economies Of this modes and beautifu
, home.
Well it IS simple enough. Wher
Mary and l moved ourselves here an,
took possession, with table, two chairs
cooking stove, saucepan or two, and 8
cot-oed with straw mattress, the frs
thing we did WAS to hold a council of var
Now, May, my love, said here we are
we have next to nothing, and we have
everything to get and nobody but ourselves
to help ourselves.
We found that we could earn, on an
average eight dollars week. We deter.
mined to live as cheaply as possible, save
all we could, and make us a home. Our
rent was one dollar week-our fuel.Ilpht.
waterfront and some littb, matters dollar
more. We have allowed the same am unt
to our clothing, and by buying the best
thlngs,and keeling them carefully, we dress
ed well enough for that Even nv wifi.
is satisfied with the wardrobe. and finds
that raw silk at six shillings ward is
cheaper IN tn" long run, than calico at one
shilling. That makes three dollars a week
and had still our living to pay for. That
cost cs with three in family, lust one dol
lar more"
One dollar apiece"
"No-one dollar for all. You seem
surprised but we have reckoned il over
and over. 1t cost more at first, but now
we have learned to live both better and
cheapcr-so that we have n clear surplus
OF four dollars n week, after paying ali en-
penses of rent, fire, light, water, clothing
and food, and o 'casionally giving party.
know a smile came over my face, for
he continued:
Is, give party; and we have some
pleasant ones, assure you. Sometimes
we have dozen guests, which is quite
enough for comfort, and our treat o choc-
olate, cakes, hlancmange, ETC., costs as
much as two dollars but this is not very
often. Out Of our surplus, which comes.
you sec, to two hundred dollars year
we have bought II" you see, and have mo-
ncy in the bank"
81 see it all" said I, call but the living.
Many mechanic spends more than that
tor cigars, to say nothing of liquor. Pray
tell me precisely how you live.h
with pleasure. First of all, then,
smoke no cigars and chew no tobacco.
and Mary takes no snuff"
H." .L- ti~.--.-..s ..''', >ssuIc III, uuI
thrr' was no interruption for Mary SEEM
ed to think her husband knew what he
was about, and could talk very well with
out her aid.
But what ,lo you cat and drink 7" |
asked.curious TO sec how far this selftaup',t
philosopher had progressed in the laws Of
health.
Come this way, and I will show you.
he said taking light and leading the
WV into capacious store-room Here
tirst Of all, is n mill, which cost me twelve
shillings. 1t grinds all my grain; gives
me the freshest and most beautiful meal,
and saves tolls and profits. This Is bar
rel Of wheat. buy Il Q best, and am
.ure that it is clean and g,~d. 1t costs
less than three cents pound, and pound
# wheat day, YOU know, is food enough
for any man. We make into bread ,mush,
pies and cakes. Here is barrel Of no
tatocs. This is hominy. Here are some
beans, bax Of tapioca, macaron. Here
IS a barrel "f apples. the best can find in
Fulton market. Here is a box of sugar,
and this is our butter jar. We take
quart Of ofc"untry milk a day. buy the
rest down town. hy the box or hrrrel
wher" get it cheapest. fixing wheat
eaten rs mush or bread, and all male
course, without boltin2-and potatoes, ho-
miny. or rice. the staple, YOU can easily
see that dollar week for provisions is
not only ample, but allows Of healthy
and even luxurious variety. For the rest
We eat greens, vegetables, fruit md berries
in their season. In lhc summer We have
strawberries and peaches. as soon rs they
are ripe and good. Mary will get up
dinner from these materials better than
the whole bill Of fare at the Astor."
] was satisfied. Here was comfort, m
telligencc, taste and modern luxury, all
enjoyed Oy an humble mechanic, who
knew how 70 .."e at the Sc... nave m.n.
toned. How much useless complaining
might be saved-how much genuine hap
piness be enjoyed-how much evil and
suffering might he prevented, Il all the
working men in New York we've as WIN.
/ Carter.
Inever shook man or woman by the
hand with more hearty respect, than when
l said "good night" tn this happy couple
who, in this expensive city, are living in
luxury and growing rich on eight dollars
a week, and making the bench Of shoe
maker chair Of practical philosophy
Condensed Jrons Lhs NeW Horh Sunday
Times.