Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1853-08-24
Live within your Income.
It's 1NEsrmABLE IMPORTANCE IN ro

It's INESTMABLE IMPORTANCE IN FoR-
MING JUST CHARACTER.-Few direc-
tions are more valuable for success in
life than the above. 1t is applicable a.
like to all ages, and of paramount impor-
lance to all. 1t is very good starting
point for the young man just common
cling the race of life. Here the early
habit may be soon formed of regulating
the expenses, crushing all unnecessary
desires and avoiding thoses temptations
that lead beyond the income, that the
whole future life of property, influence
and responsibility may depend upon it.
A young man commences life with IL
airy or with wages little beyond the
supply of his ordinary and proper wants.
By carefully living within income, not
only will there be laid up supply for
the future, when it will be needed, but
a habit of self control will BE acadired
more valuable the money. Fictitious
wants will not become real ones, and the
mind will be better prepared for those
days of need which will come upon all.
The young man who spends his whole
income upon his present wants and plea
sures, will be apt to do so when that in
come increaes, and will never be pros
porous man. Wants increase with time.
and habit grows with its Indulgence
Let the young then, regard this precept
and learn wisdom.
Young married people are too apt to
indulge in foolish expenses, because they
think they can but il they live up TO
the extent of their income, with their
present small family, what will they 90
when that family increases ? The hab-
its of expense that they have acquired
will adhere to them, and they will soon
be beyond their means. 1t is very I'M
happy condition for family, who have
been brought up to consider certain
luxuries as pehsable and who have
not early been learnt to regulate their
expenses, to be constantly stepping over
the boundry line of their income. How
many mean things, how man disrepata-
ble things, how many unpleasant things;
must be resortedto to keep up appearan-
ces! There is hardly a more pitiable
condition. The children are initiating
the extravaganza of the wealthy, while
the father is harrassed with debts and
duns, and the mother has often to deny
herself the comforts Of life. Such chill
dren would show at once their energy
and their wisdom, by relinquishing at once
this foolish contest for fashion, and by
their endeavors to earn their own live
lihood, exhibit to the world how supe-
rior they are TO its folIies.
He who is spending more than his in
come is guilty Of dishonesty. What he
thus spends must be from the pockets of
his ueighDors. He is iacuTrisg debts
that he knows he can never pay; and is
thus undermining the foundation of moral
integrity in his own character, and teach
ing his children one of the worst Jesse
that he can spread before them. His
situation too is most uncomfortable one.
He cannot look his creditors in the face
as an honest man should, but is obliged
to resort to subterfuge, false promises,
and eventually, lies, to satisfy those he
does not pay. ANY man that has any
regard for his own happiness, or respect
for his own character, will avoid these
evils.
But what shall be done? Give uI
this struggle for appearances. Conform
to circumstances, and live poorly and
dress poorly, if necessary until debts are
paid. But above all go to avorRs. Work
is not dishonorable or disgraceful. Ii
this country, independence is of more
value than gentility I; and the satisfac'
ton of an honest conscience worth more
than the notions and splendors Of society
No man or woman can degrade them
selves by honest labor but the struggle
to keep up appearances must be degra
ton always in our own eyes and Offer
in the eyes of our neighbors.