Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1854-12-16
I Can't Afford il.

clangc, Wneh people dIt cdi'eu uPoh "
subscribe 10 papers, the excuse 81 can't
afford ii; is frequently made; which, be-
ing interpreted, means, u regard other
things of more consequence to myself and
family than paper" Rightly considered
there are few influences which tell more
and effectually upon the i'm
provemenl Of the family circle than a well
conducted and hightoned paper. Judge
Thomas of Worcester, Mass, in recent
lecture before the Young Mems Assocla-
lion, in New York city said The
Newspaper Press is destined TO he the
Chief instrument Of popular culture. II
is, intellectually, the daily bread Of the
people. The power of the press, great
as it is, continually increasing, and will
draw to itself and demand for lis service
more and more Of the learning and talents
of the country. The eloquence OF the bar,
of the assembly and of the stump, create
stronger immediate impression, but their
sphere is too limited to compete with the
widespread influence Of the eIoquence OF
the pen. As an instrument Cor swaying
the popular mind, they all yield 10 it.
The pen is the true level Of Archimedes,
and in the newspaper press has been
found the place for fulcrum,'
The man of business cant afford to
do without his paper. He must know
the condition of the markets, the financial
prospects, and the passing events of the
day. 1t teaches him when TO buy and
when 10 sell, and he often finds a single
paragraph worth lis thousands of dollars to
him. The mechanic cant afford 10 dis
pense with his paper. There are sug-
geslions in it which his brother mechanics
have made, by which lie can profit; or 1t
contains some new labor-saving invention
which enables him to make the same ar
lticle in less time. The farmer cant al
ford to carry on his farm without his pa
per. There is that in 1t which, if proper
| Iy studied and practlsed, increases the IN
come of his farm, twenty, thirty, or even
one hundred per cent. He learns from II
what are best varieties of grain, what
| fruits are best suited TO his soil & climate,
what crops have been made tie most prof
liable, what implimenls are the best, and
last, not least he may learn the value OF
careful observation and accurate know
ledge. No one can afford 10 be without
all the means Of information which are
within his reach. No one can afford to
| live in darkness when the world is full Of
light, to pIod OH in Ignorance when II is
the mission Of truth 10 instruct and elevate
the mind.
Least of all can any man afford to de-
prive his family Of the advantage which
journal o. the kind affords. What are a
few dollars and cents in comparison with
right views, sound principles and gener-
Gus feelings A word in season, fdy
spoken, may change the whole tone Of
life, land like the seed sown in good ground
bring forth an hundred fold in noble feel
ms and generous acting. |! is a short
sighted policy that consults only immedi.
ate effects while ii overlOOks the far reach
ing results which the most trivial causes
often develop in character. If persons
would only take a second thought, we are
sure they would never say i can't afford
to subscribe for paper which contains
practical suggestions with regard TO the
best methods of making this life, with all
It's varied interests, what 1t should be.
But in paper as with every thing else, it
should be an invarable rule to provide
the best. 1t is better to be ignorant than
to be led astray--beter TO read nothing
than what is pernicious in its tendency.
Ohe thing is certain, we cant afford
to live without the effort TO grow wiser
and better as we grow older--we cant af-
ford to act as though there were no lu-
nre, 10 life beyond this life, no eternity
beyond time; for our attainments in know
ledge and excellence in this world will be
the measure of our happiness in the next
WHAT THE INDIAN DID.--"John, what
10 you do for living g.
"Oh me preach"
preach and do you get paid for il o
"Sometimes me get shilling, some.
times two shillings.'
'And isn't that mighty poor pay!'
"Oh yes--but lis mighty poor preach
ing"
1t is LABOR in vain 10 stick your finger
into water and, after pulling it out look for
the hole.
'Doesticks' says you can always tell
when you get new hired girl by The col
or of the hair IN the buiscuii
Mary, Mary, where in the deuce are
my pants ? Pants, sir reckon Mis-
sas has EN- ), she's gone to the eonyen-
lion. she has