Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-10-19
u.pn T1MEs-xEEp1NG ACCOUNTS.

Seldom has ii happened that there has been
so general an advance of prices for the necessa-
ri.S of life rs we have OF late been suffering.
Hard Times, whose shadow is never off the
hearth of the poor, now darkcn lhe halls of
those who have been accounted rich. and Subdue
the usually gay lights that illuminate their par
lors. Not that there is much positive suffering
vet--among us, but there certainly is marvellous
"strinrency" with many who have not often
felt any cunslraint upon their expenditures.
WAGES were good through the Summer, and
business was plenty. The thrifty are pretty
we'll proyidrd for, but the thrifllcss.-and they,
though minority, are very respectable for num-
bers,9lean too heavily for comfort on the hope
that The abundant crops and plentiful harvcsts
will tame prices essentially, and nulIiIy the
rough ways of the times.
Now let the young man, who has work enough
10 do and is paid for it, remember that ii is not
what he earus, but what he spends, that settles
the State of his accounts AT the years end. Let
him bc assured that respectable wages ought to
support him. and unless there are extraordinary
weirllts foi him to carry-as OF debt VI large
ramilv-hc onrht from them 10 lay mp something
AGAINST harder times that the cnrtaIncd Future
NAV conceal. If il is hard for him now, with
perfect health and small family, and enjoying
the fuIlncss of youthful energy, TO lay up any
thing. how much tougher will it be to make a
saying when the natural force is abatcd, and
little ones. c!inrng 10 his ar:as, hinder his full
stroke, and pains and aches come and settle in
all his joints.
1hcrc i rlurh. indeed, to hinder his saving
something, beside the size OF the bills TO be
paid for potatoes and beef, houSe-rent and neces-
sary clothing. There. IS pride and the lust OF
admiration, and silly hope of appearing better
off than he really is-all which are bitterer enc.
mics to his prosperity than either Hunger or
Nakedncss. Let every young man overhaul his
eypcuses. and nick out frorn what are absolutely
nu,s3. Of his control those which he can choke
down. and especially those which his better
udument condemns. Tie Hard Times will
prove blessing if they lead the young TO ahan.
don their drinking and smoking and treating
and going on bus"
Now no one knows how much he might save
nor indeed how much he spends for.things thai
he would himself pronounce as useless, until
he comes to note item by iIem rs it accrucs, anc
with the book fairly before him to cast up the
account fror, time to time. The habit Of keep
inc exact accounts is u great block 10 fuosl
expenses. Though no effort is made to con
tract, the change will slip less easily through
the fingers if it is on the next morning to b'
noted, and If next SATURDAY. the memorandum i
sure to be reviewed. The daily accouHt-bool
is the great nnridote to Hard Times; and lh'
habit Of Keeping lis moi worth less than Al
additional dollar per week to the salary. Tr,
it, young bachelors and new housekcepers, ant
if YOU do not find it so, doubt the wisdom o
the old folks and of those who think the,
! knnw-Nnw York Times