Litchfield enquirer., 1854-07-27
Why Work so Hard.

ing to make money. unless we are to en joy our earnings as we go along? Be- pend upon it, it is all vexation of spirit, vaui'y. and nothing else. That a man should wish for so much as will permit him to enjoy an occasional holiday, to be sick for month or two, if circumstances are so disposed, to be relieved from the necessity of labor when the st,ength fails and to have snug something over for the widow ard little ones, is natural and tight.
 But why should one strive to hoard large sums for his children :? Perhaps one in hundred of children who inherit wealth improves his inheritance. A few. with most marvellous good sense, strive toturn their money to good account, and im- prove the superior facilities for providing the world with what it needs. But the vast majority, knowing no better how to use than to make the money that falls in> to their hands, by their thrifllesness wound the reputation of their dead fathers in the very point where they were the most sen- silive while living,-they proclaim that financial ability is no heir-loom in the family. In view of the constant rota> tions of Fortunes wheel and the assur- ance which all family history gives the wealthy man, that if he leaves large property to his son he will scatter it with> out much increasing the family reputa. tion-that really, too, the heir is not likely to prove so steady and worthy a citizen as if simply well started in the world. it becomes mystery that we should consent to eat always the bread of carefulness, and watch night and day to hoard.
 Stranger yet, that for the sake of mo. ney, men will part with their integrity, and take into partnership an evil con- science, which is silent enough while prosperity attends. but with the first gleaming of misfortune opens his mouth ever bitter with rebukes. Strange that they will make their consciousness their enemy. while it alone always must share their presence, to lay up wealth for heirs who will be none the better for it's pos> session. There is better thing than weal,h--it is clear, unaccusing con- science. Better than boundless lands, and drawers ple,horic of scrip, and poe. kets full of bills on city banks, is sims pie competence.
 An English wit said that advising us to choke our wants to avoid the expense of gratifying them, is like telling the poor to cut off their feet 10 avoid the necessity of shoeing them. It was good saying. but quite false one. Rather than shoe a third, or fourth foot, biped should call in surgeon and have it ampu,ated. But our two feet nre our necessities,- what of feet we have beyond them are as the Jew said of the New Testament when he swore. laying his hand upon the Christians Bible,-" it is mere surplus- age." And the true philosophy for us Is, 10 moderate our extravagant desires. to tutor our wants into submission to our ability as far as may be. to accustom our children to habits of simplicity in dress and diet. to put the knife to the throa. of fashion, if ever we get her away from her influential worshippers, and to cul,i- vate the intellectual and moral powers. which as they grow cause these more expensive animal wants to grow feebler and die out. Let us make all our money pay us interest, as well as, or even rath- CT thso, be the principal for our children 10 squander. Let it make us more cheer. lul, contented, benevolent and bene6cent. Let it make us better citizens, worlhier images of our Maker. When we can dress so well that those who meet us can never remember how we dress have enough of good, wholesome. relishing food. comfortable homes, enough ahead to secure an age of ease. and enough in hand after meeting current expenses, to pay up the annual premium on our life- insurance policy. which will keep the widow in funds and school the children, we are about as we'll off as if we had trunk full of bonds and safe full of deeds. "But the Life Insurance may burst, bonds depreciate; lawyers get hold of mortgages. and rascally "uncles" get possession of the real estate. Nothing is perfectly secure. Hunt then. the shad> ow, but don't decline the subject. Work for money. but don't refuse to get whs. money is worth while you have it.
 "Your. 'Old Kentucky Home!' you poor soul you P said Mrs Burlington, as