Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-03-14
Don't get above your Business.


Prudence in business and Economy in ex-
penditures and living, are every where and
by every body, recognized and admitted as
indispensable to success and prosperity
And yet how prone men are to deviate from
ana disregard this indisputable axiom
Hence, we see failures, bankruptcy, poverty
and ruin follow in quick succession upon
those who disregard the wise teachings of
Prudence and Economy. Why is this p
and how shall it be avoided2 are impor.
tant inquiries, and if faithfully and satisfac-
torily solved, the solutions are worthy of the
most careful consideration.
Let us look, first, into the beginning of
things. We see a man who. by industry and
application to business at the work bench, or
Mt the counter. as journeymen, or clerk, has
secured the confidence and respect of those
who have observed with commentator his
INDUSTRIOUS, prudent habits. He is at his
business late and early, orderly and sober in
his department, and frugal with his earn
ingS. He verYprOperly begins to aspire to-
wards buildingup a business of his own
but ne has 10 capital, no means to begin
hasiness-bul sapitat he ps&k have, or he
can't bulge apeg. His only recourse IS q
test the confidence of his aeauaintances in
his integrity, industry and business habits.
lie does so, and they endorse their apprecia-
ton OF his worth, by endorsing for him in
the Bank, or elsewhere, and thus he is put
in possession of means and appliances to
prosecute a successful business. This is all
cheering and prosperous, and SO far all is
well. But we will look a step farther:
Our enterprising, energetic friend has pro.
cured all the appliances of his business
trace fourishes-money in large amounts,
such as he has not before been accu STONED
to receive, flow into his exchequer-he be
comes elated-soon his person is bedeckeC
with fnery, a costly gold watch and massive
appendage is purchased-he is no longer
seen with coat off and sleeves rolled up, in
dustrlously attending to business-he stand
about, segar in mouth, or visits the drinking
saloon-money is spent freely and plenteous
ly! Take care, my friend your friends WHIT
have aided you, and whose capital you ar
operating upon (for you have none of you
own are watching you with distrustful, fear
full eyes. Now let us look at the third act i
this life-drama:
Accounts are falling due-the day for re
newai of your note in Bank has nearly al
rived; the Notary has served the "thre
days grace" notice upon you concerning
certain Acceptance" Are you ready +
meet them? Alas noi!-your money ha.
gone for fnery and gewgaws, or in foo
lsh, dlssipated habits, and in the hour {
emergency you are minus the ever 'neec
full Then follows a loss of credit-a pre-
test at the bank counter--the confidence {
your friends is forfeited, and they are left
suffer, because they kindly assisted you i
the hour of need. A breaking up of bus
ness. bankruptcy and the sherif7s executio
and sale closes the scene /! And all this trai
OF evils and dreadful results, is the cons
quence OF GETTING ABOVE YOUR BUSINESS
Reader, are you in the first, or second a,
OF this drama If so, we entreat YOU sto
right where you are-off with your coat an
go right at your work as though dear iii
depended on it. Lop off all unnecessary e,
penses, keep clear of all extravaganza an
useless expenditures Of money, as you woul
the small pox or yellow-fever-give YOU
whole time and personal attention to you
affairs, and whenever you can, stick to tn
bench, the paint-brush, the counter, or wba
ever pursuit you are engaged in, and 70
may yet recover from your p~erilous situation
But unless you do, depend upon it, nothin
on earth can save you. And if you fall. yo
need not talk about trying again"-you'l
never have such friends again, perhaps-
nor will it be of any avail to lay your dowu
fall to dull times, or old hard times. ever
Every body around you knows the cause, lit
tie as you may think it-and every step yo
make down the hill, you will hear plaine
and more plain the remark of your neigh
bors-lt all comes of ONES GETTING ABoy
HIS BUSINESS