Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1855-03-15
Cause of, and Cure for, Hard Times.
BY AN OLD FARMER OF l77S.

me with dishonest action. see VIII
great grief, that all the country is inilict
ed as we'll as myself. Every one is com
planning, and telling his grievances, bu
find they do not tell how their trouble
came on them, know it is common
for people TO throw the blame of thei
own missdeeds on others, or al least e
excuse themselves OF the charge. an
III great trbulation: but 10 keep Inc th'
character of an honest man. / cannot II
conscience say that any one has 6FouSh
my troubles on me bat myself. 'HaF'
times-no money" says every one. 4
short story of myself will show how II
came to be hard times with M, and nc
money. at the age Of 65. who have lived
well these forty years.
My parents were poor, and they pu'
me at twelve years of age to farmer,
with whom lived ill | was twenty-one.
Ny master fitted ma out with two stout
suits OF homespuu and four PAIR OF shoes.
Al twent, two married me vile, a
very good young woman she was. we
took "a farm OF 40 acres on rent. ~ IN
dustry we gained fast. | paid my rent
punctually ana laid by money. IN tn
years, was Bile to buy myself d farm oil
90 acres, on which became my own
tenant. ,hen, in manner grew uch
and soon added another sixteen acres.
with which was contented. My elsate
increased beyond all account. bought
several acres Of outland for my chiidien,
which amounted to seven. when | Was
:orty five years OF age.
About this time married my eldest
daughter TO "a clever young mau, 10 whom
/ gave one hundred acres U! land. This
daughter had been a working. duti!u! G'rl'
aud therefore fitted her out well. and
to her mind exactly; for | told her TO
take of the best of my wool and flax, aud
to spin herself gowns, coats, stockings.
&C.; nay, suffered her to buy Some col
ton TO make into sheets-l was determ-
ined to DO we'll by her.
Il this time my farm gave me and my
whole dmiy support on The produce OF
il. and left me. one year with another,
one hundred and fifty dollars. which was
FOX salt, nails &c. Nothing TO wear.
eat or drink, was purchased any where.
as my farm provided al. With this sa-
wing, put my money to interest, bought
cattle. iatted them, and made great profit.
In two years after. my second daughter
was courled. My wife says, "come, you
are now rich; you know Molly had moth
ing but what she spun. ana no other
clothing has ever come into our house
for any of US; she ough, 10 fare as well
as neishuor Ms Betty" well
wife, it shall be as you think best.
have never been stingy. but il seems TO
me that what we spin at home would do.
However. wife goes to town in q few
calimanca petticoat, a set of stone tea
cups, and half dozen pewter spoons,
things that were never seen in my house
before. They cost but little did not
feel it-and confess l was pleased to
see them, Sally was as we'll fitted out
as any girl in the parish.
In three years more my third daughter
had spark. and wedding concluded
upon. Wife again comes for the purse;
but when she returned what did see?
A silk gown. silk for a hat, looking glass,
China tea gear. &c. and hundred other
things. with the empty purse. Then fol-
lowed family jealousy and quarrels. Mol
ly ought 10 be out Fl t ed as we'll as Betsy,
Good homesrun and cotton fixings were
ruled as vulgar, and white feathers and
silks must tate their place. SAILS hus-
band must speculate in stocks. backed by
endorsement: but he had all the fun Of
specializing. and had all The miseries of
paying. Then grand pa must be the
treasury department for all things need
full. Nothing was heard but arrange
ments for journeys. balls, parties, and
such like,
In about year, Bets husband made a
mistake. and signed some body else's name
cheek instead of his own. He was ar
rested and sent to Jail. and had to spend
half of my earning 10 get him,out. SAILS
husband died, leaving legacy of nine
children. whom with the mother. I've
got to support. Bets eldest boy was
trained for doctor; took his degree, and
sent his frs, six patients out Of the world
by improper treatment. for which he had
10 fly the land. leaving his dear incum
brance attaches on my purse.
could fll your paper with further
particulars, but that might no: be SO
agreeable to your readers. l will only
say.in regard to hard times. let ev-
cry man exercise the ability nature
has given. in his proper and prescribed
sphere, let contentment reign within the
breast, nor envy reach its threshold. Re
gard not the apparent'glifter of thy neigh.
Dor nor aim at an equality beyond your
comprehension: live moro to please 9TH
er people: be frugal, industrious, and just.
bring your ideas down to pr"pe, level;
nor let them be bed by bad exam
pie. So shall you avoid the mishaps
have experienced in family matters. and
rejoice in old age over life we'll ap
piled. with just hopes for years heIeat-
ter.