Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1855-12-22
EXtravagance in Living.
"The yawning gulf of wild extravaganza

hO gun VI WIN SAtA OA''NN'
SCARCELY week goes by, that we are
not called upon TO record some sad calaIn
ily in social life, the result Of extravaganza
in living. The evil is one of the vices OF
the times. The old fashioned system of
living within ones means is repudialed-
and high rents and magnificent furniture
are the order of the day. In olden time,
moderation and economy formed the basis
in which The young were disposed TO act.
But now il is far otherwise. The young
man who thinks of matrimony, must in
the first place, be prepared to rent house
al four or five hundred dollars ayear, to
furnish i, al cost of one or two thousand
and then live accordingly. The conse-
quence is, that very few make the ven
ture. They are deferred by the prospect
before them, and induced 10 hold back
Or, if they venture how often do they
struggle on for year or two, and then
discover that they have made mIs-steP'
and are either compelled TO retrench or
| involve themselves to ruin. Would 1t not
be well for some of the reioImers OF the
day to undertake the cure of this social
evil. 1t is one Of truly serious characie
and its consequences are often tepIorabe.
Young ladies', too, are taught the same
system, that of wild extravaganza, TO en-
pect imposslbiities. There may be half
dozen daughters living in good Style
under the protection of father, and each
expects on marrying TO eclipse everything
al home. A young man who Is prudent
and moderate is denounced as narrow and
mean, while spend-lhrifl, or braggart,
is too often regarded as just the thing.
Late hours, late parties, abundance OF
wine and other luxurIes, are now regard
ed as among the essentials OF genteeI socI-
ETY., and without Ihem everything is vo-
ted common place and vulgar. The whole
system is mol only hollow and artificial
but is demoralizing. In the first place II
induces extravaganza in the second, dis
sipaiion, in the third, neglect of business,
and in the end utter ruin. The story has
been told again and again, but the vice
still exists. There is scarcely a reader
who cannot point out some sad example III
his immediate neighbornood, and among
his most intimate friends. Only few
days ago,a dashlng fashionable in neigh
boring city, was sold out by the sheriff.
The members of his family had commit
ted the error of the hour, had advanced
beyond their depth, lived above their
means, and hence the catastrophe. And
this is no extraordinary case. The folly
of extravaganza may be seen on all sides,
and in individuals too, who find II difficult
TO make both ends meet. Often the huS'
band is al fault-sometlDes the wife and
again both. False pride and desire to
create a sensation, bewider and lead as
tray. 1t 10 so difficult ~ be modest and
moderate where others are inflated, The
penalty, however, is usten fearful {; and
when some adversely is encountered, and
the blows falls suddenly--how difficult II
is 10 wresle with misfortune MOdera-
llOn is saving virtue, II should be prac-
Used daily and hourly; moderation, not
only in speech and in tone, but IN temper,
IN prejudice and in expenditure. Alas !!
for the many who have repenIed IN sack
cloth and ashes, the madness of an other
course. Alas for the hundreds who are
now hurrying on wildly and blindly, and
who by violence and extravaganza, are
sowing the seeds of bitter harvest. The
day of reckoning may be at hand.
DAT OLE Niger DIcKsON.-Mr. Dick
son, colored barber,in a large New Eng
land. town, was shaving one Of his cuslo-
mers a respectable citizens, one morning.
when a conversation occurred between
them, respecting Mr.. Dickson's former
connection with colored church in that
place :
4 believe you are connected with the
church in Elm street, are you not, Mr..
Dickson ? said the customer.
No, sab, not al all
What, are you not member Of the AZ
rican church ?
Not dis year, sah.'
But why did you leave their commu-
Mon, Mr.. Dickson, if | may be permitted
- ask 2
Well, I'll tell you,sah, said Mr.. Dick
son, strapping concave razor on the palm
of his hand, ii was js like dis: | jned
the church in good faith: give ten dollars
towards de stated gospiIl de fus year, and
de church people call me 'Brudder Dick
son. the second year my business not so
good, snd glib only five dollars. Dat
year de people call me Mr.. Dickson.
DIS razor hort you, sab ?
No, The razor goes tolerably WELL
We'll, sab, the third year ! feel berry
poor; had sickness in my family; and |
didn't Uib uo6n' for preachin.' Well sab,