San Andreas independent., 1857-11-21
/" Necessary Extravagances. .
81 can't afford it,,

Il can aHOfu IL.
These words came, reluctantly anc
slowly, from the unwilling lips of Mr.
Harry Spendfast, the other evening.
Now Harry, although by no means
what you would denominate "fast young
man." had habit of getting rid of all
superhuous funds in very '.fast" man
ner indeed. Nobody knew where Harry
money went-not even Harry himself
and on this particular evening, Mr.. Spend
fast bewailed his inability to avail him
self of rare opportunity to purchase a
fine library, in the usual style, wondering
at the same time chow it cost so much
to live"
"Now, Harry" said I, "do throw away
that cigar, and take your hands out OF
your pockets and listen to me awhile =
Pm going to give you lecture"
GA lecturer | don't know about that.
can't say that | approve of ladies' lec-
lures. Is it about woman's rights?'
"Not exactly; but as your mother is at
the old homestead in Ulster county, and
you haven't any sisters, | feel especially
'called' to talk to you in patronizing way.
"Well, 90 on! I'll bear it as will as ]
can" and Harry made grimace as he
lay back in his chair.
"You receive good salary from your
employers, am perfectly aware, and yet
you are never able to afford anything;
like Mr.. Micawber, you are always in
difficulties. The fact is, Harry, you re
extravagant.
Harry bounced up from his chair, like
an India-rubber ball, coloring to the roots
of his hair with indignation.
"Extravagant. deny that utterly
There's not the least shadow of founda-
ton for that accusation Do | ever pat
ronize billiard saloons Do drive fast
horses on the avenue? Do | keep pri-
vate box at the opera? Do L"
"Oh, Harry, Harry. do STOP You
make my head ache with your vehemence;
even the policeman across the way stares
up to the window in mute astonishment :"
"Well, then, don't call me extrava-
gant.' and Mr.. Spendfast sat down with
an air of injured innocence.
''Not in that particular way, Harry, I
grant; but there are more ways than one
of being extravagant. About your dress,
for example
"My dress is perfectly plain, l am sure.
"Well, we'll see. How is it about
those diamond studs?"
81 own to little folly on that score
They tempted me, and / COUNT help it. ,
"Call them fifty dollars, when a plair
set at five would have been all sufficient
That fancy cane at ten
How did you know? inquired Harry
with guilty blush.
ooh, never mind 1t takes woman
to find out all such things. That eye
glass ten dollars, when you know YOU
eyesight is perfectly good.
| paused for an answer, but Harry
hadn't word to say.
"Those sleeve buttons were five dollars
Now I think plain pearl is twice as pretty
as gold, but ~ tmporte. Your seal-rine
at ten dollars, your gold pencil-case at ten
L IL
Your embroidered Napoleon necktie may
be prettier than neat black silk, but then
it cost eight dollars. Your watch-chain
not more serviceablc than plain guard
was twenty-fve-was it not? Let me
see-that is one hundred and twenty.
three dollars, all for unnccessaries." ("
"I didn't think it could be so much
as that" quoth Harry, looking thought
fully at the tip of his boot.
"Of course not; if your money went
in one grand outlay, you would look after
it little more closely, but these petty
driblets seem like nothings. [ could
mention several other items
"Don't, don't, for mercy's sake. /
see where the trouble is. But dress
isn't everything"
"No, to be sure not There are your
cigars-how much do you pay apiece 2"
"Three cents, neutrality-suspicious.
more.
"And how many per day.
"Well, three-or perhaps four. -Four,
| think you may call it'.'
"And your three daily papers, when
one contains all the news; these two items
of cigars and newspapers amount to fifty
eight dollars and some odd cents. Add
this to the hundred and twcnty-three."
"And it approaches very near two
hundred dollars" calculated Harry, with
a long low whistle.
cit would far exceed that, if | were to
go on enumerating; but these will serve
as specimen. | have not mentioned a
single one that would not have been
deemed useless extravaganza in the
economical days Of our grandfathers, and
yet this two hundred dollars would have
purchased the library. Subtract the sum
yearly from your income (for fashionable
wants rise up every month"; and you will
discover why it is that you cant afford
to live comfortably"
Harry drew forth distended cigar
case without word, and threw it out of
the window with an energy that made
the torpid policeman jump into the air,
and taking out his diamond studs, put
them into his pocket.
~ -.