Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-02-20

TH1Ncs THAT DO NOT pAY.--ft is a common ques-
ton when some new speculation is proposed to BUSH
ness men to ask, !" will it pay J" There are other
things however, than financial specuations of which
The inquiry might be made. If people, in the multi
farious concerns of life would ask otener, will it
yay 2" itwould be BETTER not only for themselves per-
soha!ly, but for society al large.
Take an example man who has made a little
money begins to think it time that he should "get
into society" the cant phrase goes. That is, his
vanity instgates him cultivate the acquaintance
of a set OF fashionable ders, who live chiefly for
display, spend their entire incomes for their own
selfish qualification, and affect, In consequence of
these extraordinary virtues, too look down on the
rest of the world. Accordingly he buys carriage,
builds fine house, orders expensive furniture, gives
exravagan parties, cuts his poor relations, and toad
les to these wouldbe arlsocrats. A, last perhaps,
he gains admission into the exclusive circle, but only
to find that he is no happier than he before
Ofener. however, he becomes bankrupt before his
oo,hod is made good through the spendthrift habits
in which his silly ambition has involved him. In
either event, does at pay
Another man, even before he has realized any,
thing, takes a notion to turn politician. He has
read of Jefferson and Adams, has heard Clay and
Wei ster speak, and fancies it fine thing to be a
celebrated statesman. He has occasionally har-
angued at debating society or a ward meeting,
and has secret opinion that his talents TOR public
speaking only need cnlvating to shine with amazing
lustre. So he goes into politics. Gradually he neg
ecs his business, ures bis credit and loses his GUS
TONER'S Long before he has achieved that seat In The
federal Senate which was at first the honest pitch of
his ambition secured any post of honor or profit
whatever. he is comparatively Impoverished Ill alb
soutelv bankrupt His lofty views having long since
been abandoned, he would now be content even With
some petty office But this he works long Tor be-
fore he obtains it and he obtains il only by becoming
party slave After ten years of bawling at public
meetings, drinking at low taverns, and degrading
himself till he has sense of independence lett, he
finds himself put of with some palry place, which
yields him smaller income than his former business,
and which he is periodically in fear of losing. This
is fancy sketch. 1t is the story of the majority of
| those who turn politicians. Does 1t pay
young man meets silly, selfish, stylish, gay.
rafting, extraVagant girl at a party. She has al
ready become adept in filtration and Is excessive
ly fond of admiration. Her fine eyes soon make 4
conquest Of him Probably after wasting unheard of
sums in bouquets and other more costly gifts, he ven
lures 10 PROPOSE and is told, with teigned astonish-
ment, that she never thou hit of him i" except as a
friend" Possibly he receives favorable reply, es-
pecialy if he is good looking and rich, if the lady
is growing old but if he marries, he discovers
that fashionable coquetle makes bu> sorry wife
and still more worthless mother. In either case
does 1t pay?
There are those who begin life with strong con-
situations, high health a1d ungovernable spirits
The temptation 10 enjoy the world leads them into a
thousand follies, sometimes even into vices, which
appear tres at the time, but which sap the constitu
tion like slow and subtle poison. They behind
the scenes though they make nothing by it A
thirty they find that they cannot stand what they did
at twenty one. AT forty their friends tell them they
begin 10 fail. At forty five they almost valetud
narians, and at fifty prematurely Old Doubtless
they have bad what they call ga good time" Blu
does 1t pay?
! We might extend the catalogue You give dash
ing party, praised for the fine supper, and settl
the next day bills 10 scandalous amount. You g
TO great public ball. for which you have to buy you
wife new dress, and have head ache the next day
caused BY the villainous champagne you drank. Yo
squander so much trip that you ar
pinchlng all the rest of the year. Does At pay?
would be better ior every body if they would look
things they are, and find before it is too late whe
er or not they wlU pay.-Baltlmore Sun.