Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-06-02
RETRENCIIMENT.

wife, rs he rCclihed in the depths of the
luxurious easy chair before Rglowing crate.
Retrcnchmcnt is the watchword now. and
n very reasonable and scaSonablc ono.
Mrs. Livingston looked inquiringy into
her husbands face, and there was a shade
OF anxiety in the tone of her voice, rs shc
inquired;
Is there necessity for it in our case,
my dear?
Not exactly necessity; al happy t.
say. 1t is rather matter of cXpcdiency
than necessity. Every man ought to les
son his eXpenccs at such time as this
AS | said, rctrcnchmcnt is the watchword
now.
1t ought to be with many, no doub. :
but | cannot see why all should adopt it.
IT is medicine very wholesome for those
who need it: an excellent curative for
those suffering the ills induced by cxtrav-
agance, and folly and dishonesty. Let all
those who have been living on other peo-
pies money try it. But why should we
try 1t? Our eXpcnces have bore n wise
and reasonable proportion to our income,
and you admit that even now there is no
necessity for rctrcnchmcnt.
That is true. Still | think, in these
hard times it is wise to cut Off all unncc-
essary cXpences. There is u propricty
in doing so. Besides, the claims of chari-
ty will be great this coming winter
There will he an immense amount of sur-
fering among thepoor, and we shouldrheer-
fully cconomize that we may have more
to bestow on the needy and suffering.
There is something in that, certainly.
said Mrs. L., who was never very pcrtina.
cious in her opposition to any plan propo-
sed by her husband. But where shall we
begin.
Lave we not more servants than we
really need? We have quite number,
and think VIC might spare one or two,
without serious inconvenience.
After thoughtful silence, Mr.. Living
ston said:
| could spare Nary. really don't need
her very much, though she is such a good
faithful creature, that shall regret to part
with her.
If you can spare her without inconvcni-
encc think you had better send her a
way. Can't we find some other way to
economic?
! might dismiss the gill who has done
plain sewing for us for month past.
told her | should want her two months.
and | could find work for her that time {:
but | can do without her services very
well, and | willdismiss her Saturday night,
if you think best.
Mr.. Livingston assentcd. Rctrench-
ment in other departments, was discussed.
and various plans proposed, some of which
were adopted, and others laid on the table
for future consideration.
Three weeks later, Mr.. Livingston OBJ
served to his wife, with an air of comfort
able satisfaction:
My dear, am moro convinced every dav
that we were right in the plan adopted
three weeks ago. | can assure YOU it is
hard times for the poor people. A poor
fellow came to me to-day. lie was out of
work and six children tosupport. lie told
a pitiful story.
! hope you helped him.
Yes, | gave him twenty dollars, por-
tion of what we have saved by economy.
The next evening Mr.. Livingston set
tied himself in his easy chair with grave
and somewhat troubled look, The ex-
preston of his countenance was that of a
man whose self-complaccncy had been Sc
rlously disturbed. Mrs. Livingston was
quick to observe this. She waited some
time for her husband TO break the silence :
but seeing that he was not disposed to do
it, she said:
You look grave tonight, Edward. Has
anything occurred to annoy you?
Not unless you call it annoyance for a
man to discover that he has been acting
unwisely, and without due consideration,
when he really supposed that hewas doing
a very wise thing.
Is that your case, my dear? asked Mrs.
Livingston, is tone in which wifely SYM
pathy and womanly anxiety were about
equally blended.
Precisely.
Please explain yourself.
You remember the plans for retrench-
ment adopted three weeks ago?
do, and it was only last evening that
you were descanting on the wisdom of that
evenings proceedings.
That is true but have learned since
that this wisdom was folly, not to call it
10y harsher name. But | will tell you
what has opened my eyes. You renem-
Der what | said to you about the poor fell
low whom | assisted yesterday? This
morning | mentioned the circumstance to
my friend, Mr.. Chase, as we were speaking
of the hard times and the suffering of the
poor. To my surprise he exclaimed earn
estly:
] would not give the fellow cent.
Why not, inquired. Out of work with
six children TO feed, is he not an object of
charity?
No. the fellow came to me with the
same story a week ago. | pitied him, of
course, and offered him work at low wa
ges until he could do better; but he soorn-
fully rejected the proposal. Now such a
man do not wish to help. There are
hundreds who would gratefully accept of
even moderate wages. made him the
best offer could afford, and it would have
kept his family from absolute suffering
until the times are better.
If had known the fact you have sta
ted, would have kept my money for a
more deserving object.
Ny plan, continued Mr.. Chase, is TO
l.