Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-06-17
HIRAM.

We don't like stinglness. We don't like
" economy" when it comes down to rags and
starvation. We have no sympathy with the
notion that the poor man should hitch HIM
self to pos: and stand still while the rest of
the world moves forward. 1t is no mans
duty to deny himself of every amusement,
every luxury, every recreation, every GEM
fort that he may become rich. 1t is no mans
duty to make an iceberg of himself-to shut
his eyes and ears to the sufferings of his fol-
lows-and to deny himself the enjoyment that
results from generous actions--merely that
he may hoard wealth for his heirs to quarrel
about
But there is yet an economy which is every
mans duty, and which is especially commend
able in the man who struggles with poverty
an economy which is consistent with happi
ness, and which must be practlced, if the
poor man would secure independence.
1t is every mans privilege and it becomes
his duty to live within his means; not up to,
but within them. Wealth does not make the
man, we admit, and should never be taken
into the account in our judgment Of men,
But competence should be secured when it
can be and it almost always can be, by the
practice of economy and selfdenial to only
a tolerable extent. 1t should be secured, moi
so much for others to look upon, or to raise
us in the estimation of others, as to secure
the consciousness of independence. and the
constant satisfaction that is derived from its
requirement and possession.
Wewould like to impress this single fact
upon the mind of every laboring man who
may peruse this short article-that it is
possible for him to rise above poverty, anc
that the path to independence though beset
with tolls and sefsacrifce, is much pleasant
er to the traveller than any one he can enter
upon.
The man who feels that he is earning
something more .han he is spending, viii
walk the streets with much ligh tel
heart, and enter his homo with much more
cheerful countenance than he who spends az
he goes, or falls gradually behind his necess
ties in acquiring the means of meeting them
Next to the slavery of intemperauce there
is no slavery on earth more CALLING than tina
Of poverty and Indebtedness. The man who
is overybodys debtor is everybody's slave
and in much worse condition than he who
serves single master.
For the sake of the present, then, as wei
as for the sake of the future, we would mos
earnestly urge upon every workingman to
live within his means. Let him lay by some
thing every day-if but a penny, be it ;
penny-it is better than nothing; Intimately
better than running in debt, penny day
or penny week. If he can earn dolla
let him try, fairly and faithfully, the expert
ment of living on ninety cents. He will lik'
it.
People will laugh" Let them laugh
"They will call me stingy." Better be call
ed stingy than say you do not pay your debts
They will wonder why |, do not Mve bet
ter furniture, live in finer house, and attent
concerts and the play house Let then
wonder for a while, it won't hurt them, an,
it certainly won't you. BY and by you Cal
have fine house, and fine furniture of you
own, and they will wonder again, and com
billing and cooling around you, like so man,
pleased fools. Try the experiment Liv
within your means.-Maine Farmer