The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-11-03
From Gleason's Pictorial Battle Ship.
John Growers Lesson.
BY H0RATIO ALGER, JR.

John Grover practiced economy as
he understood it, but that is not always
economy which is called so, and John
Grover lost many dollars by his econo-
mical habits.
He had once subscribed for news
paper for the space of a year, but at
the end of that time, much to the re-
gret of his wife and children, who had
learned to look eagerly for its weekly
visits, he decided to discontinue it.
"But, Mr.. Grover" demonstrated has
wife. cit only costs two dollars a year,
and / am sure it affords us that amoamt
of pleasure.
"That isn't the question:" said her
husband; ''thc main point is, whether
we can do without it. take it, there's
no questioning that. Now, it costs us
the price of a barrel of apples
every year, when the same money
might be put into the bank, where it
would 90 towards a provision for our
old age"
Her husband being ROW upon his
hobby, Mrs. Grover knew that it would
do no good to demonstrate farther, SO
she gave up the discussion with sigh.
The consequence may be easily i'm
agined. The children grew up in ig-
norancc, with very little general infor-
nation, beyond what they acquired
during the three months schooling
which they obtained during the year.
This their father deemed sufficient for
all practical purposes, not rejecting
what slender preparation it would
give his children for the approaching
conflict with the world.
Dir. Grover had at least the merit of
being consistent and thorough going
in his economy. One day he came in
from the field complaing of dull head
ache, and feeling feverish this in
creased as the day advanced. His wife
was quite alarmed.
'Let me send tor the doctor, john"
she urged.
"No, it wouldn't pay" said he fee-
bly,. "I shall feel better by-and-by."
But he did not feel better. Never
theless, he strenuously refused to have
the physician called, declaring it would
be useless expense.
The next day he grew dilirious =
then his wife determined to take the
responsibility Of calling the physician.
The doctor looked at the patient grave
ly, and felt his pulse.
When was he taken ?" he inquired.
yesterday, early in the morning"
was the reply.
"Why did you not call for me soon.
er ?" asked the doctor.
81 wished to-" said Mrs. Grover,
''but my husband was very much op-
posed to it. You don't think he is SER
iously i'll ?" she said, anxiously.
SHE is in high fever" was the re-
ply. eff had been called in time, a
long sickness might probably have been
averted. As it is, we must let the NAL
ady have its way"
John Grover was sick for six weeks,
during which he required frequent Wis.
its from the physician. These were, Of
course, expensive, to which must be
added the loss of so much time from
his employment, as well as the weari
ness of sickness. On the whole he did
not gain much from his mistaken econ
omy in this case.
l believe have not stated that John
Grover was farmer by occupation
His next neighbor was quite differen,
man. Ephraim Fairfield took severa
literary papers and magazines for his
family, besides an agricultural paper
to assist him by is useful suggestions
in his business. His farm was about
equal in extent and value to John Gro
ver's when he took it, but while Gro
ver's remained stationary; his i'm
proved every year. s
One day, as Grover passed his neigh
bor's farm, be saw him setting out {
large number of small trees.
What are you doing, Fairfield p
inquired he, leaning on the fence:
Setting out trees, as you see."
"How many have you got there?''