The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-08-17
RAVENNA, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST II, 1859.

Ane CIo"n WHICH my neeuy WHe COuIu not
get when she asked for it, I paid away, al
most twice.told for nothing. But It taught
me lesson. Iopened my eyes, and have
kept them open. On the very next NOR
ming afforded my wife the crown, but
could not afford any more for the beer. man.
l had not dreamed how much was master
ing ; but when l stopped up that leak, and
allowed my funds to flow into their proper
channel, soon found that I could afford
every reasonable comfort my wife and chill.
dren needed. So stick to the principle
which has proved so beneficial to myself
and family. All! what's that There's
an animal in your garden, Walter"
They had reached the garden fence. and,
by the dim starlight, Walter could see
horned beast trampling amongst his sweet
corn. The bars had been either left down,
or hooked down, and stray cow had got in.
They drove her out, and then Niles went
considerable damage, but he was not angry.
for he had something Of more importance to
think of. He went and sat down beneath
an apple-tree, and pondered.
Bless me, il he hasn't put the case down
about square !" he said to himself, at the
end Of some minutes of mediation. ~Let
me see," he pursued "There's five shil.
Iings for spirit-four. and-twopence for ale
--four-and.twopence for soda. And that's
within the last three days. Thirteen-and.
fourpence Is it possible. Over twenty.
five pounds year! And yet can't afford
ten shiIings for gate, not a guinea tha,
my family may receive religious in ns,ruction
for year Walter Gray-I think you hoG
better turn over new leaf"
And Walter Gray did turn over new
leaf. On the very next dOy he did two
things, thereby astonishing two parties. He
had a new gate made for the entrance to the
garden, and thereby astonshed his wife
and he refused to "toss up" for the ale, ant
thereby astonished crowd of expectan
thirsty ones. For u month he pursued this
course, and by the expiration of that time hi
could fully appreciate the new blessings tha
were dawning upon him. He discovered
; that he could afford everything which th'
comfort of his family demanded; and in ar
irving at this result, he had only to re]in
quish those things which he really could no
afford. 1t Was a wonder to him how b,
could have been so foolish. When, at th,
end of the year, he had paid his note, ant
hnd twenty pounds left, he felt at first as
thought there must be some mistake bu
when his rife went over their household ex
penditure with him, aud showed him that al
they needed had been bought and paid fos
he saw just how it was. He saw that 70
years he had been wasting his substance
and depriviug himself and loved ones of The
comforts they needed-not Intentionally
but through the same mistake that lead
thousands in the same course. But he dix
so no more.
Sometimes, even now, Walter Gray say
-" Cont afford IT," and then he says it EN-
phatically, too. But 1t is not when his wifi
or children ask for comfort and joy, nor ye
when the needy poor ask for help and char
ity-for he can well afford all that; but it i
, when the wild speculator, or the loose com
, panion, ask him to engage in some game o
s hazard which may rob himself and family o
their substance. Then he says-and he re
peats, if need be-"CANr AFFORD IT.