The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-01-23
MISCELLANY.
John Growers Lesson.

He had once subscribed for a newspaper for
the space of a year, but, at the end of that
time, much to the regret OF his wife and chill
dren, who had learned TO look eagerly for its
weekly visits, be decided TO discontinue it.
"But Mr.. Grover responded his wife, sit
only costs two dollars year, and am sure
It affords us that amount of pleasure
"That isn't the question: said her husband !;
4the main point IL, whether we can do with
out il. take it there's no questioning that.
Now il costs me the price of IA barrel oil cider
every year, when the same money might be
put intosthe bank, where il would go towards
q provision for our old age.'
Her husband being now upon his hobby,
Mrs. Grover knew it would do no good to re-
monstrate farther, so she gave up the discus
sion With sigh.
The consequence may be easily imagined.
The children grew up in ignorance, with very
little general Information, 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 a slender prepa.
ration it would give his children for their APP
preaching conflict with the world.
Mr.. Grover had az least the merit Of being
consistent and thorough-going in his economy.
One day he came in from the field complain
ing of a dull headache, aud feeling feYerish I;
Let me send for the doctor, john" she
urged.
!" No II wouldn't pay said he, feebly. II
shall feel better by-and--by.'
But he did not feel better. Nevertheless,
he strenously refused TO have the physician
called, declaring that it would be a useless ex-
pense.
The next day he became dellrious; then his
wife determined to take the responsibility of
calling the physician. The doctor looked at
the patient grayely, and felt his pulse.
.When was he taken?" he inquired.
Yesterday, early in the afternoon was
"Why did You not call for me sooner9- said
the doctor.
II wished to- said Mrs. Grover, ''but my
husband was very much opposed 70 Ii. You
don't think he Is seriously iiI?e she said anx-
iously.
sHe Is In high fever" was the reply. I'll
had been called in time, a long sickness might
probably have been averted. As il il, we
must let the malady have its way
Grover was sick for six weeks, during which
he required frequent visits 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 WEAKNESS of
sickness. On the whole, he did not gain much
from his mistaken economy in this case.
1 believe have not stated that Grover was
farmer by occupation. His next neighbor
was quite different man. Ephraim Fairfield
took several literary papers and magazines for
his family, besides an agricultural paper TO
assist him by its useful suggestions in his bus
mess. His farm was about equal in extent
and value to Growers when he took it, but
while Growers remained stationary, his i'm
proved every year.
One day as Grover passed his neighbor's
farm, he saw him setting out a large number
Of small trees.
"What are you doing, Fairfield?' inquired
he leaning on the fence.
"Setting out trees, as you see,
"How many have you got there %
1.-TWO hundred, of different kinds"
"How much did you pay for them?'
"Fifty cents apiece
"That makes hundred dollars. You are
getting very extravagant.'
Not at all. | expect they will pay me
many tines over
Grover shrugged bis shoulders.
perhaps they win, said be very doubtful
Iy; "but can't afford to throw away my mon
ey on such an uncertainty. When l have
hundred dollars, put II In the bank; aud /
would advise you TO do the same.p
"A bank of mother earth will pay better than
any OF your city banks, said Fairfield, smil-
ing.
"A fool and his money are soon parted"
thought Grover, although he did not see flt to
express his opinion.
Five years passed. The trees which had
been set out grew and fourished under the
generous care which was taken of them, and
were now, many of them, in bearing condition.
Grover could not help admitting that they
neighbours fivc-acre lot, but he thought, Il
can't afford to pay so much for ornament
A conversation which be had with Fairfield
somewhat altered bis opinion.
"How much fruit do You suppose / have
sold Off my piece n inquired the latter of Gro
yer one day.
Il don't know" said Grover "How much
did YOUR
"Three hundred dollars worth,
"Three hundred dollars WORTH" exclaimed
Grover, opening his eyes.
"Yes: and next year hope to sell four hun
dred. The trees are young, and of course
their bearing power increases every year,
"Three hundred dollars y repeated Grover,
bewildered.
"Yes. You know told me when was
setting out my trees, that ii would be better TO
invest the hundred dollars in some bank i'll
had that wouldn't have amounted to one hun
dred and City yet
Grover acknowledged that his neighbor was
right.
.Then, besides he continued, ssmy land is
worth very much more. How much do you
value your flye-acre lot at p
II suppose 1t would fetch hundred dollars
sn acre"
y was offered two hundred for mine yesser-
day.
"You werew exclaimed Grover in great
surprise. "0f course you accepted it.,
"Of course not. DO you think would sell
land yielding me more in prospect, for a thou
sand dollars?'
Grover began to think he had been acting
foolishly. His own fye-acre lot was equally
As good, naturally, as Fsirield's. yet the lat
ter's would now bring double the price in the
market. He decided TO get some trees imme-
diaiely. He did 50, but could not be prevailed
upon 10 treat the land as generously as Fair
field had done: he considered that it was
money thrown away. The consequence was
that his trees advanced much more slowly
fhan his neighbors, and il took nearly double
the time for them TO reach the same bearing
condition with the latter. Nevertheless, he
had taken one step in the right direction. But.
welded as he was to his peculiar notions of
economy,it was impossible for him TO give
them up at once.
have but one more instance of his false
economy TO relate, for the consequence which
this entailed were so serious that they opened
his eyes effectuaily TO the error the course
which he had been persuing. One day as he
3 was at work In the field he saw a stranger
approaching him.
aGood day,r said the latter.
Grover returned his salutation, and waited
TO have him unfold his business. This he pro-
ceeded 10 do.
II am the agent Of fire insurance compa-
n.y. Mayl enquire whether your buildings