The Placer herald., 1869-10-23
MY NEWSPAPER.

Who can estimate the value OF 9ewspa
perl No one until be has lost it-uutA the
pleasant periodical visits, like the face Of
dear friend, bringing euch fund Of w.t. news
AID general intelligence, which 10 always
greeted with hearty welcome, are With
drawn. 1t is, in one sense, the light of the
world-without which the mental universe
would b. as much 10 darkness as The Lerres-
trial world without the sun.
There are books, it is true, good, wise,
ins,ructing and entertaining; but they do
not tell Us Of what We want TO know. OF
passing events, or direct US to the best pla-
ces of business. Neither do they inform
us Who OF our friends are passing away or
getting married, or who has sailed for the
! Eastern Continent, or who has returned
from trip thi;her. etc.
| did not lhiuk of this until bad formed
the foolish resolve not to take my paper an
other year. The pressure of the times was
severe. busines dull, my family expensive,
and it really seemed necessary to retrench
some where to make both ends meet at the
end of the year. So l thought, as l sat
alone one evening, 10 dressing gown and
slippers, with my feet upon the fender.
bad my last paper in my hand, which pc
russd with greater degree Of interest than
ever before; it may bs because | had resolv
I'd to part with it.
i tell you,' SAID to my wife, ut won t
do; W. must curtail our expenses; and will
begin by Withdrawing my advertisement and
ordering the paper discontinued. Taxes
will soon be due, which must be paid; wood
is enormously high but we cant do with
out it-nor groceries and provisions, lights,
clothing, and many other incidental expen-
sss. We have plenty of books and maga
zues, old, TO be sure, still they are readable,
aud We must do without the paper for the
year to come"
1T is only five dollars year." said my
wife. quietly.
IL know it," replied. "but every dollar
counts now days"
But do you not believe that it will have
a tendancy to render business still more dull
not to advertise z she asked
Nonsense! A place SO we'll established
reeds not 50 questionable = lever to hsl p it
o. | do not suppose that IL will make any
amounts 10 considerable replied impa.
tientlv.
But what will you do for the news g.
she veDtured again.
"Ob, can get enough Of that by inter
course with others, and occasionally buy OF
borrow q copy"
John Smith," said my wife, now fully
assured. Il am ashamed Of you. What! toe
poor to take paper yourself, and yet will
ing 10 6lch information from Others whose
money is paid for what they learn. and al
the same time detraud the honest publisher
who is constantly lsboriug with head aud
ment-you had better stop your bills a
saloons for ale and cigars-needess expen
ditures for yourself alone, while the news
paper is a perpetual Intellectual feast fol
the whole family, yoursef not excepted, ant
it costs the merest trihs in comparison to
the money you spend every week for tobac
co and drink. You have not spoken Of lh,
Increased prices Of those articles. Stop th.
paper, indeed and my wife jerked her chai'
around with not very graceful movement
and sat with her back towards the In ute
contempt Of my "peuny wise and pount
foolish resolution"
Now, | make il a point to never yield to
my wife or any Of my family, if can hell
it, as in case | should l would become
secondary consideration in my own family
"a position by no means intended to oc-
cupy; 50 said nothing, but sat and putfsC
. NY fragrant Havana, watching the grace
iul folds Of smoke as it wound itself 10 httl,
wreath. about my head. l resolved tha
, come what would, would not ysld indul-
gencs in the delicious weed for the sake Of
newspaper.
The next day called on my publisher
settled my account, aud ordered my pape
discontinued.
"Ou what ground Z" be asked, in som
surprise.
! "Nolhing." said, 81 cant afford it," ant
:. I walked away, leaving him TO bis rehec
tioDs.
Time passed on the day on which il v Al
due could not feel quite contented at th'
non-appearance OF my newspaper. | miss
!, cd the bright, cheerful face OF the little car
, rler and the interesting news be was won
to bring on return Of each week, through
fair weather and foul There were olbs
papers about. for | bought one occasional y
but they wsre published 10 large cities, an'
contained no local news of my own home.
Al nigh. when reached home. my eldes
daughter Mary. met me 10 The hall.
"Whers is the paper, papa 2" said she
"Ob, | am in such u hurry to see it. Malti
Trusworth's marriage is in it, and the edi.
tor has published such an appropriate vsrs
; in connection with it, l am told"
But put her aside saying "Ths paps
will not come any more; | have ordered i
discontinued"
i "Eby, iashsr!' she exclaimed, show Cal
, We do without il T.
I'VE must learn to do without it," re-
piled, as | passed on TO the supper room.
After supper, instead Of reading to N,
fami y, sometimes leading their minds ava.
of TO other scenes aud distant regions
beautiful countries that others bad explored
at great expense and some risk OF life; some
times to the fierce fields OF blood and earn