The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-05-07
I Can do Without It.
81 HOWARD GLYNDOS-

Like to hear this sentence spoken by the fresh,
rosy mouth of a comedy young woman. There IL
something Independent, sensible and energetic IN
those fine, simple words that l should almost teel
sure tina: the young lady who could clearly enun-
ciate them in turning her back on a love oil a hat
which Just suits her style and complexion, or IN
refusing a costly and desirable dress, offered on
TEMPTING terms. and abide by her decision IN
spite Of certain little regretful twlnges (Which are
sure always to trouble the heart OF a woman who
denies herself the buying of a thing, when she
finds il dirt cheap would be very hkely 10 make
n prudent and reliable house-keeper.
-. can do without - If we would always say
this when we are tempted by some handsome or
convenient article which we do not really need.
but which we feel a desire to possess, partly be-
cause it is so cheap, what a world OF trouble we
might save ourselves.
Mrs. Tenpence, when she goes on a shopping
expedition. is go likely TO forget that her purse
hasn't as deep a bottom as Mrs. Fivetwenty's,
and so likely TO argue that it would be so nice to
: have this dress or that cloak, because Mrs. Five
twenty has one just like it. If, on such occasions,
she would only say bravely, " can do without
it." how much unhappiness, how many heart
burnings and how many bitter tears she might
save herself thereby.
MY dear Mrs. TenpeDce, don't regulate your
expenses by those of Mrs. Fivetwenty's. Let
Mrs. Fivetwenty spend her money as suits her
best, but do you regulate your expenses by your
actual needs. Remember, / say actual and not
fancied needs.
If YOU will do this there will never be any
more occasion for mean little subterfuges In get
ting money from Mr.. Tenpence, no prevaricating
as to how you have spent what you had before
no need of making a scapegOat of the household
expenses, OH the Flea that everything in that line
is so dear now-no prominently misgivings and
frightened tremblings If the parcels and the bills
should happen to come in while Tenpence is at
home. And never any more heart-sinkings and
bitter despairings over certain unpaid bills which
you hide away so carefully from Tenpence. Oh,
those bills! What terrible things they are! l
/ know I'd never have one hunting me day and
night like Il troubled spirit. Payment is the only
way to bury these ghosts of past imprudence and
want of foresight. I'd ten times rather go with
out an article, no matter how badly | needed it,
rather than not pay upon purchase. Better to
say | can do without it and | would do without
it, too. And Ill tell you of some things which
you cannot afford to do without
First OF all, a clear conscience. Secondly, a
cheerful spirit. Thirdly, a mind SO habituatcd to
cheerful self-sacrifice that you can see Mrs. Five
twenty faunt by you i'll the street, with d new
bonnet and q dress that cost treble and quadruple
what your own cost, and a shawl so rich that
your well-kept wrappings look dingy and poor in
comparison, without the least bit of a heartache
and then say pleasantly, 8" can do without all
that
And so you can, if you happen to be the happy
possessOr Of the three things above specified. And
if you are. | think you'll agree with me that you
could do without them-no, not for the sake of
the best gros-grain silks and Lyons velvets that
were ever imported into this country.
\ hOmely article on a hOmely subject \ very
one, however. Are not we of this
generation, in danger of forgetting that selEdenial
is one of the virtues? / don't counsel extremes in
any case. But can we not see Il boundary to our
Draw the line somewhere, and with one
1.-THE of the surplus thus saved you will always be
able to do a little to help those more unfortunate
than yOu are and instead of feeling the depriva-
ton, you will think that the happiness which re-
suits from saving and giving is very cheaply
earned and worth more than all the fine things
the money SO appropriated could buy.-N. Y.
Mail.