The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1872-03-22

deprives man Of all spirit and virtue
"It is hard for an empty bag to stand
upright" What would you think Of
that prince or Of that government, who
should issue an cdict forbidding you to
dress like gentleman or gentlewoman,
OH pain Of imprisonment or servitude ?
Would you not say, that you were free,
have a right to dress as you please, and
that such an edict would be a breacl,
of your privileges, and such a govern
ment tyrannical? And yet you are
about to put yourself under that tyran-
ny, when you run in debt for such dress!
your creditor has authority, at his
pleasure, to deprive you Of your liberty,
by confining you in gaol for life, or by
selling you for servant, if you should
not be able to pay him. When you
have got your bargain, you may per-
haps think little Of payment; but, as
poor Richard says, "creditors have bet
ter memories than debtors, csiditurs
are superstitious set, great observers
Of set days and times" The day comes
round before you are aware, and the
demand is made before you arc pre-
pared to satisfy it; or, if you bear your
debt in mind, the term, which at first
seemed SO long will, as it lessons, ap-
pear extremely short; time will seem
to have added wings to his heels as
well as his shoulders. "Those have a
short Lent, who owe money to be paid
at Easter.' At present, perhaps you
may think yourselves in thriving cir
cumstances, and that you can bear a
little extravaganza without injury but
"For age and want save while you may,
No morning sun lasts whole day"
Gain may be temporary and uncertain,
but ever, while you live, expense is
constant and certain; and, ''it is easier
to build two chimncys than to keep
one in fuel" as poor Richard says; so
''rather go to bed supperless than rise
in debt"
SECT what you can, and what you get hold,
'Tis the stone that will turn all your lead
into gold"
And when you have got the philoso-
piers stone, sure you will no longer
complain of bad times, or the difficulty
Of paying taxes.
". This doctrine, my friends, is
reason and wisdom; but, after all, do
not depend too much upon your own
industry, and frugallity, and prudence,
through excellent things; for they may
all be blasted, without the blessing Of
Heaven; and therefore ask that bles.
sing humbly, and be not uncharitable
to those that at present seem to want
it, but comfort and help them. Re,
member Job suffered, and was after.
wards prosperous.
And now, to conclude: ''experience
keeps dear school, but fools will learn
in no other," as poor Richard says,
and scarce in that; for it is true, ''we
can not give conduct" however re-
member this, 'they that will not be
counselled, can not be helped" and
farther, that " if you will not hear
reason, she will surely rap your knuck-
les," as poor Richard says.
Thus the old gentleman ended his
haraugue. The people heard it and
approved the doctrine; and Immediate
ly practised the contrary, just as if it
had been common sermon, for the
auction opened, and they began to buy
extravagantly. l found the good man
had thoroughly studied my almanacs,
and digested all that L had dropt on
those topics during the course Of twenty
five years. The frequent mention he
made of me must have tired any one
else; but my vanity was wonderfully
delighted with it, though l was con-
scious that not a tenth part of the wis
dom was my own, which he ascribed t.
me, but rather the gleanings that
had made of the sense Of all ages and
nations. However, l resolved to be
the better for the echo of it; and
though, l had at first determined to
buy stuff for new coat, l went away
resolved to wear my old one a littl(
longer. Reader, if thou wilt do thu
same, thy profit will be as great al
mine.
| Il Coon WoRD.-The New Yorl