Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-03-21
CASH AND CREDIT.

George Brown, at the age of twenty
three, took him wlfe,-or, rather, he and
Hattie took one another-for better, or for
worse. But then they knew it was going
to be for better always, and never for worse.
How could it be otherwise, when they
loved so truly, and when they understood
each other SO well? They had married
young, and they had but little of this
worlds goods to commence with but they
had health and strength, and they were
going to work together, and build them up
home of their own in time.
eve will be very saving" said Hattie,
"and in the end we may reach the goal. :"
The goal was the home which they were
to own. "We shall not scrimp, nor deny
ourselves of necessary comforts hut we
will do without luXures. By thus econo-
MIXING in the morning, we may find store
to spare in the evening Money is like
time: An hour gained in the early day is a
great thing, while an hour lost may not be
regained."
George saw and understood, and he was
as eager as was bis wife. He was deter
mined to put all his energies into the
work, and in the future he saw fore
Swallowed promises most bright. He had
taken of his uncle a small house which he
was to pay for when he could. He had no
doubt that he should be able to pay two
hundred dollars a year on it, at which rate,
as his kind relative had offered the bar
gain, the property would be his in six
years.
George" asked Hattie, one evening, at
the tca-table. "What did you pay for this
tea ?"
81 declare, Hattie, don't know
don't believe asked"
What Did not ask ~
"No. | have every confidence in Mr..
Skidd. lie is perfectly honorable man."
But did you not pay for it T"
"No. | have opened an account there"
Hattie shook her head disapprovingly,
George saw the motion, and went on
"You know / am paid monthly, and |
thought it would be just as well to keep
monthly account at the store. And Mr..
Skidd himself pertelred that PLAN"
81 can see very readily why Mr.. Skidd
should prefer it" said the wife, with sig
nifcant smile. "In the first place, he
knows that you are an industrious, steady.
and honorable man, and that whatever you
owe you will surely pay. He knows that. u
George was hattered, but he felt that
his wife lad spoken no more than the
truth.
"And," pursued Hattie, he knows one
IIo lDn,us tbot yp1 will b,.y
more on credit than you would for cash, :"
George made dcprecatory motion, but
his wife continued
Mr.. Skdd k1,OuS. He is old in the
business. Over his good customers, who
open monthly accounts upon his ledger, he
has decided advantages: He can per
suade them to buy what they would not
buy if they had to pay the cash down
and, where they are to have credit-wher'
the trader is to haze the extra labor ant
expense of entering and posting each sep
crate article, and, in the end, Of making
full bill Of itcms-the buyer cannot will
good conscience demand reduction from
asked prices"
George smiled, and said he thought hi
doing well. 1t would be inconvenient t.
pay for each little article as he ordered il
And, Furthermore, it would be handler It
settle his store bills when his employer
settled with him.
Hattie did not press the matter. Sh
had brought the subject upon the taps
and she was willing to await the develop
ment of events.
"By the way, Mr.. Brown, do you no
want box of these fios? They are fresh
-I'll warrant them, land by the box vii
put them cheap So spoke Mr.. SkidC
the store-keeper.
George knew that his wife was yer,
fond oil figs; and he loved them hmsel
And he finally consented that box shout
be sent to him.
On another day Mr.. Skidd said,-
"Ah, Brown, my dear fellow, have 70
tried this golden syrup?"
George had not tried the syrup. TIL
best quality Of molasses had hitherto ar
swered him. But he was persuaded to tr
it.
On another day
Look here, Brown shall I send yc
up dozen of these Messina oranges
new cargo just in. You won't get EN-
cheap again. Only thirty cents"
Only thirty cents And George kne
how fond Hattie was of oranges. OfcouI
he would have them.
And so the days passed on, and Il
month came to an end. George Brow
was paid by Ills employers, and he set
once about paying Others. On his W.
home he stopped in and got Mr.. SkidC
bill.
"You can take it and look it over" sa
the trader, with patronising smile. aye
will find it all right"
George had intended to pay the b
then and there but when he saw the lol
column of figures, and glanced his eye
the sum total, his heart leaped up into /
mouth. He was astounded. He hi
thought to himself, as he had come alon
that Skidd's bill would be about twel
to fifteen dollars. After paying everythi
else he would have twenty dollars lie
which would satisfy this last demand, al
leave something over.~rH e had just col
"eh|ou housekeeping anu uiu Hot eAPe
to save much at first.
But-mercy how his anticipatio
were knocked in pieces as he looked
this bill He told Skidd he guessed
would look it over; and on his way hon
ward he examined it but he could fl
nothing wrong-nothing wrong in t
items,-but the sum total was poser
t'oenty-sir dollars and forty-toCo cents!
For long time after he had reach
home he tried to convince Hattie tn
nothing was the matter with him; but
length he plucked up courage, and dr'
forth Skidd's bill. He had expected tn
his wife would be paralzed. But, on
contrary, she only smiled, and said it W
all right ,.........