Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-02-19
Vhe family Circle.
The Art of MOney->pending.

There are many articles written and
many words spoken, at the present time,
concerning profitable employment for
women, and many thoughtful minds are
now occupied with the alI-important
question, " In what way can earn
money ?' There are hundreds OF women
who desire not to be dependent uPon either
father brother or friend, and who wish to
stand upon their own feet, and at least
add some little amount to the yearly ex-
penses of living. Such women look about
them to find some special niche into which
they can fit themselves and obtain re
munerative occupation. Yet the women
who can do any one thing ercellentLy 1ceH,
never need fear but what they can always
find plenty to do, as there is always room
for one more skilled work woman III shop
keeping, copying, tyPe-setting, book-blnd
ing, engraving, dress making, millinery,
plain sewing, house-work, or gardening
Many doors are now thrown open to
women, and it only requires the resou-
ton to enter, and the well-trained hand Of
labor, to make the entrance both desir-
aOle, Pheasant anu permanent.
Bat this is not the branch of education
upon whose neglect we would speak
seasonable word. There is an art in
spending money, as well as an art of earn
ing money, and shere are hundreds Of
grown women and young girls who have
never been taught it. 1t is a branch Of
education which is greatly neglected, and
this is a self-eyident fact which few can
gainsay. Enter with Us into any large
dry goods store in this city, and Judge for
yourselves See how the merchants and
clerks will shrink from the customer who
has no fixed idea Of what she desires to
purchase, if she purchases at all who will
order piece after piece of various goods to
be taken from the shelves, while she bal
ances in the most undecided way their
relative merits aud prices and after try
ing the patience of the merchant who at
tends her to great extent, concludes that
she can come to no decision that day, and
leaves the shop, perhaps only to return il
a few days and repeat the torture. We
all know women who viii 90 out shopping
with a certain end in view, l. e., to pnr-
chase some needfuI article Of household
use, or for their own or chidren's ward
robe, but if their eyes fall upon some
pretty little novelty, they will forget tn,
useful article that must be bought anC
purchase the triAing, useless thing, thu
appropriating all their ready money, anC
upon their return home, it proves only al
aggravation and disappointment to them
1t should be the duty and pleasure o
the mistress of the house to purchase al
the supplies for the family, the needtu
provisions and articles of dress, comfor
and luxury; but to do this in prope
manner, she should receive special train
ing, and learn while a maiden TO shop S
2 that it will be a pleasure to herself an
] family, and not an aggravation. Sh
t must be taught to combine thoughtfulnes
e and prudence with elegance and beauty, t
know first what she can afford to buy-t
.. what an extent her means will allow he
: to go-and then to know what sh
e requires, how much Of an article is needed
r of what quality, texture or color; anc
e knowing all this, she can 60 forth upon
IS shopping excursion and not return as di!
c contented as did poor little Rosamond wit
d her purple jar. Every wise mother wi
a teach her children when young how t
a spend money. Boys require this trainin
quite as much as girls but we are not col
c sidering their needs at present, 1t is mo-
n desirable to give girls stated weekly O
e monthly sum with which to purchase lit
% necessaries, such as ribbons, collars au
p similar adjuncts of the toilet, for then
!. selves Now if they choose to expend tn
money in confectionery, they must suffer fi
IS the want of these articles, and learn b
going without them to control their apr
tites and desires. An indulgent mothe
d might in pity supply them, but it would
lie a false kindness and yield bitter fruit.
d child must leara self denial early in lii
], IL if We would have her happy in the comir
- years, and it can only be taught by
d long practice. When girls are IA or l
y years old they can be supplied with
J; larger amount Of pocket money, and /
l, allowed to purchase their boots, slipper
d gloves, aud similar articles of dress f
:. themselves Of course, at first, they ma
require mothers assistance in helpin
them to decide what things are the mo