The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1873-04-02
:; "Charge It,"

A simple little sentence is this, to be
sure, yet it may be considered as one
Of the most insidioas enemies with
which people have to deal. 1t is yer.r.
pleasant to have all the little colnmod-
tiles offered for sale in the market, and
itis sometimes hard to deny ones self
"ftle same when it can he obtained
by saying charge it," But this habit
of getting articles, however small the
expense may be, without paying for
them, keeps ones funds in low state
most of the time.
II have not the money to-day-but
should like the article mucl," says the
young man who happeiis into store
and sees something which strikes his
fancy.
Never mind says the gentlemanly
clerk, "you are good for it,"
"Wcll, I will take it and you may
charge it," I
And so it is that little accounts are
opened at one place and another, till
the Young man is surprised at his liza.
bilities; which, though small in detail
are sufficiently large in the aggregate
to reduce his cash materially when set
Ting day comes. In many instances,
if the cash were required, the purchase
would not be made even had the per-
son the money by him; but t" some.
getting an article charged does not
seem like parting with an equivalent.
Still, when pay day comes, as always
it does, this illusion yanishes, and a
feeling is experienced of parting with
money and receiving nothing in re-
turn.
If there is an actual necessity of
making purchase, and the means are
not-at hand, there is reasonable ex-
cnse for obtaining the same credit; bnt
when the article can be dispensed with
until payment can he made, it is much
to the advantage Of the purchaser to
do so.
ave must have a nice set of furni-
ture,' says yonng couple about to be
united in marriage, "but We have not
the means. However, we will get it
and have it charged"
And 80 they start in life with debt
hanging over them for which there is
no occasion. The habit once formed is
difficult to break away from, and when
ever any thing is wished for, it is pur-
chased without considering that cir
cnmstances may arise which will rem
der the payment of tho debts incurred
impossible. Were there certainty of
health and supply Of labor, it would
place rather different construction
upon the matter. But considering the
fluctuating character of business, maxi
ing it possible that a mechanic may he
thrown out of employment at any time,
it is certainly better to be prepared for
such emergencies by keeping clear of
debt.
| Sickness may also overtake one at
any time, and tire thought that num-
erous charges are standing against MS,
aggravates the disease ard renders the
misfortune hard to bear. Taking this
view of the matter is it not better to
forego the pleasure of possessing arti-
cles which our taste may prompt US to
purchase until the means are in hand 7
1t is very easy to say "charge it" but
no. always SO easy to pay it. And this
is always the ultimatum. Ifpayment
is deferred too long tie very Que who
politely tells che purchaser that it will
make no difference about the money
will say he had no business to buy fine
feathers if he had no prospect OF pay
ing. ~
And in measure this is true. By
pursuing such course, a person is new
er Independent; the host of little debts
are ever ready to perplex and worry