The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-04-15
ImprOvident Habits.

One of the great characteristics of
town life at the present time is the alarm
ing predominance of improvident habits.
Look where we will, the fact constantly
appears. The spirit of extravaganza has
set in; no class in society is altogether
exempt from it; and very few individuals
regard it with unfavorable eyes. Upon
the abstract argument that every man
ought to live within his means, there
is tolerable unanimlty; but Immediately
the proposition is reduced to its practi-
cal application the general principle is
discarded and each individual treats his
own case as exceptional and as governed
by special circumstances. The result, as
might be anticipated, is far from being
satisfactory. Social barriers are being
broken down and destroyed, not for the
purpose of abolishing class distinctions
and treating all as members of one great
and homogeneous community, but mere
ly to foster and perpetuate extravagant
habits. Some people are SO advanced IN
these views as to look upon spendthrift
as benefactor of his species. They do
not care to inquire how the money has
been spent or whether it has been en-
ployed productivity; the mere fact of its
having circulated is regarded by them as
allsufficient. There is a constant disre.
gard, also, of that beneficial habit of
laying by a store for rainy day, of pro-
viding for less prosperous seasons, and of
preparing for the time when labor can
not be pursued. The motto of the Ca
rousers: Be happy to-day, what care we
for the morrow? is acted up to by men
who in other respects are looked upon as
possessing a fair share of worldly wis
dom. The pretext for doing SO is the
very shallow one of keeping up appear
ances. They imagine, or at least profess,
that they must spend precisely the same
as their neighbors, keep up the same
style, give the same parties and dress in
the same way, or-they will lose caste.
The question as to whether they can af-
ford these luxuries is never considered
and they would fam regard themselves
as martyrs to circumstances when in
truth the deception can be seen through
by all their friends.
The unsuccessful merchant initiates
the ways and style of the successful one;
greatly to the injury of his creditors.
The evil does not, however, stop here.
The same plan is adopted by the mer-
chants clerk, who affects q fine house
in the suburbs, keeps q couple of serv-
ants, lives in good style and entertains
troops of friends. No one pretends that
he can afford to do this or that it can
last for any considerable time; still, the
system prevails to considerable extent.
The false notion of keeping up appear
ances serves as an excuse and cloak
for all manner of wasteful extravaganza.
We fear, also, that it begets habits of q
more criminal character which cannot
but be deplored. But why all this de-
sire to appear richer than he really is?
There is an end to all things, and those
who live in this assumed and artificial
style speedily realize this truth. Debts
accumulate and means decay; and then
these people, who have always stood
upon their dignity and kept up appear
ances take the cap round to their friends
for the purpose of obtaining temporary
assistance. This must be very humili-
ating and at the same time il unpro-
ductive of any permanent benefit, owing
to their having contracted habits which
are difficult to curb and lead to greater
excuses. The result generally Is that
the parties who adopt these unwise plans
are the architects Of their own misery.
They can never hope to attain that
proud position of being Independent of
work they condemn themselves to per-
petual anxiety, and though their labor
may be incessant they will never reap
the advantage Of their industry. &
| We regret to say that vast numbers Of
workingmen come under this category.
Most skilled artisans earn sufficient, II