Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-08-10
One of the Lessons of Adyer.
Sity.

THE panic of 1878, and the gradual
settling down of values since, have
brought distress and absolute suffering
to many who never before knew how
much trouble lies in the fact of an in
come less than an expense account.
"The panic at first was a matter to
jest about. For while it did not
affect prices or labor, income or expen-
diture. When the first furry was
over there seemed to have been no
reason for any furry at all, and men
began to live again on the same scale.
Since then, and especially during the
last two years, there has been no room
for testing. The panic meant general
balance, and a vast number were not
ready for it. The verbosely hopeful
MicaWber fairly stated vital truth,
the grim certainty of which became
1mpressively prominent: Annual in
come twenty pounds, annual eXpendi-
ture nineteen pounds nineteen six.
result happiness. Annual income
twenty pounds, annual expenditure
twenty pounds ought and six, re-
suit misery" Men found they had
been living on the latter basis. The
balance-sbeet forced into the personal
attention of everybody has had most
careful scanning. The study was how
to increase receipts and diminish ex-
penSes. Increase Of receipts at such a
time is almost an impossibility, and this
fact appearing conclusively, attention
was given with renewed zeal to the
work of cutting down expenses. This
work has had no rest. Expenses of
every kind have been cut down to the
minimum. Smaller houses have been
sought, clothes have been worn that
had been cast aside, the household and
table furniture have had no additions.
the expenses of the table were trimmed
down, less of luxuries presented, and
every article was the least expensive
that could be bought that would be
thought to serve at all. The entire
economy of life has received a thor
ough study. Every item of expense to
every member Of the family, from the
infant in the cradle to the aged grand
parent, was within the scope of the
study. The service of everyone was
utilized. Families keeping three serv-
ants dismissed one, and where they
had required two one was found to be
sufficient, and where one was necessary
before, under the stress of a greater
necessity, it was found that the fami-
ly could do without any outside help.
And so not only was economy of mere
use and display MADE the rule, but it
was equally necessary to study econo-
my of time. Every hour was found
to have value; it could be wasted in
idleness or valueless pursuits, or could
be applied to that which the apparent
need of the household made useful and
profitable.
With all the discomfort and positive
distress at times Of their severe say
ing and economizing, there has with it
come an experience that is invaluable.
We have been learning that of which
we knew least, economy. We have
been required to consider the number
of cents in dollar; we have seen and
known that expenditure less than in
come meant happiness: expenditure
more than income meant misery. Bit
ter as the lesson has been, it will be
worth all it has cost if we can firmly
fix this truth.
There is reason to believe that to
very many the worst of the difficulty |
is past. The abundant crops promise
relief to all who profit by this album
dance. The load of past Indebtedness