The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-07-20
The Pleasures of Economy.

IllE pleasures of economy are SO
subtle that it is only those who prac-
tice the art who experience the enjoy
ment. Doubtless Miss Crpsus would
laugh at the bare idea, and thank her
stars that she had never been sn put to
it for pleasure as to rob the poor of
their particular perquisite: but that is
only because she knows nothing about
it. She has never been obliged to doc
tor her gloves with benZine, and know
the exquisite delight of seeing them
come out us good as new. She has
never had to exercise her wits about
her spring costume. Her mind is in
capable of conceiVing the enjoyment Of
wearing last years bonnet, of coming
out us fine as fiddle in the dyed frag-
ments of two old cashmere gowns. She
would suffer deep humiliation and no
possible thrill of pleasure in the fact
. that she had Worn her cloak for three
successive winters, only varying its
expression by Il fur trimming OF a
Titan braid. That her best silk had
run the gauntlet of half dozen sea-
sons and twice us many fashions
would be something too unfortunate in
the annals of wardrobe to be men
toned to ears polite; that it had been
| turned upside down and inside out,
and pieced down with cambric-that a
bow had been reSorted to here to cover
discoloration, and pocket there to
conceal a weakness in the texture,
would not strike her as u chef 6'Ourre
i'll Misunderstanding, but leave in her
mind only Il painful sensation Of pinch
ing poverty. But this is all the fault
of her education and prepossessions.
Economy and pleasure are antipodal
things i'll her mental landscape. She
would be as much surprised to hear
that an economist was happy in
the accomplishment of her pro-
fession as if one should tell her that
the felon enjoyed his cell and
prison fare. But all this in no wise
alters the fact-to which all can attest
who by stress of circumstances have
been forced to make a little 90 a great
way, and have succeeded-that econo-
my has its compensating pleasures.
The knowledge that one had used one s
talent to the best advantage, has made
a respectable appearance on small all
lowance, has satisfied hunger at a
slight expense, has allowed nothing to
run to waste, but has utilized what
ever has fallen in ones way, affords a
satisfaction comparable to that of
many achievements which the world
delights to honor. 1t is the perfect
adaptation of means to ends, and in
cludes the development of our resouuc-
es and ingenuity, while the comfort
derived from the fact that, with made
quate provision we have comprised
that for which others have required
an abundance, is quite inestimable. In
tilc lhCdll tliiie We dil hllo" illdl tCOI-
omy is a relative term, signifying
quite different thing to the woman
of wealth and to her who lives upon
her daily earnings; but it is none the
less certain that to each is insured her
full measure of enjoyment in proper
ton to her success in the craft. But
it is true that each receives finer
pleasure from the alms-giving to which
economy has contributed than from
that which is the simple overflow of
the trimming cup, and has cost no
thought and no sacriiice.-Ho,per's
BHznr