Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-01-26

| IL means ABOUT lne same luluS
Finally left and went to Sharp &
| Lookout's on two hundred a year more
Ethan Hunt x ketchum gave me. l had
always dressed in business-suit for
church., but I was getting older and it
would look better to have a real black
| suit, something that would not show the
work and wear of the week 1twould not
make any difference in the end, as | could
| wear ii in the store after left Oft wearing
| it Sundays.
went out considerably, evenings to
| church, societies, concerts, etc, and one
feels better to have clothes on that he
knows is "best suit" The seventh
year was political one and as belonged
to the biggest party, and every one knows
there are times in a mans life that polti.
cal influence may be of use to him. |
wanted to keep all could. If didn't
help, wouldn't l be considered luke
warm
All of this time met my church obli
cations, and the eighth year our minister
wanted change. 1t had been very hard
for him, and as l was Chairman of the
committee to raise funds to pay his eX-
penses for foreign trip could do no
| less than put my name down for enough
to pay the voyage over.
The ninth year my influence was such
among men tina, l was ashamed Of my
silver watch; for any observing person
we'll knows that a watch is an index to a
mans standing in society I could not
get half the value for my old one. and as
| | had not given my parents anything but
my cast-otf clothes l gave my father the
silver one. The old neighbors and our
folks thought was getting rich to be able
to do this.
The next year, which was the tenth, was
the last that the pledges of the church
were due, and as l had never had vaca-
ton l thought it no more than right that
| should take rest This was urged by
my mates, and our friends can tell
what is best for us sometimes. Sharp Il
Lookout objected little, but had been
faithful hand, and I was allowed to
go if l did not expect pay" in my
absence. | stayed longer than lexpected,
and they found man for less salary; of
course they had good excuse for dis
missing me under the circumstances, or
one that suited their pockets, rather /
was out of employment two months, but
during the time learned telegraphing; it
helps IA man to know more than one ortwo
things, and the little expenses l was to in
the way of board could pay when l found
work.
The eleventh and twelfth years spent
| as an agent Agents do make fabulous
wages sometimes, and expenses are not
high in the country. 1t rained a great
deal the first season, and could not sell
all the time, but no one was to blame for
that, and, unfortunately, the next year the
firm broke down. People shook their
heads and thought | had better have
stayed at Hunt & Ketchum's, as the man
that took my place had married old
ketchum's youngest daughter, and her
father was not long for this world but
who can foresee the futureg So l cannot
see as | was any TO blame for not laying
up this time. The thirteenth year went
back to the city, and luckily found a sit
uation at almost my old price. ! was
determined to put by set sum every
quarter, but it was really necessary to give
myself care first. It's q little humiliating
to go back among your friends in come
down state; besides, one has some duties
toward society, and had been deprived
of it for two years. 1t took this year and
the next to get back into my former
clothes and position; and when the fit
teenth year OF my business life came l was
really prepared to lay up money.
Now my best fellow got married, and
the rest Of us thought we could not afford
the luxury of a wife, but we would show
our friend that we could have good time
after all Most of the fellows in our set
furnished a room, kept a library of books,
and had real snuggery. Books are never
considered eXtravagant, you know, and
one can never spend his money foolishly
if he expends it in books. SO | bought
hundred volumes at the start, and II
bookcase, which never imagined cost
so much. and felt happy. | remembered
the first watch, and profited by it in buy.
ing the book -case-it was the best.
went into society the next year more than
ever. attended lectures and all the first
class concerts. | always took lady as
people of my age Il was thirty seven)
grow narrow minded and lose that grace
Of manners il they do not mingle with the
gentler sex. II costs a great deal To hire a
livery every time one wants to ride; be-
sides, person is never sure of safe
horse, and ladies are timid, and want a
driver to know his horse. A good horse
will bring the cash any day, and SO l re-
solved tn buy one.
Somehow did not get out of debt until
my fortieih birthday, and had been nine
teen years in the wide world So | re-
solved to curtail my expenses and start
anew. ! am sure anyone can see how
difficult 1t has been for me thus far, but to
persons situated differently the case would
be altogether different
! ain sure | do not see the reason why
never saved anything up to this point.
am not a spendthrift, have no bad habits
do not drink, smoke or play cards-but
there must be leak somewhere. But
how am to saveg 1t man goes into
cheaper lodgings people will think he i.
getting loose IN his habits, and, moreover
he must be running down in business as
we'll. ! do mean 10 give To none but the