Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-07-20
The Pleasures of Economy.

THE pleasures of economy are so
subtle that it is only those who prac-
tice the art who experience the enjoy
mspt. Doubtless Miss Cr9SuS would
laugh at the bare idea, and thank her
stars that she had never been SO put to
it for pleasure as to rob the poor of
their particular perqulslte; but that is
only because she knows nothing about
it. She has never been obliged to doc
tor Der gloves with benzine, and know
the exquisite delight Of seeing them
come out as good as new. She has
never had to exercise her wits about
her spring costume. Her mind is il
capable of cOnceiving the enjoyment of
wearing last years bonnet, of coming
out as 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 fur trimming or
Titan braid. That her best silk had
run the gauntlet of half a dozen sea-
sons and twice as 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
bow had been resOrted to here to cover
a discOlOratiOn, and pocket there to
conceal weakness in the texture,
would not strike her as a chef d'OatUre
in Misunderstanding, but leave in her
mind only a painful sensation of pinch
ing poverty. But this is all the fault
of her education and prepOssesSiOns.
Economy and pleasure are antipodal
things in 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 go a great
way, dnu have eucceeded-that ecOnO-
my has It's cOmpensating pleasures.
The knowledge that one had used ones
talent to the best advantage, has made
respectable appearance on small al
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 resOurc-
es and ingenuity, while the comfort
derived from the fact that, with made
quate provision we have cOmpassed
that for which others have required
an abundance, is quite inestimable. In
the mean time we all know that econ
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 a 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 sacrifice.-Harper's
B0z0T