Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-08-23
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Economy No q.

Editor Ssdr--I only ask your forbearance
for single article on the question of civ
Ing" II may be that an exchange of views
and experience will be of benefit to some, for
let us know the fact, IL we cannot live in
washington on our salaries OF 81 300 or
al 400. II not, then we certainly are foolish
if we remain; for what sane man would con-
tinue in losing business, or even a barely
living one? On the contrary, we receive
TO a half better than one half the employees
In our land. In "Clerk's" cry of the 18th he
has, by his own figures, written himself
down either fool or an ape. and both when
he spends his entire income in the vain,
empty head ID, sristocratic effort, trying to
ape the rich. 1t is no credit to a PEE son TO
occupy $50 house, run three or four stoves,
attend all places OF amusementS. and keep a
servant, when every one who knows him
laughs at his empty style, and knows him To
be poorer than q church mouse. The wrong
animal is in the lion's skin and the ttempt
to roar about expenses proves il. Some
think they must put on airs and keep a ser
want at cost Of IS, and SIS more to board
them, when they never saw such an embel-
lisbment before coming here. To keep ser
rant with some light heads seems to be style
tgr a eL of ees This is the most abhorred
wives would not have a servant around in
the way.
Let ".Clerk" reform, instead of whining
through the press. There are plenty OF
splendid houses, little out, all modern i'm
provements, no doubt much better than he
ever occupied In his life before coming here,
for s15 10 $50. Unless really needed, let him
discharge his expensive servant, run fewer
stoves, cut down all unnecessary expenses
and he Will soon wonder how lucky he was
to get such paying appointment.
am 81 200 clerk, have a nice house. gas
and bath, for SIC. We hire our washing
ironing and scrubbing; don't owe a dollar in
the city. NV willing wife, a graduate of
Delaware, Ohio, Female Seminary, fiuds
pleasure in doing nearly all our baking and
light, healthful housewOrk, and has plenty
of time to entertain company, in her tidv
parlor, and return calls. Here is my actual
average expenses per month, carefully kept
in book for that purpose alone. NV fami-
ly is adults and children, aged II and I:
Rent, $500; fuel, SO Is; light o. cents: ser
want, 500; servants board. = 90: meat and
lard, $500 flour and bread, - 10; vegetable
$500; butter, S13O milk, 81 81 fruit - *:
sugar, ~ 10; coffee and tea, : 20 washing
&c. -. %; all other items, S3.CO-tOtal so 90.
These are my expenditures for July. They
VIII always average from lS TO $50. Now,
you see there is quite difference between
my OUTLAWS and those of CLERKS" One
could easily spend every cent OF an 81 800
salary. have been a clerk seven years. [
pay annually $3.50 on tract OF railroad land ,
and have il nearly paid for, besides $40 to-
day in bank in this city at 6 per cent. inter
est Let "Clerk" and all others practice
economy: If not satisfied. let them resign
There are hundreds of competent men who
airy. "Clerk' can go back, work on q farm
at so. or clerk 10 a country store al s35 or
else cease using the journals 10 try discour-
age others. Let him save his earnings. re.
move the blush Of poverty from his wffe's
cheek, and degradation from himself and be
happy, but not foppish, gingerbread. whin-
Ing spendthrit. ECONOMY No 2.