New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-09-04
The Hole in the Floor.

The Hole in the FLOOR.
The life-object Of Seth Grower and
Susan, his wife, was to amass property.
1t had been their aim since their welded
existence, which now counted fifteen
years, and was still cherished as the dear
est wish of their hearts. No change was
made except it would hasten the desired
consummation of this long nutured hope :;
no outlay was ventured upon unless it
promised existence in the boarding of
money. Not days respite had the one
from unceasing application to business !;
not an hour passed that, the other was not
planning some new way to save dollars
and cents. ~ ''rt@
for property, it would be strange had
their children escaped the infection.
Their little faces frightened at the sight
Of a penny, not that it would procure
sweetmeats, but because it would add an
other to their store of coins; and the
small hand grasped it withi as instructive
and keen pleasure as an aged miser
clutches his gold. The oft:repeated pa
rental injunction ga penny saved is a
penny earned fell upon the childish
ears, but childish wisdom applied the
maxim; the confectioner and frult-vend-
Ell were rarely called upon by the young
Groyners--the seed was taking root.
Mr.. and Mrs. Grower had nothing to
give away. Poverty was rude'y repulsed
misfortune, in the garb OF dependency,
met with rebuke instead of sympathy;
sorrow, in the persons of mourning
widows and fatherless children, vainly
sought words Of consolation and help
ing hand; the kindly voice of pity, and
the whisperings of charity, were unheard
by ears inaccessible save to the hints of
frugality, the suggestions Of economy, or
the promptings OF prudence. All, little
do the unfortunate gain from those MAX
ing haste to be rich!
Reading, the cheapest of ]uxuries, Mr..
Grower thought too expensive to be en-
couragcd. Books cost money, and news
papers couldnh be had for nothing, even
if there wasn't any postage on them.
When he was rich he would have Ii
brary worth showing. His wife had no
social intercourse with her friends and
neighbors, visits took time, and if she at
tended parties, she would be expected to
give them. That would not do: so she
remained at home, mind and body alb
sorbed in the one paramount idea. Did
either feel q lingering desire to listen to
the notes of some lauded singer, or the
eloquence Of distinguished lecturer, the
price of tickets of admission softened
disappointment and made the sacrifice
seem less. tt'-,
The Grower children were never per-
mitted to leave the dusty, crowded city
tor dav in the woods with their COM
paniOns. The fare back and forth was
not to be disregarded; and an excursion
Of this nature was inevitably attended
with more or less torn clothes. Money
was always the mothers inducement; a
promise of three or four cents each made
the little men bear the privation heroic
ally. All, nature is a better teacher than
mother whose idol is gold! One opens
the hearr to kindly influence, makes it
more susceptible to genial impressions,
quickens brotherly love, and brings the
creature nearer the Creator; the other
blunts the sensib;lities, cnokes the
springs Of benevolenee, clogs the aspir-
ing spirit, making it insensible to a loft
Ter sentiment than the love OF gain. Are
there no other Mrs. Growers?
None of the family attended churrh
for pew-rent was an item, and ministers
tax not an unimportant consideration. II
preaching and good example cost moth
ing, they would have availed themselves
OF their benefits, but as it was, parents
and children were ssa law unto them
selves" Their living was Of the plainest
possible kind, and quantity was studied
as closely as Quality. None of she Grow
ners were afflicted with govt or dyspepsia
if their palates were never RECALLED by
dainty dishes.
Mr. Seth and Mrs. Susan were threat
ened with a dire calamity, in the shape 8
a visit from an elderly relative whe
had troubled them but once since theil
marriage. A letter had been received
avowing his intention to become better
acquainted with his nephew and niece
They knew little about him, save that be
was q childless old man, rather odd in his
ways, and burdened with but small Dor.
ton of this worlds goods. Yet this much
was certain: his stay with them would be
attended with great inconvenience, and
expensive and the last reflection was the
most annoying Of all.
t53ssgis stt3't3A 40. 4 ttf4fs- .t9s