The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1880-09-16
CHARGE 1T.

A simple little sentence is this, to
be sure, aud yet it may be consider
ed as one of the most insidious enes
mics with which people have to deal
1t is very pleasant to have all the
little commodities offered for sale in
the market, and it is sometimes hard
to deny ones self of the same, when
they can be obtained by saying
"charge it." But this habit of get
ting articles, however small the
charge may be, without paying for
them, keeps ones fluids il a low
state most of the time.
4 have no money to-day but
should like the article much, says a
young man who happens to go into
a store and sees something which
strikes his fancy.
Never mind said the gentleman
ly clerk, you are good for it,
well, l will take it and you may
charge it,
And so it is that little accounts are
opened at one place and another, till
the young man is surprised at his
liabilities /; which though small in
detail, are sufficiently large in ag>
gregate to reduce his cash material
ly when settling day comes.
In many instances, if the cash
we're required, the purchase would
not be made even had the person the
money by him but to some, getting
an article charged does not seem like
parting with an equivalent.
Still, when payday comes, as all
ways it does, this illusion vanishes,
and feeling is experienced of part
ing with money and receiving moth
ing in return.
If there is an actual necessity of
making a purchase, and the means
are not at hand; there is a reasOna-
BILE excuse for obtaining the same on
credit but when the article can be
dispensed with until payment can be
made, it is much to the advantage
of the purchaser to do SO.
ave must have nice set OF fur
niture," says a young couple about
to be united 10 marriage, but we
have not the means. However, we
will get it and have it charged
And so they start life with debt
hanging over them for which there
is no occasion.
The habit once formed is difficult
to break away from, and whenever
anything is wished for, it is pur>
chased without considering that cir
cumstances may arise which will
render the payment impossible.
When there is certainty OF
health and supply of labor, it
would place rather different con-
struction on the matter. But con
sidering the Auctuating character of
business, making it possible that a
mechanic may be be thrown out of
employing at any time, it is GER
tainIy better to be prepared for such
emergencies by keeping clear of
debt.
Sickness may also overtake one at
any time, and the thought that
numerous charges are standing
against us, aggravates the disease
and renders the misfortune harder to
bear.
Taking this view of the matter is
it not better to forego the pleasure OF
possessing articles which our taste
may prompt US to purchase until the
means are in hand 2 1t is easy to
say charge it, but not always 30
easy to pay it.
And this is always the ultimatum.
If payment is deferred too long the
very one who politely tells the pur-
chaser that it will make no difference
about the money. will say be had no
business to buy fine feathers if he
had no prospect of paying.
And in a measure this is true. BY
pursuing such course a person is
never Independent; the host of little
debts are ever ready to perplex and
worry him, when that for which they
were incurred has been used. Hence
it may be said that the custom of
charging is unjust both to purchaser
and seller, as the one loses his
peace of mind and the other otten-
times loses his money. Getting into
debt is easy, but getting out is just
the reverse and for that reason it
would be we'll for people to ask when
about to make purchase in a man
ner alluded to, is it not best for me
to wait until | have the money, and
then not have to order the seller to
"charge it 7"
Draafdant Houa5