The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-02-09
Cheap Living.


has been probing the publicmind on the
subject Of James Shorts weekly salary
Of $40, his supporting Il wife and child
in comfort and responsibility. and saw
ing money thereon. The almost unan-
unity with which no is denounced is
marvellous. He Ia the best. or worst,
abused man, among people who earn
small gains. In New York. Ono would
think him public malefactor instead of
O public benefactor, who is endeavoring
to teach comparatively poor people how
to obtain nourishing and succulent food
at the least possible cost.
A stalwart 'longshoreman was OF the
opinion that James Short WAS an agent
OF the giant monopolics. and was EN-.
ployed to reduce workinSmen's wages
TO lower standard than they are at
present I'D like to shut him up, and
feed him on his own bill Of fare for six
months"
A communistic tailor had read overy
word that Mr.. James Short had written
in the San, and had no objection to that
gentleman filling himself with bad
beans. but he'd rather be excused
THAT man. SIR" said the tailor. warm.
ing up. 'is an enemy to the human race
and tit for treason, stratagem, and
spells. Live on SO week! 1t can't be
DONE" On its being pointed out that it
was done, the tailor almost foamed with
excitement. "Bah!' he blurted out
ut can't be done, I tell you. I'd like to
hear the woman's side of the story. I'll
bet she Is household drudge. Don't
pity poor little Jackson"
Walk In. sir. Walk in." said de-
cently-attired woman. taking her hands
out OF q tub of steaming clothes and
wiping thom on her apron. 80 you
want to talk about Mr.. James Shorts
letters in the Sun. think he is Just
right. A small family can live on $40
q week."
Wont you walk into the parlorp"
and she led the way into coy, we'll
ROOM. 1--WE have lived on $40
q week aud paid Sl5 month rent,
though thank goodness, We are little
better of now. Yes, aud there were
seven Of US in family-my husband.
four children. and my mother-in-law.--
My husband Is janitor to small society
but you, mustn't mention his name, for
his employers might not like it. and, be-
sides, ! don't want my affairs made
public. Well, the great art of living
cheaply Is to look after every penny and
8 stitch In time,' you know, saves
nine You can't live cheaply If YOU
buy penny's worth at the time. Why.
I know people who buy all ounce of
this. two ounces of that, and quarter
Of pound Of the other, and then won
der why they don't get along. It's i'm
possible 10 do SO in that way. Yes; we
were always decently dressed. and the
children well shod. Indeed. neighbors
who had more money than we envied
Dur appearance. consider it economy
10 always purchase the best. 1t goes
further. My husband says: .Hyou only
give me q piece of meat that big indi-
eating about half the size Of a postal.
card. give 1t me good And he's
right For breakfast we had bread and
butter, cheese, coffee, and q piece OF
meat for my husband. because he had
10 go to work and needed something
more nourishing. For luncheon the
same As breakfast. In the evening,
when my husband came home. We had
Inner Railways a hot dinner. with in
7sriably two kinds Of vegetables. No;
We saved no money"
The above conversation was held in u
house only two blocks east of Broadway.
Nearly opposite and in tho rear of
m easy stones throw from
police headquarters, dwells the family
II man who earns Sl.25 pee day.
The wife, q young woman looked care
worn.
"My husband" said the woman, "is
American born, and gateman on the
elevated road. He earns Sl.2j day.
some months he does not work Sun
lays, 10 he averages about $50 per
month. have two children. We pay
81 month rent for three rooms BE-
orc WAS married worked out. H. il
lificult to get along. What with sick
less and one thing and another it is i'm
possible to lay by anything"
As the woman spoke the tears came
into her eyes. Restraining herself. she
MY husband drink ~
glass of beer like any man. but rs he
SAINT afford II he don't. He is very
good. and brings me all he earns. Ii
be made SO week think should be
happy. l couldn't give you the itoms.
| only know that when he brings me the
money and l pay the rent and buy my
supplies it is nearly gone. We
use astral oil because / am afraid the
oil might explode and burn
the children. A bag Of -four costing
Bios lasts q month. Coal We buy by
The ton. which lasts us two months. We
Eat very few vegetables besides potatoes
as they are beyond our means. Our
meat bill Is about 81 month. Milk is
IN expensive item, but the children are
delicate and need it. am afraid my
husband will never better himself. as he
knows nothing else to do."-N. !. Sun.