New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-19
dren of the poor are cared for. in rlch ana
charitable metropolis.
TIE HAUNTED MIN.


The Haunted Man is taking his holiday
sadly. Wherever he goes he is pursued by
trouble and vexation. He is making tour OF
Measure with his wife and children, but every
thing turns out wrong. Others find amusement
in the mountains or at the sea-shOre, and re-
freshine quiet on the farm this unfortunate
family only have the fatigue and expense OF
travelling without the enjoyment. Inc
Haunted Man has lived laborious and sue
cessful life. He has given his whole mind to
the making and saving Of money. lie mas
watched the markets, calculated cost and de-
vised economies, until he has laid by compe-
fence. and there is no need for him to worry
about small savings. But the business habit"
as he would call it, though most OF us would
Give his thrift "A less honorable name, has be-
come his tsrant. In his eaGerness to practise
the art of getting he forgot to learn the art OF
spending; and now that he has money he an
take no comfort in the use of it. Everything
that he buys is too dear. Every claim upon his
purse must be disputed and reduced. He is
haunted by phantasmal half-dollars.
The babt which is trouble to him is a
modification TO his family. He keeps his big
daughter in short skilts so that she may travel
at half fare, and the railway Journey is spole
by the alterations with conductors and the
pouts and tears of the young lady. The ar
rival is accompanied by a dispute with the
hackman and some words with the porter; ;
and engaging rooms at a hotel is an ordrai
W hich the family have learned to dread only
less than the paying of the bill. The Haunted
Man makes the acquaintance of other bOarders
10 tell them that the rates are altogether TOO
high and the charges Of the bootblacks an out
rage which he cannot submit to. Fees to SER
wants are an extorton to which he is opposed
on principle lie and his train are conse-
ouently regarded in the diningrOom with
marked dislike, and are served with the toue Ii
ends of steaks, lukewarm cakes and Clipped
crockery. Prompt and thoughtful attendance
is a luxury which they never enjoy. They are
always confronted by surly faces; and 1t gen.
orally happens that the disfav0r OF the servants
is communicated in some way to the gussts.
From being unpopular in the kitchen, the
Haunted Man finds that people rather draw
apart from him in the paror. He starts with
the rule of paying no more than he absolutely
must, OF beating down, OF getting every thing
under price, aud cxacting the fullest measure
for his money; and the result is that he
gets less than anybody else in the house, and
he goes away grumbling and detested
1t is not quite clear wherein his summer re-
creation il any better than the rest of the year )
work. The "business habit" has kept him
driving sharp bargains and counting pence. 1t
has preoccupied bis mind all through the noun
tain drive and the steamboat voyage. He
thinks that he is taking holiday because he
r.. Il. +bo axabl hut
he has only varied the scene OF his operations,
and instead of managing large transactions In
trade he is trying to get the better Of landlords
and coachmen. lie will go home next month
weary and dsgusted with his trip; and he will
have no agreeable rccolections of anything
that he has seen, nor "A good word Tor any
house which has entertained him. One of the
chief accomplishments of the wise traveller is
the art of spending small change with discre-
ton and eQuanmity. lie knows that AN outlay
not strictly nece ssary may be n cheap invest
ment and that "A petty saving may cost too
much in w0rry and discomfort. He will not
spoil an excursion by fretting over a possible
oycrcharge for the omnibus. He will not
let n twenty-five cent piece shut out his view
of the Atlantic Ocean. Above all things he
will strive for IA placid mind, spending no more
than he can afford, but remembering that
cheerfuness and content are well worth pay
ing for.