Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-11-07
Style of Living,
From the Philadelphia Ledger.

from tlie fElIadelptila Ledger
Much of the misery and crime which now
sfilict mankind might be prevented did each
individual and each family regard it as a serious
duty to consider deliberately and determine
firmly what style of living they ought to adopt
This question is too often set aside and lett to
determine itself, sometimes from an unworthy
fear of looking matters straight in the face,
sometimes from mistaken idea that the sub
jeCt itself is not worth special consideration
ana still Oftener from thoughtlessness that
lives in the present and dreams of no harm in
the future People drift into some part ocular
| style of living. without any better reason than
the past habits of their parents. or the present
hab Is of their friends and without any definite
investigation to whether it is suitable to them
and. thus drifting. the current often carries
them on into rapids where their power of sell
control seems almost lost Then, too, those who
are looked up to for counsel do not always in
Culcate these plain, hOfDely duties. which lie at
the very root of morality and in some degree
religion, with sufficient earnestness and there
| arises a vague feeling Of Their comparative I'M
Importance. which is fatal to their faithful full
fllment.
In this country, especially. where the dstino-
tiOn of classes is practically abolished. the temp
tatiOns to undue expenditures are peculiarly
| strong and numerous. In lands where birth
and rank decide for each one his customary sta
| ton, his aspirations are largely Curtaled and
he is not often induced to Overstep the barriers
which universal custom erects. Here however
| there is nothing to prevent any man from as
| Stunning whatever position he is able to fill, and
! nothing, therefore, to discourage him from
adopting any style of living which he may see
| Mt. The shades of difference that exist among
| our families in this respect are so nearly
imperceptbe that nothing seems easier
| than to cross one line after another in
| crrasing each time the domestic eXpendi-
! ture. In thus following others, the ambitious
| man or woman too often does not know
where to stop. Always looking little beyond
| for an example. it is not strange that many
should be lnred on to pass the definite bounda-
| rles which they should have set up for them
selves. and to spend more than they ought
Thus it happens that many men who might
otherwise he respected and valuable citizens,
sink into disaster. ruin and disgrace; that so
many homes that might be centers of happiness
| are blasted and forsaken; that so many of the
young who start in life with high hopes and tair
prospects are led gradually into courses OF dis
honor and crime They drift into these siOughs
not through any dishonest intention or deiiber-
ate baseness. but simply because they have
never seriously considered what style of living
| they ought to adopt, because not being limited
! in their expenditures by any outside force of law
or custom they have drawn no limits Tor them
| selves.
| Sometimes It is an ambitious wife who urges
| her husband to extravayant outlay OF money
that She may rival or Outshine her neighbors
The handsome equpage, or new furniture. or
COStiS Oct VI sue utC!0TcS. uOLn-
| ing more tnan Others have. may be the beginning
Of their mutual ruin. Restrained by no self
| imposed barrier, these desires increase and null
| Gply; the legitimate business no longer keeps
pace with them; speculation is resorted to. and
| lie OF wearing care begins, bringing all kinds
Of imaginable Evils In it's train. She may plead
that she did not know her husbands resources
and this is indeed one fruitful source Of domestic
extravaganza and unhapp'ness. Never was
/, there more absurd faliacy than to eypect a
tutltcjoug rpOAt t1ft STYLE law
| VINO does not know the means at command
| Together should husband and wife discuss this
matter. with equal understanding and full con-
fdence; and II this were faithfully observed in
| the homes OF our land the amount of financial
| d stress would he largely decreased. But the
husband himself is much more frequently the
cuipabe one in living beyond the income Of the
, household. his error arising from the desire to
| make a show of living like other people" bet
ter off in money than himself (or possibly more
recklcss); show that brings real satisfac-
| tlon and that too often brings debt and wretch
edness In its tram.
What, then. are the limits which q free man or
| woman, In a free land. must impose upon him.
| self or herself In order to live honestly. consist
emily and without undue anxiety? Simply to
contract no debts tor the future to pay. and SO
| TO regulate the expenditure that. without reck-
| onlng on extra possibilities it comes easily
| within the known and certain income Whether
that income be small or great, it should neuer be
exceeded-except when unavoidable misfortune
| c0mpelS. This Is trife advice, but it is one Of
those things which can hardly be emphasized too
strongly or repeated too often. 1t is the only
way to be just, honorable or happy. When the
| means Increase. and then only. can an increased
expenditure be justified; indeed, the gradual
Improvement in both Is the secret of enjoyment
In the art of spending. Whenever this Is made
. subject OF serious reflection, of resolute deter
| mination and of conscientious practice it will
prove the best safeguard against pecuniary EN-.
barrassments and the best promoter Of q peace
ful mind.