The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-02-17

the wrecks of households strewn all along
the pathway of life, and how deploraole
their condition. From ease and comfort
they lave fallen into poverty and disgrace,
and all because they spent more money
than they earned-because they. were so
ciety' people and were compelled to main
tain their station in life. Oh, what shad-
Ows they sought.
While the ruin of many homes is not
traceable directly to the money that was
~squandered in receptions. and teas" anu
their kindred fcllies. still those things were
maintaining their position in society that
their fall is due. Look at the bills that
come tumbling in every month for the need
ed ri clothing with which to make an ex-
hibition at the balls and parties that deiuge
the first circles. Why. we all know that
they are A real stylish society
dress, these days, costs all the way from
$50 to 81 600. And, then, if a new gown is
not purchased once o month they feel that
their high position is being COMPROMISED appS fes
husband, the poor fool, goes down one step
further ON his way to financial ruin by al
lowing the extravaganza to continue, wnen,
by a word. he might end it by taking ms
wife and daughters into his competence ana
explain his inability to meet such demands;
But his love for his wife and family ana
his wi desire to be considered rich" 0p-
scures his vision and he goes on 10 ms
doom. i.
Now while such things may be considered
proper for people whose incomes are large.
who could easily afford a reception" every
day, for that matter, still / am not clear as
to their utility and their value in promot-
ing friendships of the best order. Society,
as a rule, is very heartless and cold. and as
barren of the true instincts of humanity as
money has all been spent the butterfly
friends take wings and seek other flowers
whereon to sip. while the poor wretch who
has given up his all to retain his place In
He casts his eye around among his former
''chums" for one look of recognition
or one word of cheer, but in vain.
They pass him upon the sidewalk
nnnoticed; he,s is crowded out OF
are "cut" most numerically by. all their
former select" companions. and too late
he learns the folly of a society" life.
You know that persons who are really
lnxuries of life, do not care as much for
them as those who assume" to be rich, but
who are, in reality, far from it. The pre-
tenders watch every point in their appear
ance and life in order to detect a weakness
of some kind, so as to enable. them to cover
'"foOP' their friends. The horses may not
be sufficiently stylish; the carriage not OF
the latest pattern; daughter needs a riding
horse, a French professor and an En-
glish maid; the son must make a tour
of Europe, accompanied by a guide; the
house requires a new furnishing through
out; there is not q sufficiency of servants
and a thousand other ways to- get rid OF
money are presented that only the really
wealthy can afford. 1t is these foolish i'm
aginary wants that lure them to their ruin.
Take the "best" circles of Indianapolis,
or those who regard themselves as of that
class, and how many of the members have
excess of the expenses of their businessf
How many, / aski Well, not many, l
guessf And yet 10 one will pretend to
deny that the expense of keeping up q
fashionable household will easily consume
either of the sums named. But even If a
business man has a net income of ten thou
sand a year, he has no moral right to expend
save as much of it as possible for q
'rainy day. when there are no profits. /
know gentlemen in this city worth all the
way from three hundred thousand to a mill
ion dollars who have incomes from twenty
five to seventy-five thousand q year, who
have told me that the demands of society,
if fully met, would consume nearly every
dollar of those incomes, and some of them
are compelled to economic in various
useless expenses.
Let the people of Indianapolis remember
the sad fate Of poor Mr.. Moore, and if those
who are living beyond their means will cut
loose from their surroundings and seek
comfort and pleasure and happiness around
their own tireside instead OF amidst the
whirlpool of fashionable. ~fOllies, they will
quickly become better citizens and happier
men and women. D.. SWING.
CqIcACO Feb 10