Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1889-06-27
A Dangerous Retrenchment
What it Cost to Do without Daily Pa
per.

1t was the beginning of the year, and
Mr.. Archibald Wise had made up his
mind that he must economize some-
where. After debating the matter for
some time he concluded to give up
taking regularly daily paper. Mrs.
Wise yentured a remonstrance:
''Why not give up some personal
expenses" she said, ''instead of hitting
upon something which will affect the
entire familyP Cigars, for Instance;
/ have often thought it would be a
positive benefit could you do without
them"
Mr.. Wise was kind husband and
father, but, like many another man,
once he had resolved upon certain
thing he was not easily turned aside.
1.-The family" he began in reply,
"consists only of you and me, my
dear, so far as the use of paper is
concerned. Our children, all under
IA years of age, are not exactly eager for
news, take it; and as to my getting
along without cigars, could far more
easily go without my coffee in the
morning or tea at night. You can not
imagine the solace contained in ci-
gar to tired or perplexed man of
business"
But Mrs. Wise still demonstrated:
.'You are mistaken" she said, ''in
thinking that the children do not need
the daily paper. Indirectly they do; |
find a great deal of interest and in
struction in our paper with which to
teach the children. | really hope you
will reconsider before actually stop
ping it."
81 shall buy a paper quite often,"
replied Mr.. Wise. "Of course man
must know something of what is 60
ing on in the world about him, but
think a daily of numerous pages quite
unnecessary, and | must be allowed
to exercise my judgment in the mat
ter"
1t ian old saying that the remark,
"allow meto Judge puts an end to al
most any discussion. Accordingly
Mrs. Wise said no more, but it de-
pressed her to feel that the friendly
visits of her favorite daily must be dis
continued.
At first Mr.. Wise carried home lit
tie thin substitute for the old favorite
nearly every night, but by degrees
even that came less and less frequent
ly. When he boasted to his wife that
he really got s,e news almost as COM
pletely as ever by watching the bulle-
tins and hearing men talk, she replied
rafferty, dryly that men did have con-
siderable advantage over women in
the matter of getting news without
paying for it. They could stand and
a N nt la
posted on the side of newspaper build
ings and CLEAN a good deal from other
men. Yes, it was a real sharp way to
economic without losing much, cheap
and perfectly nice, she supposed.
Although Mrs. Wise's manner was
tranquil as a summer sea, yet her
words sruffled and irlitated her husband;
and if the truth were known, it was
not all quite smooth sailing for Mr..
Wise He did not actually enjoy sit
ting in the station or horse cars empty
handed, among groups of men, all of
whom, except himself, had open pa
pers in their hands; so he resorted to
the expedient of carrying a folded pa
per in the breast pocket of his coat, that
it might appear as if he had paper
which presumably had already been
perused.
One evening as he was hurrying to-
ward the station, little ragged gamin,
with papers under his arm, ,squinted up
into in his face and cried:
"Mister, want to read all about the
c'lissonP"
"What collisionP" asked Mr.. Wise.
"Oh, you buy the paper and find
out" said the urchin, his phiz in the
air and his little grimy paw held out
for pennies.
81 have paper" said Mr.. Wise,
glancing toward his breast pocket.
"Bet you amt seen bout the ell
lision," persisted the boy; "it's a spec
ial in my paper; better have one, SON.
ny!"
But Mr.. Wise haughtily eschewed
all counsel from such a source, and
hurried on.
On the train he seated himself be-
tween acquaintances, who looked up
from their papers to exchange greet
ings.
"Bad news this evening"
eyes; quite collision replied Mr..
Wise.
"Ah, hadn't seen that" said his
friend; "where do you find itP"
81 haven't read the particulars"
said Mr.. Wise, feeling the uncertainty
of his position.
"Will you allow me to see your pa
perP" asked the gentleman on his 9TH
er side. He was an agent for life in
surance companies, and added, "Tm
making list of accidents lately, with
a motive"
Mr.. Wise realized the danger of tax
ing subterfuge in further deception.
81 haven't the account in my paper"
he said. 81 heard the matter men
toned, but can't tell anything about
it. Thought | might hear more from
you," he added blandly. Another mo-
ment he adroitlv changed the subject.