The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-12
WHAT A FAMILY COSTS.
EXTRACT From tho Diary Of Practice
Man-Shoes Beat Everything.

EXTRACT From the Diary Of Practical
Man-shoes Beat Everything.
What does it cost to bring up familyp
A gentleman, whose experience will be
recognized az having points in common
with other householders, has preserved an
account Of the expense to which he has
To-day he entered the following statement
in his diary, says the Indianapolis News.
II might be valuable fact for tho census
takers:
To-day close my diary. Twenty-six
years ago to-day undertook to keep an
accurate statement of all my earnings and
expenses, 20 that might know actually
how much II costs to live IN married
state. Then all was anticipation. I and
my young wife counted our resources and
our expectations. received SIS week,
with the promise Of more. owned
house comfortable enough for frugal
young people to begin life in,
We were spared house rent, there
fore, and our expenses have never
included this item. Retrospectively, Gee
that we have rave: brought up four children il
health has been good. and my earnings
have been constantly received. now re-
ceive $50 week. and We still own the
homestead, without any great additions to
its wealth. except in an increased amount
than had when first married. Perhaps,
all told. have $500 now Of assets, then
had perhaps $1,000 We have never wanted
for bread. Sometimes We have felt in need
of more money. Three of the children are
fourth graduates at the high school, having
received the same schooling that the others
have had, and will begin to look ont for
himself.
II shall not necessarily be at any more ex-
Penso ON account Of my children, and the
to 60 through tho same experience again Of
raising family? asked my companion,
who had borne the greater part, this ques-
tion, and know that she spoke with heart
full Of love, but was compelled to say: Not
through again what has been necessary 70
rear family
Expressed in dollars the totals are these:
In twenty-six years We have received from
my wages and incidental moneys that came
through my wife and the children. go, 500
or, say ~, O00-besides the amount Of in
crease in the permanent assets. Given q
plant Of about 5000 and two employees,
man and wife, 1t has taken, therefore. about
$1,000 to each man produced. This, Of
course, included all employees expenaes.
No PlauLb bIHQt1y 6uuAuC6O IN v6Au6, Dut
the employees have seen their best days.
The quality Of the goods is vet to be DEM
onstrated. Prospects happily point to cess-
alton Of labor and an increase of receipts,
but there 10 no certainty about this. The
employees are proud of their work. but don't
want another job.
"Some Of the items Of expense have been
these: Doctore' bills (twenty-reven yearsl.
@. 100 (and all paid, probably the only i'm
stance ON record); groceries, average Per
week arst i've years, g; NEXT three g; 70
week. For ten years II has taken on an
average Of cns pair Of shoes per ysek tor
the family. including myself and wife. Tho
most annoying thing ] ever knew = the
fspidity With which children wear ont
shoss. Only one thing Approaches 1.-THE
high price Of children's shoes. I never
could understand how, with all the civili-
sation Of the age and the dsmand fox
been reduced in price. The human shoe .
failure. No man not rich can aaord 20
buy shoes for family. and II had II 3 %
would 70 10 Timbootoo, where ueithee
horssaI mules, oamelAy 1pe 1sa ~ -