Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1890-12-01
WHAT A HAN COSTS.
Diary OF . Householder Who S,ent
$4,000 In Twesty six Years.

OSsrv OF Householder Who SDent
$4,000 In Twesiy. six Years.
indianapolis Hews.l
What does it cost to bring up 4
family? A gentleman whose expe.
rience will Do recognized a. having
points In common with other house.
holders, hes preserved 40 account Of
the expense to which be has been in
rearing . family of four children.
To-day he entered the following
state ment in his diary. !. might BE- 4
valuable statistical fact for census
takers:
ITO day I close my diary. Twenty.
six years ago to-day l undertook to
keep an accurate statement of oil nv
earnings and expenses, 80 that nigh,
know actually how much it costs to
live in the married state. Then al
was anticipation. l and my young
wife counted our resources and our
expectations. l received t15a week,
with q promise of more. owned .
house comfortable enough for frugal
young people to begin life in. We
were spared house rent, therefore, and
our expenses have never included this
item. Retrosp~ctively ses that We
have brought ny four children ia CON.
paratively easy circumstances. Nv
health has been good aud my earnings
have been constantly received. l
! now receive $50 . week and We still
own the homestead without anv great
additions to lie wealth, except in an
increased amount OF furniture. II
have little more money than had
whe" first married. Perhaps, Ill told,
| have $500 now Of assets; then | |
had perhaps $500. W. have never
wanted for bread. Sometimes we
have felt in need of more money.
Three Of the children are now making
their own way. Next week tn. fourth
graduates ut the high school, having
received the same schooling that the |
Others have had, aud will begin to
look out for himself.
II shall not necessarily be at any |
more expense on account of my chill
dren, and the diary properly ends
now. Would l be willing to 90
through the same experience again of
rearing family? asked my com.
panion, who had borne the greater
part, this question, and l know that
size spoke with heart full of love, but
WAS compelled to say: Not for all
that money could buy would 20
through again what has been neces
sary 10 rear family
"Exprsssrd in dollars, the total.
are these: In 26 years we have 70.
ceived from my wages aud incidental
moneys that came through my wife
and the children, $4O,90O-or say
$40, O00-besides the amount ct in
crease in the permanent assets. Given
a plant Of about $4,000 and two EN-.
ployes, man aud wife, it has there
fore cost $4,000 to each man pro-
duced. This Of course include. all
employees expenses. The plant is
slightly enhanced in value, but the
employees have seen their Rest days.
The quality of the goods is yet to be
demonstrated. Prospects happily
point to cessation Of labor and an in
crease of receipts, but there is 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: Doctors bills (27 yesrs).
s2l0O land all paid, probably the
only instance on record); groceries,
average per week for the first FIVE
years. 81; next three, 80; remainder
Of the 26 years, Sl3 a week. For 10
years it has taken on an average one
pair Of shoes per week for the family,
including myself and wife. The {
most annoying thicg have ever t
known is the rapidity with which d
wear out shoes. Only one
hing approaches 1.-THE high price =
of children's shoes. ! never could
understand how, with all the civil,za. e
ion of the age, and the demand for q
cheaper results, children's shoes have !
not been reduced in price. The hu> !.
nan shoe is a failure. No man not !
'ich can afford to buv shoes for fam. Q
". and if had it to do l would 90
o Timhuctoo where neither horses. Q
mules, camels nor men are shod."
Rem ark Ahln Namm,no q