Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-05
GOSPEL OF ECONOMY.
1t Nay be a Good Thing to be
Little Short on Provisions.
HINTS ON REDUCING EXPENSES.
The Preacher, the Doctor and the Wife
Are Very Easy Victims
PEEPS BEHIND SOCIETY'S CURTAINS
HINTS ON REDUCING EXPENSES.
PEEPS BEHIND sOCIgTY's CURTAINS
WRITTEN FOR THE p1sPArcEI

bne cry III one sao chorus that the crops are
short. Fruits are very scarce, grain is like
ly to be much dearer, and loaves of bread
will either be less in size or larger in price.
This is to be hard winter, in some RESPECTS.
for ordinary people. 1t is more than likely
that the rich monopolist will try to corner
the poor mans bread and grind his face"
irrespective of the woe that is pronounced
against such people. Now, while it may be
a fact that the very poor cannot practice
much more in the line of economy than they
do, there is a class, or rather, there are
classes, OF people who can. To them will
my remarks be especially addressed.
1t has been said that the French nation
can live on what the American people waste.
This can hardly be true, but it contains
enough OF truth to set the people thinking
whether or no there is not some plan of
eeonomizing in household expenses. One
of the best inducements to practice economy,
it seems to me, is that we may be better
enabled to help those in actual want One
years shortage is not likely to affect US
materially, but it may teach a lesson worth
learning. The earth is the Lords, and the
fullness thereof" 1t is we'll to remember
this fact. How can family with fair in
come econoInize so as to meet existing cir
cumstauces? There are so many little ex-
travagances that can be curtailed without
serious injury that it is difficult to select
those which can be best dispensed with.
Where to Cut Down.
Suppose we begin with the church. Your
pastor gets s, 900 year. OF course he is
worthy Of his hire, but as his example in
economizing would be benefit to others,
and as he is used to self-denial, might he
not worry along with say, $500? OF course
he might argue that he only just exists as it
is, and that to live in such times on 5000
less would be an impossibility. Remind
him of the fact that the early preachers
never bothered about their food and raiment.
Tell him that certain good man was fed by
the ravens, and that he must have faith to
believe that his bread will be certain
and his water sure, especially the
latter. You can emphasize that point.
If he argues that his "day and genera
ton" may be shortened by lack of physical
sustenance, inform him of the fact that he
will become more useful by praeticing self
denial for few years, than if he spends a
long life of inertia. A short life and use
full one is better than long one devoid of
usefulness. Follow this plan and you will
save 20 per cent of your contributions to the
church. If you can do this and sing
Hove Thy kingdom. Lord.
The house of Thine abode.
The church our blest Redeemer bought,
With his own precious blood,
while you may not be enabled to prevent
some people from questioning your SINGER
ity. as to the love, ETC., so long as you have
a clear conscience (and it doesn't take much
to clear some peoples conscienee) you will
have achieved one succeSs in the lina Of
economy.
81
Doctors and DomesIics.
Then there is the doctor. Now, doctors
do not usually sue for their fees. It is not
considered to be in accord with, with, what
is that? Etiquette? No, that's not it.
Usage? No. Well. it is not good form.
Here is another opportunity to practice
economy. You can keep a doctor waiting
any length of time for his lees. In a few
years good season may come, and if he
should die in the meantime, it will be
good thing for his heirs when you do pay.
n bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,
and you might as we'll have the bird as the
doctor.
Another good way for men of moderate
means to economize would be to dispense
with the domestic. The wife can bear a lit
tie more of the burden. She promised to be
faithful IN times of prosperity and adversely.
Not only is there a golden opportunity TO
test her faith, but the saving would be con-
siderable. Taking into account wages, wear
and tear. and the provisions she necessarily
consumed, the aggregate would be consider
able. OF course the wife would feel it to be
deprived of her help, but it would ineulcate
the grand principle OF economy. & penny
saved is a penny earned, and if the poor
woman should stagger and fall beneath the
burden, tombstones are quite reasonable IN
price, Ii the design be not too elaborate.
Another point is apt to be overlooked IN
times of stringency. The clothing of the
wife and children need not be so expensive.
OF course, it will be necessary Tor the head
of the family to appear suitably clad Some
one must uphold the dignity of the house,
even if the times are tottering. Who so ap-
propriate as be who makes the living by the
sweat OF his brow or the whirl of his massive
brain? A good standing in the world is es-
sential The wife can plead i'll health as an
EXCUSE for appearing seldom in society.
Possibly she may have no occasion to play
the hypocrite 10 this matter, especially if
the domestic be dispensed with, but ii she
does practice will make perfect, so perfect,
indeed, that she may be enabled to play the
role permanently. See how beautifully the
" hole scheme works?
@*x
Trent the Grocer Gently.
think it will pay to keep on good terms
With the grocer. These men have formed .
society for mutual protection, and under
stand theY place men of questionable fnan-
,ial standing on the black list. This you
cannot afford. Keep as square as possible
with the grocer. A clustering and authori-
live way will gain you little longer credit,
perhaps, but be sure to study the leading
of the man you are dealing
with.
Now, in conclusion, as we preachers say
lin the middle of the sermon), suppSsiug
the worst comes to the worst, and it is abso-
Iutely necessary, the head of the family
might substitute for his Henry Claws and
fora del fumas a cigar of somewhat
cheaper grade. He might possibly dis
pense with his Bordeaux and Burgundy
and substitute the native product OF the
' ne. At least he could supply his riends
with these things. Instead OF going to the
,heater three nights in the week try to get
along with two. The odd night might be
spent in accompanying the vile to PRAYER
meeting. know some Of nv readers es-
oecially nv clerical brethren, will marvel
1t my familiarity will all these worldly
things, but in early lie 1t was my mis- or
une to be connected with the editorial pro-
ession. OF course the reformation is COM
olete, but these old, familiar scenes will
present themselves occasionally to the retro
pective mind.
-.
Behind tue Cur tain.
A hi uhat thino "a