The weekly examiner., 1890-10-11
WHAT A MAN COSTS.

Diary of a Householder Who Spent @AO.- 1 900 in Twenty-Six Years. I What does it cost to bring up fam- l fly? A gentleman whose experience will be recognized as having points in common with other householders, has preserved an account of the expense to | which he has been in rearing family of four children To-day he entered the following statement in his diary. It might be valuable statistical fact for the census takers:
 To-day close my diary. Twenty six years ago to-day l undertook to keep an accurate statement of all my earnings and expenses, so that might know actually how much it costs to live in the married state. Then all was anticipation. 1 and my young wife counted our resources and our expecta :. tions. I received $15 a week, with a promise of more. I owncd a 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. Retrospectively I see that we have brought up four children in compara- lively easy circumstances. My health has been good and my earnings have been constantly received. now re- ceive $50 a week and we still own the homestead Without any great additions to it's wealth, except in an increased sfs E D little more money than had when first married. Perhaps, all told, have $3. 800 now of assets; then I had perhaps $2. 500. We have never wanted for bread. Some times we have felt in need of more money. Three of the children are now making their own way. Next week the fourth graduates at the high school, having received the same schooling that the others have had, and will begin to look out for himself.
 ssI shall not necessarily be at any more expense on account of my chi1- dren, and the diary properly ends now. Would be willing to go through the same experience again of rearing 8 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 compeled to say: Not for all that money could buy would go through again what has been necessary to rear 8 family
 Expressed in dollars. the totals are 
 from my wages and incidental moneys that came through my wife and the children, $40, 900-or say $40, OO0-be- sides the amount of increase in the per- manent assets. Given plant of about s. 900 and two employees, man and wife, it has taken therefore about $1O,- 900 to each man produced. This of course includes all employees expenses. . Tho va1o nf ic c1icpb t1 " o11 h In ua1ua but the employees have seen their best 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 cer~ tainty about this. The employees arc psoud of their work, but don't want an other job.
 ''Some of the items of expense have been these: Doctors bills (27 years), $2, 100 (and all paid, probably the only instance on record); groceries, average per week first five years. ST; next three, $9; remainder of the 20 years, SIS 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 thing l have ever known is the rapidity with which chill dren wear out shoes Only one thing ap- breaches 1.-the high price of chil- dren's shoes. never could understand how, with all the civilization of the age. and the demand for cheaper re- suits, children's shoes have not been reduced in price. The human shoe is 8 failure. No man not rich can afford ro buy shoes for family, and if l had it to do would go to Timbuctoo, where neither horses, mules, camels nor men are shod. d."-Indianapolis News.
 -''Do you know why that fellow at the opposite table keeps his paper ak the time so before his face?" "Why. of course. The man at this table is his tailor. "-Fliegende Blatter.
 -Dissaway-'Your d-dog won't bite me, will he?" Farmer Spinwheel- ''Goshi hope not. It spiles m fer woodchucks when they git dude blood in their veins."-Once Week.
 -Judge-"And so he called you liar?" Prisoner-''He did, sor." Judge --.'And did you attempt to defend your Belf?" Prisoner-"Did IF You ought to see Duffy. '-- Harvard Lampoon.