Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-04-17
Economy and stinsiness.

II declare to goodness. said the
farmer, as he leaned on his hoe and
watched the lawyer walk by. "that
mans stingy as all creation Got
boss in the stable, an walks to and
from the station to save wear and tear
on his old buggy" 1t never occurred
to the farmer that the lawyer, who was
cooped up in his city Office all day, was
walking for his health. In the same
way he misjudged the young doctor,
who took care OF his own horse to save
the expense Of hostler that he might
have money to buy books and instru
ments.
Economy is doing without what you
don't need: stinginess is doing without
what you ought to have. The man
of ordinary means who will not buy
strawberries in midwinter is econom-
ical; the rich miser who will not buy a
nutritious steak OF chop, when he is
weak and needs it, is stingy.
Mother" said Harry Harmon, after
his first days work, "I'm working for
the stingiest man in town. Instead of
sweeping the floor right into the street,
he makes me pick out every bit OF paper
and string, which he intends to sell. y
"Did you eyer!" exclaimed Mrs
| Harmon.
sHarry," said Mr.. Harmon, looking
up from his paper, "is the United
S5ates Governments stingy"
81 ,should say not!"
yet government employees are ex'
pected to account for every penny
stamp, ounce of old iron, scrap o.
leather-indeed, every bit of waste
paper and piece Of string. That is not
stinginess; it is economy"
There is such thing as mistaken
economy. Some things we can hire
done more cheaply than we can do them
ourselves. It would not be economical
for our young doctor to saw his own
wood and take care Of his horse if these
interfered with his duty to his patients,
any more than it would be for the wood
sawyer to prescribe his own medicines
to save the doctors fee.
"Do YOU know" said a prosperous
lawyer to his fellow traveller on the
suburban train, Il believe I'll re-
shingle my barn during the court va,
cation. I might just as we'll as not
save the money"
"H'm!" said his friend, obviously.
II hope you will save money, but
doubt if that is an economical way tc
do it,"
| The lawyer did not see the force OF
this remark until he slid off the root
and broke his arm. Then he counted
up his pain, the doctors bill and the
expense of shingling, which had to be
done anyhow, and sent word to his
friend that if he Saved much more
money that way, he would be ruined.
This reminds one of the literary gen
tleman who undertook to paint the in
terror of his house.
"My DEAR" he said to his wife, "the
painter is extortionate enough to ask
thirty-two dollars for the job. Now
can buy the paint, oil, turpentine and
and brushes for fourteen dollars, ano
save eighteen dollars. You know what
franklin said about penny earned?'
His wife knew. but being wise
little woman, said nothing for week
and then she laid this account before
his eyes:
Paint brushes, etc. .....................Sl 4.OO
| / pair trousers ruined. ................. S.OO
moquette carpet, daubed with paint
and virtually ruined ................ 3O.oO
! mirror broken ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 5.UO
Total $500
"Did Franklin say anything abou
the cobbler sticking to his last ?"-
| Youths COmp07liO7a.