Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-03-31
LIVING ON SIX DOLLARS A WEEK.
Economical Methods That Enable Bos-
tn. CInrIr ts, MInIrn EI,ds Mant-

Economical Methods That Enable Bos-
ton Clerk to Make Ends Meet.
IT understand what you have come for,
and shall be glad to give you the infor-
nation you seek. You see for yourself the
room have. 1t is side room, about big
enough for a small pantry. What heat it re-
ceives comes from the general heat Of the
house"
"You must be cold, then, sometimes"
"No. There's good furnace in this
house, and by leaving my door open good
deal of heat gets into the room; besides,
IAm from Canada, and something of an
athlete and perhaps do not feel the cold as
less rugged man would"
"Your room is certainly small"
eyes. That short mantel bed, the little
bureau, and my small trunk are tight fit
for it, as you see. There's no closet, SO
use that row of pegs on the wall. But this
room is quite ample, compared with the
one got into when first came to Boston.
"That was an attic room, with just
enough space lengthwise, for small bed
and miniature dressing case. One little
chair was edged into it somehow. couldn't
find space for my trunk except by keeping
it on end. To open it used to run it into
the hall or get it upon the bed.
"It's fact, there really was hardly
space enough in the room for the necessary
motions in putting on and taking off ones
clothes. l wanted to sleep in something
bigger than packing box, so got out Of
that and came here"
The young man continues: IT am Get
ting six dollars a week in Wholesale
store I'm not disappointed as TO the
amount of my pay. knew the big stories
I'd heard before coming from home of
great wages in the States were all nom
sense, but for all that" he said, laughing,
II find it hard to keep alive. Neverthe-
less I've lately been cutting down ex-
penses so as to save up"
ITO save up on six dollars week. How
can you do thatP"
"Well, in the first place have to spend
two dollars every week for this cupboard
my room, you know. Then by strict econ
omy-and it has to be mighty strict. as
sure you, though my work don't oblige
me to wear cuffs-I manage not to average
over twenty cents week for my laundry"
"Well, your meals must cost you from
$3.50 to "a per week, and then your clothes
and extras''-
await a moment. don't pretend to fur.
nish my clothes yet, so they don't count.
When it comes to extras let them pretty
much alone. My food is now costing me
rather less than $3.50 a week. Breakfast
and supper average together about seventy
seven cents week, and dinner''-
"Wait. Tell me how you breakfast and
supper for 51l cents each"
"By living ON loaf of bread and quart
now and then three pints-of milk day.
besides my dinner Eve been doing that
for fortnight, and find l get on very
well, though the milk don't seem to be so
well acquainted with honest COWS as our
milk down home seemed to be-"
"And your dinnerP"
"Well, for dinner have a good square
meal"
what does that costm
Twenty-Five cents. At some dining
rooms you can get soup and fish and meat.
vegetables and two kinds of dessert, be-
sides tea or coffee, for that sum. Some
times, to average up the cost, go to a
restaurant where my sister gets her meals.
There twenty-one meals are given for three
dollays. take punch out Of her ticket
and pay her the price, fifteen cents.
'You're lonely at times, suppose~
"Well, yes, sometimes. Ego to church,
you see, and sing in the church choir and
have made few friends in that way.
Then there are the libraries, and in the
summer l take long evening walks or play
baseball on the common.
Sometimes, though, of Sunday after
noon l feel lonely, but generally work
the feeling off by writing a long letter
home. That seems like talking to this