The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1894-06-21
PIG IDEAL. INCOME.
So1rae Varying Cpsntnna IN SO what Uos'
[ afttutes an Independence

Eo1rc Varying Opinions IN 60 What Cou-
stitutes an Independence
independence. from an entirely
American standpoint, ia always more
or less hard to gain, though not ex-
ceeding hard, not almost impossible,
as it is across the sea. Il requires cor.
tinuous resolution, unfinching perse-
iyerance. steady self-ab stinence, rlear;
Judgment, with dash OF what IS
reckoned as luck, especially in youth,
when such qualities are least ,ievei-
oped. Above I'LL. It requires res 'lutsons
and perseverance. An earnesSa tempt
at independence can never really De
made too late. desirable as it is TO
make the attempt early. Independ-
ence should be aimed at, kept
firmly in mind, whether one be
twenty-five or sixty, whether
one have many responsibilities or
pene. For 1t is very rarely reached
without ceaseiess solicitudc and striv.
ING, and not. as must be granted,
reached generally even with these
After good rcpute and good health, u
is the most valua bic of possessions. ~
Is apprehensible salvation. Ncvertlie-
less. the first stages are most arduous.
the most d,sconraging. Beyond them
the road is siaaother, and success
dnwns in the distance, Cling TO the
prospect while life lasts, thoags' sSs
pectatiou swoon by the way. The rec
ompense is worth the stoutest labor
the seyerest sacrifice; it richly atoncs,
in the end, for whateyeT Aay have been
endured for the precious cause.
What constitutes an independence
Does It not vary with the place and
the Individual? Is not the aHdapen-
dence of one man totally inadequate
70 that of another? Obviously yes,
Your idea OF an independence may be
SO superior to spipe as to seem like
wealth, which. In arg reasonable
sense, may not be hoped for. End rs
not. in truth, by any number OF men.
though to the manner born. STU
sensible, sober opinions on the subject
are not SO different rs may appear at
first. Each man should determine for
himself, according to his surroundings
and relations, what amount he and his,
if all sources fail. can live on in very
simple way--in way bearable and
decent, if not quite pieasaat or desira-
BILE.
It seems to be generally agreed that
In New York native citizen, q man OF
small famiiy-~a wife and two chill
drcn, for example-eAa not get on re-
specially with less than aboat $1,000 2
year. If bachelor, $1,000 to sl,5e8
will answer. In other cities $4,000 to
$4,000 may sustain him donestically;
in the village or the country, material
ly less If he must descend to marked
plainness, rigid economy. prosaie facts,
he can find places where, without 9th
er income, SO, 900 to $500 will keep him
and his household together, not with
out material comfort. That amount,
therefore, may be taken as an approx
nation to an independence, as enough Ii
certainly to keep the wolf and the cred
itor from the door. Confession may be
frankly made, however. that no such
sum is regarded by the city folk as
sufficient for the purpose. They might
put it at fully 10000, and speak OF
minor figures as penury. or prolonged
starvation. Strict independence aney.
Notwithstanding, be computed in gem
eral ut 81, 900 to $500; and he who has
secured it Individually has no cause to
fear compassion, or to seek for SYM
pathy. He may esteem it genuine
misfortune to be so reduced, especially
after having had five or ten times as
much. Still, it is independence-not
handsome, welcome, or in any manner
satisfactory; and it is within reach OF
nearly anyone who diligently and
earnestly works for it.-Junius Henri
Browne, i'll Harper's Magazine.