Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1894-06-08
THE IDEAL INCOME.
some Varying Opinions as to What Con-
stitutes an IndependenCe,

some Varying Opinions as to What Con-
stitutes an Independence.
Independence, from an entirely
American standpoint, is always more
or less hard to gain, though not ex-
,eeding hard, not almost impossible,
rs it is across the sea. 1t requires con-
tinuous resolution, untlinching perse-
Verance, steady establishments, clear
Judgment, with dash of what is
reclSoned as luck, especially in youth,
when such qualities are least devel-
oped. Above all, it requires resolution
and perseverance. An earnest attempt
at independence can never really be
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
none. For it is very rarely reached
without ceaseless solicitude and striv-
ing, and not, as must be granted,
reached generally even with these.
After good rcpute and good health, it
is the most valuable of possessions. 1t
is apprehensible salvation. Neverthe.
less, the first stages are most arduous,
the. most discouraging. Beyond them
the road is smoother, and success
dawns in the distance. Cling to the
prospect while life lasts, though ex-
pectation swoon by the way, The rec
ompense is worth the stoutest labor,
the severest sacrifice; it richly atones,
in the end, for whatever may have been
endured for the precious cause
What constitutes an independence
Does it not vary with the place an
the individual? Is not the indepen
dence of one man totally inadequat
to that of another? Obviously yes
Your idea of an independence may he
so superior to mine as to seem like
wealth, which, in any reasonable
sense, may not be hoped for, and il
not, in truth, by any number of men
though to the manner born. Still
sensible, sober opinions on the subjec
are not so different as may appear a
first. Each man should determine FOL
himself, according to his surrounding
and relations, what amount he and his
if all sources fail, can live on in very
simple way-in way bearable anC
decent, if not quite pleasant or desira
BILE.
1t seems TO be generally agreed tina
in New York native citizen, a man o
small family-a wife and two chill
dren, for eXample-can not get on re
specially with less than about s., 900
year. If bachelor, 81 200 to 80
will answer. In other cities $4,000 t.
$4,000 may sustain him domestically
in the village or the country, material
ly less. If he must descend to marke,
plainness, rigid economy, prosaic facts
he can find places where, without 9th
er income, 81, 900 to 81 800 will keep hin
and his household together not with
out material comfort. That amount
therefore, may be taken as an approx
nation to an independence, as enougl
certainly to keep the wolf and the cred
itOr from the door. Confession may b
frankly made, however, that no sucl
sum is regarded by the city folk a
sufficient for the purpose. They nigh
put it at fully $4,000, and speak q
minor figures as penury, or prolonge
starvation. Strict independence may
Notwithstanding, be computed in ger
eral at So, 900 to 900; and he who ha
secured it individually has no cause t
fear compassion, or to seek for syn
pathy He may esteem it genuin
misfortune to be so reduced, especial
after having had five or ten times a
much. Still, it is independence-no
handsome, welcome, or in any name
satisfactory; and it is within reach {
nearly anyone who diligently an
earnestly works for it.-Junius Hem
Browne, in Harper's Magazine.