The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1894-07-21
THE IDEAL INCOME.



stitutes an Independence.
independence, from an entirely
american standpoint. is always more
or less hard to gain, though not ex-
ceeding hard. not almost impossible,
as it is across the sea. 1t requires con-
tinuous resolution, unflinching perse-
verance. steady self-abstinence, clear
Judgment. with dash of what is
reckoned 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 ceaseles solicitude and striv-
ing. and not, as must be granted,
reached generally even with these.
After good rcpute and good health, il
is the most valuable of possessions. II
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 and
the individual? Is not the indepen-
dence of one man totally inadequate
to that of another? Obviously yes.
Your idea of an independence may be
so superior to mine as to seem like
wealth, which, in any reasonable
sense, may not be hoped for, and is
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 al
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 a way bearable and
decent, if not quite pleasant or desira
BILE.
1t seems to be. generally agreed that
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 81, 900 q
year. If bachelor, 81, 200 to s., 50l
will answer. In other cities 5000 Il
$4,000 may sustain him domestically
in the village or the country, material
ly less. If he must descend to marked
plainness, rigid economy. prosaic facts
he can find places where, without 9th
er income, 8, goo to 81, 500 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 enough
certainly to keep the wolf and the cred
itor from the door. Confession may b,
frankly made, however, that no such
sum il regarded by the city folk a!
sufficient for the purpose. They nigh
put it at fully $4,000, and speak O.
minor figures as penury, or prolonged
starvation. Strict independence may
| Notwithstanding be computed in gen
eral at So, 900 to 81, 500; and he who ha.
secured it Individually has no cause t.
! 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 al
| much. Still, it is independence-no
handsome, welcome, or in any mannel
satisfactory; and it is within reach o
nearly anyone who diligently AND
earnestly works for it.--Junius Henri
Browne. in Harper's Magazine.