The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-06-09
TIE IDEAL INCOME.

from hdrpers weekly
Independence, from an entirely
American standpoint, is always moro
or less hard to gain, though not ex-
ceeding hard, not almost impossible.
as 1T is across the sea. 1t requires con-
tinuous resolution, unfipching 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 solieitude and striv-
ing, and not, as must be granted,
reached generally even with these.
After good repute 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 atenes,
in the end, for whatever may have been
endured for the precious cause.
What constitutes an independence
Does 1T not vary with the place and
the individual? Is not the indepeu-
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 subject
are not SO different as 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 a very
simple way-in a way bearable and
decent, if not quite pleasant or desira-
bic.
1t seems to be generally agreed that
in New York native citizen. a man of
small family-a wife and two chill.
dren, for example-can not get on re.
specially with less than about IS, 900
year. If bachelor, $1,000 to 1880
will answer. In other cities So. 600 to
81, 900 may sustain him domestically;
in the village or the country, material.
~ less. If he must descend to marked
plainness, rigid economy. prosaic facts,
he can find places where, without 9TH
er income, 81, 600 to 81, 500 will keep him
and his household together. not with
out material comfort That amount,
may be taken as an approxi-
nation to an Independence, as enough
certainly to keep the wolf aud the cred.
itor from the door Confession may DO
frankly made. however. that no such +.
sum is regarded By the city folk as
for the purpose They Nigh.
put it at fully $4,000. and speak Of
minor figures as penurv. or prolonged
Strict independence may,
Notwithstanding, De computed in gen.
eral at &. 900 to -. 5se; and he who has
secured il individually has no cause 10
fear compassion, or to seek for SYM
pathy. He may esteem it . genuine
TO be so reduced. especially
after having had Eve or ten times "a
much. Still, It is independence-nos
handsome, welcome. or in any manner
and IL is within reach of
nearly anyone who diligently aad
earnestly works for st.