The Forrest City times., 1894-05-25
THE IDEAL INCOME.
Some Varying Opinions as to What Con
 stltutes an 1ndepep dence.


 stitutes an Independence.
 Independence. from an entirely American standpoint, is always mora or less hard to gain, though not ex,. ceeding hard, not almost impossible. as it is across the sea. It requires con. tinuous resolution, unfiinching perse- verance. steady self-abstinence, clear judgment, with a 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 repute and good health, it is the most valuable of possessions. It 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 yea 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 very simple way-in a way bearable and decent, if not quite pleasant or desira- ble.
 It seems to be generally agreed that in New York native citizen, a man of small family-a wife and two chil- dren, for example-can not get on re- specially with less than about $5, 900 year. If bachelor, 200 to $1,5OO will answer. In other cities e3, GOO to S4, 1000 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 oth- CT income, $a, ,0O0 to s2, zoo will keep him out material comfort. That amount, therefore, may be taken as an approxi- nation to an independence, as enough 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 $i0.000, and speak of minor figures as penury, or prolonged starvation. Strict independence may, notwithstan nding, be computed in gem crdi do e~,VVo co e~,oVo, "uu HC WHo HoS secured it indubitably 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, in Harper's Magazine.