The morning call., 1894-04-17
The Millionaire Who Always
Spent Less than He Earned.
MADE HIS SONS DO THE SAME.
How to Buy $4,000 House and
Support Wife Upon SIS Per
Month Salary.


Railroad-in time. TIE only thing he may
lack Is the time.
In this principle Mr.. Huntington is a
disciple of Mr.. Micawber, but in the put
ting of it into practice he surpasses that
well-meaning but erring philosopher.
Mlcaw ber used to say that given an an
nual income of e100. expenditure 999
19s 6d-result, happiness. On the other
hand. given an income OF 9100. expendi-
ture G100 0s 6d-result, misery. Showing
that there was but a shilling a year of
difference between happiness and misery.
But 1t is 10 the execution If this golden
rule of thrift that the multi mi li0naire
attributes his present condition. With his
vast palaces and other gorgeous parapher-
MALTA OF wealth, the railroad magnate
signs to think that less fortunate individ-
uas cannot be happy by living within
their modest salaries.
Il used 10 do it," be said the other day.
i've been in business for myself for now
fifty ight years. and [ know what 1t is
aud how to do it. That's the great thing
in New York l worked for very small
salary indeed. but l always had money.
I've never been without dollar since
started in. But then l wanted very litte
Il never touched beer. spirits or wine
until had turned fifty years Of age, and
I've never used tobacco in all my lie. My
recreation has been reading. | read
Herodotus before was Is years old. and
Pm reading history still. All my leisure
time ] devote to il, and all my life | have
liked nothing so we'll.
Now, see how did when I got fam
lily. l have two sons in my Office in New
York. They each own their own houses.
$500. This Is how i aid: | called one
son--he was getting $50 month then
and said 10 him: See, now, you ought to
have house OF your own. Go buy one.
You may give as high as $1,000 for it.
When you have selected the house you
want come and tell me. Then will SEND
MY property agent round, and If he and
a prove of the bargain FL pay for the
house, with taxes aud insurance. You
snail pay me back $40 month out OF your
salary, and you Will have the balance OF
$50 month 10 live on-quits enough for
any young man."
And aid he do it?"
Yes, sir; you bet he did it. He's paid
Tor the house long ago, besides which he's
getting more salary. / did The same with
the other Stn. I've no use fol fellows that
won't work, as have done, and live with
in their means however small they are.
Why, even now, when I've made money |
don't want any. All | want is what / eat
and drink and what 1 wear Apart from
these 500 year would satisfy me, or
course my family spend mnney-they do
as they lke-but don't"
Mr.. Huntington went On TO say that he
was constantly endeavorng TO Undue all
his employees with the same principles OF
economy. There was notable case of
that some years ago." he said. "a man
had known for some years-George Wes-
- NJ n n
was out of position and out of money.
what / said, you've no money? and
you've been working ON salary of $3.50 a
month for ten years. with only yourself
and your wife to keep! Have you had
any sicknessT
"'No, sir; we've been all very WE'LL
"'N0 sickness, a handsome salary and
me. George; l don't want your sort
George
'Well. sir, that man begged hard that
would take him. Finally / old him tha I
the only desk in the Office [ could give him
was one worth about S125 month. l
would put him in that position for old ac-
quaintance sake If he would agree to the
terms | would impose upon him. These
were that he should go at once and buy a
house. You may give $1,000 for it, |
said. Then. if all was satisfactory, |
would do with George as l had done with
my sons-pay for the house, taxes and in
surance. 1 will take that out at S75 a
month"; 1 said. That will leave $50 a
month for you and your wife to live
said: No, no: don't try-please dOn't.
don't want anybody who "tries."' Finally
he said he'd do it. and away be went.
sit was some time before George kicked.
But kick he did one day. He came to me
and said: Mr. Huntington, we find we
cannot possibly live on $50 month";
was seated at my desk at the time, with
said was. Very well. George and rang
the cashiers bell. When he came in
said, Mr.. Brown. just make out check
for what is due 10 Mr.. Weston and give it
to him. George said, Mr.. Huntington,
we dou't want to do that | said, You'll
have to do 1t, George. and If you were the
Sultan of Turkey you couldn't make me
change my mind Then George went
away and consulted his vile. the result
being that be returned and said that he
would like TO try aeain. l assented and
things went on as before.
Now, that is some years ago. George
has long since paid for his house, and he
gets $50 month instead of $125. And
only a short time ago he came 10 me- and
said, Mr.. Huntington, we're living better
now than we ever did,
That's my principle through life," said
Mr. Huntington, in conclusion. "Pm will
ing now to DO the same thing by every one
OF those who come into my employ. 1t
does them good and makes them indepen-
dent. But I've no use for anybody who
lives up to all he earns. One day he'll get
sick and then I'll either have to turn him
out CD he street or pay his bills. And
will not do either. I'm not going to turn
him out and pm not going TO pay his bills.
So prefer To deal with men who do not
put me iD that predicameDt. It's good
rule to follow"
The railroad magnate glanced around
bis brill antly lighted drawiDg-room as he
concluded, with the sound of merry laugh
ter and the click of the billiard balls pro-
ceed ng from the adjoining room. And as
he thought of the foolish ingratitude of
the human race and the amazing difficulty
experienced by so many men 10 saving
money out of $50 month salary. the
richest man in California spread his legs
out upon the rich hearth-rug, leaned back
L. -,.- bad