The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1895-08-06

OOuSuU d very pleaS6nG nome III Gu0
city, and was happy in the thought
that the smiles of fortune had fallen to
his lot in life. But, alas, how short
lived such fancies often prove. About
this time there came a cut in his wages.
The alleged cause was depression In
business, but Carl could sec that it was
caused more by a desire on the part OF
the proprietors to increase net earnings.
In the course of ten years several SINH
lar cuts were made. There was a
spirit of independence that had asserted
itself in Carl Smiths bosom, and he
did not see why he should not enjoy
more of the profits of his labor. The
manufacturer was growing richer
every day. There was still money in
the business, and Carl did not see why
his skill and the savings of fifteen
years, amounting to several thousand
dollars, should not enrich those de
pendent upon him as we'll as to go into
the till of others. A business of his
own seemed to be his legitimate right.
Plans were o matured, and an invest
ment made. It was a venture, but every
thing promised we'll. With abundance
of capital, there was nothing to fear,
but that was the trouble. Carl had
borrowed just enough, as he thought,
to get his business under way. He
worked on with determined pluck,
but could not more than keep things
moving. He oon saw that he must
have more money in order to succeed.
He mortgaged his enterprise and his
home to get the necessary cash to en-
able him to run easily" as he said.
But this proved the turning point to
wards disaster. Carl found his enter
prise in open competition with all the
larger and wealthier enterprises of the
whole country in buying and selling.
found that he could neither get nor
give advantages equal to those offered
by great corporations, 30 long as he
ran on borrowed capital. Business
and financial conditions too were
rapidly changing. Money was getting
scarce, Judging from his cash sales.
He tried to curtail expenses at every
point. His wife was heroically bears
ing her part of the burden by a policy
of self denial Old clothes were made
into children's suits, plain fare supplied
the family table, and longer hours
rel spent in trying to stop expendi-
lures. It was evident that such a
strain could not be borne long without
disastrous results. More cash was
depression in business. IJcould be OBJ
tanned on g 3cured mortgage at a high
rate only. Things began to grow from
bad to worse very fast. Sickness in
vaded the home. The mother had
given away under the burden that she
had tried so nobly to bear. For months
life seemed to flicker al a dying fame
and at last went out, leaving Carl and
a half dozen children in the darkness
of bereavement. The physicians charge
had to be met. Home duties divided
the already meager income, and drew
heavily upon Carl's time. The funds
were lacking to pay the expenses of
laborers, and they could not work
without pay, for many Of them had
dependent families to are for. Credi
tors too hogan to call for their money.
1t was no use to borrow more. Sooner
or later settlement must come. At
last after all hope of success had been
abandoned, Carl saw that the worst
must come, not because of idleness cr
extravaganza on his part, but because
of changed conditions in business, the
greed of great trusts, the boycott and
combine of capitalists. Carl's enter
prise and home were forced to be sold.
Both did not bring enough to satisfy
the claims against them. A laudable
ambition was thus blighted, a home
surrendered, and a family left to COM
bat the stern realities of want. Had
unjust discrimination not been allowed
in favor of capital, trusts and COM
bines, Carl Smith might have held his
own, and succeeded in preserving q
pleasant home, and educating his
children for the responsibilities of
Christian citizenship, such as would
be a blessing to society, the church and
the State.
WHAT THE AMERICAN FARMER