The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-12

One Of the worst results OF what we call
hard times is the discomfort that is thus
engendered among the people. When We
say that the times are "out of JOINT" we
should rather say that the people are "out
OF joint" When a man says that the
times are all wrong he should stop ana
enquire If he would not be nearer the truth
should he say that he himself is an
wrong. Man does not live by bread
alone. and happiness by no means should
be measured by the abundance OF one
possessions. Happiness is not from with
out. but from within. and when "a man Is
right within himself his surroundings
neither make nor mar his happiness. Inc
truly happy man is happy independently
Of his surroundings ana circumstances.
There are few men who love money Tor
itself. but rather for the happiness when
they think it viii bring. But If a man
may be happy without money then II
makes very little difference to MIN
whether the times DO hard or not.
There is little difference after all be-
tween hard times and prosperous times.
With the great body of the people it is
matter of few hundred dollars a year.
With those Of moderate means It IS a
difference between keeping a carriage ana
two servants and keeping bicycle ana
one servant With the wealthy II IS simp-
ly matter OF piiing up riches The ricn
man has his luxuries whether the times
are prosperous or not. The man IN
moderate circumstances usually lives up
to his income. and when his salary IS
5000 he finds II about as hard 10 make
buckle and tongue meet" as when his
salary was $500. The more he has the
more he spends; the less he has the less
he spends. Is happiness 70 be found IN
The difference between a salary OF 81. 900
and salary of s.. 00o? We think not.
With the poor man who works for his
living hard times mean distress. when
he and his family are plnched Tor the
necessaries Of life But these are the ex-
ceptions. As a rule the difference be-
tween hard times ana prosperous times Is
a difference. as We have said OF a lew
hundred dollars only. Surely that is not
enough 10 make q man miserable.
We believe that II the people would fol
low this line OF thought ana take a pnio-
sophical view Of it. much OF the dlscon-
tent and umhappiness that exist al THIS
day by reason OF what we call nara
self che simple question: Were you nap
pier in prosperous times than you are now,
ana. II 50. why? Was it the difference IN
your income that made you happier
then than now? What Is that amer
ence? How much in dollars and centsy
Figure IL out for yourself. ana then ask
yourself. as sensible man. II you VIII.
permit yourself TO be deprived OF your
happiness for the sake Of few hundred
dollars? II so, then you love money bet
ter than all else in this world.
Let Us remember that the sun shines
Just as brightly IN hard times as IN good
times that the flowers are just as ira
grant that the music Of nature Is just as
harmonious. that love ana friendship are
just as sweet. that home and family are
Just as precious. and that Coos promises
and Gods bountles are just Is sure IN
hard times as in prosperous times. n
happiness is dependent on the amount OF
money that man may earn, or the
amount OF property that he may accumu-
late. then there Is reason why nara
times should make that man miserable.
But II he esteems love ana home ana
frlenship and family and Gods gifts ana
promises as greater things than money,