The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1897-02-26
MR.. WILLIAMS ECONOMY.

Did it ever occur to you that little
Victor is getting to be nearly thre"
years old?' inquired Mr.. W lliamS.
looking up from the newspap which
he had not been reading for five min
utes.
Well" said Mrs. Williams. las we
have been celebrating his birthday
every month since he was six months
old. and as we observed it weekly ur
to that time, I suppose il would he
rather difficult for NE not to remember
the boys age. Why" with some con
Germ. She had half an idea that he was
thinking of some wonderfully advan-
tageous scheme for the little ones ben
eft.
Well" said Mr.. Williams, lit seems
TO me that we ought to be calculating
upon his cducation.'
'Oh. N.Y. his wife cried. laughing.
.Why. he isn't old enough by three
years even to go to the kindergarten"
Il didn't mean to send him at once.
said Mr.. Williams, looking proudly at
his offspring. now engaged in the high
" educational pursuit of building a
miraculous sort of tower out of his
blocks. and knocking the cdifice down
and then laughing gIcefully. "Of course
hes too young for that. but il seems to
me that we ought to begin providing
for the future. We ought to start in to
,ay by fund for his education wan,
him to attend college and ali that. and
of course that costs money. and pcSsi-
bly, misfortune might come Just at the
time when we wanted to give him edU-
cational advantages, and if we didn't
have Il special fund to draw upon the
child would have to go through life IL
litcrate."
Il don't think there is any danger"
Mrs. Williams started to say. but vii
liams interrupted her.
Sometimes, he declared, Il am
ashamed of myself for my spendthrift
habits. Every little once in awhile
am confronted by the idea that | am
paving the way for starvation for my
family 10y paIdering tn the needless lit
iie vices which have grown up around
me. I never deny myself anything. and
some time
"Oh. you're dear old goose, and you
haven't any vices at all. and we shall
get along nicely. Don't get blue about
nothing"
I'm rot blue: but look here" He
drew Il paper from his pocketbook-n
paper covered with figures. Present
ing it to his wife. who was always ap-
Talled at the sight of mathematical dis
plays. and never could get at the bottom
OF them, ne said: Look at that
What is it? she queried. heIplessly.
The compound interest on the ah-
stract to the trust deed of our house -
1t is shaving" glOomily. Il would
not have believed II myself. But | fig
ured il up on the train to-day. and =
shows an appalling condition. I have
squandcred in the last Is years S766.5O
m shaving Just plain shaving. com
mon 15-rent shaving. No frills TO il. No
| mustache curling or anything of that
| sort. Isn't that scandalous. and all the
! time that boy not knowing where the
money was going to come from for his
education."
! But" said Mrs. Williams. "he wasn't
| born until three years ago"
The theory is just the same" her
| husband insisted. 1t is a vicious waste
Of money and | am going to correct IL
as far ] can"
What are you going to do?"
Il am going to shave myself and
apply the money to a fund for little Vie
tors forthcoming education. l can dc
| it,
The next dav Mr. Williams came
home in high cIation. He had several
bunchv-loolling little bundles in his
uvcrcoat pocket. and. unloading them
on the dining-room table. little Victor
rs is the custom of speculative children
of his age. gladly seized upon them, cry
ing:
Papa bling me this"
Mr. Williams. who had been hanging
| up his overcoat at the moment of the
seizure. came rushing in from the hal
like n full-back rushing TO get a punted
ball.
Heavens and earth! He'll cut his
hand Oft with that razor. Grab him,
he called. The baby had been bowling
" rescued from impending calamity
Mr. Williams then explained the nature
of his purchases.
This he said sis n mug. II cost Z
Collar. but seven shares Will save II
hack 10 me This brush cost another
dollar-same reckoning. The stro
cost me $3.50 and the sponge 75 cents
The shaving soap"
''Oh, now, Harry!" Mrs. Williams in
terrupted in triumph. Now L can tei
you where YOU wasted money for nj
your good intentions. l bought a Who'll
case of soap at the department stor
the other day, and Ida says it's jus
magnificent. You can scour with il
too