The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1905-06-08
CRITICISM OF THE AMERICAN
LACK OF THRIFT.
Frugality Il Incorporating - Fa-
ther Who Could Not Refuse Ex-
travagant Daughter-Shabby Fur
niture More Endurable Than
Wakeful Nights and Visits Of
Creditors-Do Not Economic on
Children's Education.
BY MARGARET E. sANGsTER.

is incumbent on every householder. II
there is an income that can be depended
upon, no matter how small, some part
of it should be regularly laid aside. and
some thought should be taken for the
future when there may be need and
feebleness and inability for effort.
! This is so obvious truth that no ar
! gument is called for to sustain It, III
theory we all accept it. and reflect with
more or less severity on the needless
people who go dancing through the days
taking no steps to secure the coming
nights from disaster and sorrow. The
parable of the foolish virgins who took
no oil in their vessels for their lamps
has more than one modern application.
In practice, vast number OF busy
Americans throw prudence to the winds
and scorn the homely and commonplace
virtue of mere thrift. They habitually
live up to their income. perhaps never
going beyond its limit but saving moth
ing. BY and-by they mean to save, but
saving implies self-denial, makes nee
essary a good deal Of sacrifice, and alto
gether is a thing that is rather out OF
fashion and not in the least agreeable.
Frugality wears stern face. 1t
speaks in an uncompromising voice. 1t
frowns on indulgence to the flesh. and
on the pomps and vanities. We will save
tomorrow, cry the easy-going, light
hearted crowd who always see to-mor-
row through roseate mists, and to-day
we will have good time and enjoy our
selves. "a
A man died the other day, as some
times men do, without an instant's pre-
monition. He had been carrying large
interests; he had made from years end
to years end very generous sum.
which had slipped like water through
the sieve of an extravagant family to
whom nothing that he could give had
ever been denied. An immediate and
sweeping reduction of expenses followed
his death. Possibly the same wise re-
trenchment a twelve month sooner
would have saved his life.
The whole aspect of the home outlooll
was changed literally in the twinkling
of an eye for wide circle of kin folk
who looked to the head of the clan for
help that was forthcoming at hint or q
suggestion of need. while for some young
children the future assumed different
phase. Life is uncertain for everyone.
Nobody knows definitely the appointed
time he shall stay on the earth. For
the sake of ones dear ones, there should
be looking beyond the moment and
looking onward to the possibilities Of
ten, twenty or more years yet to be.
Where shall economy begin?
Granting that the man of the house
ices with clear eyes what he ought to do
in the case: should he not have the CO.
operation. the hearty assistance, and
the discreet counsel of his wife and
daughters? Cut down superfluities first.
Decide what the superfluities are. Com
forts are essential, but luxuries may
often be foregOne, to the benefit of
health and self-respect. Plain living
a great republic.
A common temptation with us is to
emulate in our ordinary expenditure
the style of some one who is better off
than ourselves. Men come to grief be-
cause they have not the firmness to say
no. to those they love.
In little rural township man was
financially in desperate straits, but as his
name was synonym for integrity, and
his honor was unquestioned, acquaint-
anees who had means were prepared to
accommodate him with timely loans.
His beautiful young daughter Jessie
was the pride of his heart, and she, as
it happened. had set her heart on new
furnishings for her room. and a costly
summer outfit, at the very instant of his
greatest stringency. Unfortunately. in
common with too many men, this father
e;d not tell his family the exact state of
s:Ae situation. Every family ought to
now when disaster menaces it. or when
there is anxiety to meet pressing OBJ
legations. and to do women justice,
they would seldom plead for personal
Indulgence if they realized the cost.
Jessie supposed her father able to
give her whatever she wanted, and
merely thought it was papa's way to be
= wet blanket when she had something
surprising to propose When he refused
her requests she still pleaded. and he
could not resist her tears. He told her
to go on, do what she liked. and send the
bills to him, trusting to good luck to pay
them later on.
"Jessie - can get anything in the
world She wants." said Jessie's dearest
chum, day or two after this incident.
"Her father thinks nothing of letting
her have $50 or 500 whenever she asks
for it. My room is horrid. Jessie is
having hers done over beautifully. It
viii be a perfect dream"
As fate would have it, this girls father
was president Of bank, and had been
about to extend a helping hand to the
struggling man. He decided, influenced
by his daughters chatter, to withhold
the aid he had meant to give, and Jessie's
father went under. After middle age it
is hard to retrieve lost position, and
bitter poverty was the final portion of
that household.
Never to expend on externals that
which cannot be afforded without .
strain, is a rule that should have no
exceptions. Threadbare carpets and
shabby chairs and tables may better be
endured than wakeful nights and the
visits Of creditors who need their just