The enterprise-recorder. (Madison, Fla.) 1908-1933, 1910-03-24
Cash Versus Credit
By James Sheldon Miller


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as they walked toward home after
their days work.
81 thluI, not" replied Johnson. MIS-
Johnson wants me to neip her Jack
down a carpet this evening Besides
am saving my quarters just now 10
renew my subscription TO sclehtlAc
paper 1t expires in a short time
q should like to take a paper salu
Brown. dolefully, but there are so
many bills to pay since ] commenced
Housekeeping that can't seem to
save enough
johnson turned and looked at MS
companion intcntly
SAN, l think you are making ms
take" he said suddenly
"A mistake? How? What do you
mean" asked the other with touch
Of resentment,
Peter and Sam had been friends
since their schoo'boy days, ana the
former had, during years of associa-
ton with the latter grown to under-
stand what his tone ment. So he pur-
sued the subject no further but soon
babe Brown goodnight
At the age Of eighteen, the two had
entered an apprenticeship TO extend
through four years, at the END OF
which time both were well trained
mechanics. and able to earn salary OF
twelve dollars a week. Not long az
terward, both married and became
noighbors. Peters wife was thrifty
little body, and TO her he entrusted
tho management of the household eX-
pcnses. Rent was low, fuel and edi-
blcs We're cheap in the small conuy
town. and with strict economy could
be paid for from an allowance of sew
en- dollars o week; whatever Mrs.
johnson saved out Of this sum she
was to have for pin money. Two dal-
lars were to be laid aside for cloth
ing and other incidental expenses,
while the remaining three dollars were
to be placed IN the bank, Another
law Of the household which was to be
to the young couple like unto that of
the Modes and Persians, was to pay
cash for everything bought by them.
Browns wife as an entirely differ
ent type of woman from Minnie John
son. she was a large girl who moved
slowly, and did not seem to possess
the talent either for planning or car
rying out a plan. She often strolled
over TO her little neighbors house dur
ing the morning, and stood chatting In
the doorway.
Il declare" she would exclaim, "you
do fly around at a great rate, You're
always doing something But don,
you get lonesome here by yourself?
do, when Sans away--so much thai
sometimes | sit down and cry
1--WE no time to be lonesome re
piled Minnie, punching a fork into
the loaves Of dough, preparatory t.
their last rising"
Sam was very fond Of his big, dark
eyed wife, and would not trouble hel
with questions Of economy. When thu
weeks pay was brought into the house
the two bought whatever they mos
needed. The twelve dollars dwindlet
as a dream, and before the following
Saturday night there was no none.
in hand.
The grocer gradually induced then
TO buy their goods on trust" and be
fore very long they made the sam
arrangement with the butcher. Tn
latter invariably managed, in cuttin
the meat to increase by one third
days order. The grocer, by adroitl
naming various dainties among hi
supplies, contrived to secure goo
order whenever he called.
Not many weeks had passed befor
the Browns found that they had no
sufficient funds to meet their bills. Blu
then the butcher and grocer were yer
accommodating-it would be all RICH
next week.
One day a sewing machine was LEI
by an agent at the home of Mr.
Brown. that she might try It," A FEY
days later he came to her, offering t
sell 1t for five dollars down, and
dollar a week thereafter, until the ell
tire sum of thirty dollars should
collected. With a slight reduction {
the amounts paid each week to th
butcher and grocer, Mrs. Brown mai
aged to purchase the machine.
He called at my house" said Mr.
johnson, admiring her friends ne
poss esston.
And did you get machins9' aske
Clara Brown.