Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1911-05-19

a large sum little items will grow If
every clerk would also scrutnize his eX-
penditures as carefully for the year that
is past, he would be dull indeed If he
did not gain some new light, and rise
from the task with stronger resolutions
for the future.
knew one clerk who, at the age of 20
(having been at work eight years., was
receiving a salary of 5000 and saving
nothing out of it. He had an honest
horror of debt, and intended that his
account in the ledger should always show
small balance in his favor, but beyond
this his idea of a salary was that it was
just so much money that was his to
spend each year. At the end of his goth
year something led him to ask himself
the question: What have you done with
your salary this year," He could make
no answer. He thought upon the sub
ject for several days and finally took
pencil and paper determined to work out
reply. He had for the first time
in his life become thoroughly interest
ed in the matter of his expenses He
figured out that his board had cost about
so much clothes during the year about
so much he had sent his mother so
much his summer vacation had cost so
much; and the total of these was about
5000 Could it be possible that he had
spent $500 for amusements and trifies?
He kept thinking over this and finally
said to himself: situated as am /
ought to live on $500, and I'm going to
do it next year. My salary will be $1,000,
and l ought to save half of it; l will try
it, anyway"
He opened an account in a savings
bank with deposit of $40. determining
to deposit a like amount each week of
the year. He knew that if it was a neces-
sary he could draw out little to help
him over an emergency but he was de-
termined not to do this if it could pos
sibly be avoided. He was surprised to
see how much pleasure he had in watch
ing his account grow; but far beyond
this was the satisfaction in knowing that
he was at last making definite prepara-
tons for the future. At the end of the
year he had $500 in the bank He had
been to the theatre but seldom: he had
not been to any Dances but, looking ba cll
it seemed to him to have been the
pleasantest year of his life. He had
made good use of the city library, and
had extended his acquaintance into the
homes OF many pleasant people His
salary was increased and his bank ac-
count had the benefit of it, In a few
years there was a chance for him to get
an interest in a good business If he
could get some help, and the men who
Endorsed for him were influenced by the
sight of his handbook, with the story
1t told of years of economy and good
habits.
When one mentions the matter of saw
ing before those who look upon money as
something to be spent with as little delay
as possible, the old saying is at once
thrown back Better be a spendthrft
than miser." AS If there were no stop
ping place between the two extremes
1t Is hardly necessary to say that a man
may be saving, economical. thrifty and
prudent, and still never verge towards
miserliness All the influences about
him are urging him to spend his income
for present pleasures, and he must de-
velop strong win in order to turn away
from the alluring charms of the tempter.
And one who has reached this stage will
not succumb to the temptation to be
miserly No one needs TO turn to the
sayings of Poor Richard" for arguments
In favor OF thrift. Every block in every
city has its own story of disappointments
and sufferings from the folly of the inn
provident. And every village and every
city has also its examples of the wisdom
OF those who thought for the future.
II any young man will go carefully
over his personal expenses for the pres
ent year, separating those which were
necessary from those which were not, let
him then ask himself II these latter were
worth what they cost him. IT. in looking
back at them, he decides that they were
poor investment for they were not only
capital but what would be the interest
on a goodly sum in ten or twenty years,
henshould then mark out new course
tor imself. Such a resolution will act
upon his character. and II he adheres 10
II faithfully he will be a more valuable
clerk, Will stand greater chance for
promotion, and will be better fitted to do
business.