Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1915-12-31

TALES ON THRIFT.
  HOLD FAST TO WHAT YOU HAVE.

tran the man who never had a home ct friends, or money, it is the man sho had a home and did not appreci- ate it; friends and couldn't keep them; money and lost it.
 The world is full of derelicts, and every town has it's "has beens" who cpce "were'-had and could not keep II, is a sad comm entary on human lie that men must work and sacri- flee and save; practice thrift for years; accumulate competence, and for one reason or another lose it all, ard begin ever again worse by far, except for the experience.
 Men who were once citizens of af- flIence will be found in the bread fire, sleeping in the parks at night, Tying on relatives, in the poorhouse, selling shoestrings on Broadway, when by better management they might have been in comfortable cir crmstances.
 There are two, principal reasons why men lose what they have ac- cuired:
 First, by being an "easy mark, , lending to friends and relatives and rnable to say mo" to a request for help or an alluring proposition. Sec ond, the desire to make money fast rot by gambling, but by trying to get a large income from a small prin- cipal. The stories of men who have acquired considerable money, and in the desire to make it grow fast have lost it all would fill a book, and no caution is more opportune than this: Hold fast to what you have.
 A few basic and common-sense rules will, if persistently followed, save those who heed them many a rang of regret:
 First: Do not lend your friends. Friendship loans are bad; it is a deli cate matter to ask for your money.
 Second: Never endorse a note for anybody. More losses and business disasters have come about through lending ones name to pro,missory Totes than perhaps any single caus :. If you want to help friend and have the money to spare better make gift outright and forget it than to deceive yourself that it is loan If you cant keep your friends without lending tiem money better lose them; friends are easier made than money.
 Third: Put your money in good bank and leave it there. Experience las proven that the average man can do no better than bank his money, fer in making private investments rlsk attends and loss often follows. There are thousands of good banks, and one is nc doubt in your town, and bank books are mighty good invest nents.
 Fourth: If you accumulate enough to warrant private investment te satisfied with five per cent, and never aim to get more than six. Danger lies beyond six per cent.
 Fifth: Experience has again proven tho country over that first mortgages on improved property at not over 50 per cent, of fair market value is the most satisfactory form e investment and yields the highest returns con- patible with saf:ty. Savings banks specialize in mortgage loans, and you can fellow their lead with safety.
 Sixth: Before making an invest nent, ask your banker if it is legal Ter him and if he would make it; and if not legal question it carefully, and ii he turns it down refuse it.
 Seventh: Never buy land you have rot seen. Millions have been lest In buying lots on the installment plan, particularly in large cities. The pro- oter will make the profit, not you.
 These rules are simple, safe and easily followed. You won't go wrong ii you heed them. They come out Of bitter experience, and why should 3ou pay the same price for knowledSe ether men have paid? Get all you can-honestly, and keep it when once 1t is yours.