The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1916-12-22
LOOKING BACKWARD.

! We complain, and imagine that We have much
reason for it, at the high cost of living. because
prices are much higher than they used to be; but,
looking backward, we will discover that bad as
is our present condition, things were very much
worse when little or nothing was thought or said
about it, says the Memphis News-Scimitar.
A writer in the Yazoo (Miss.) Sentinel points
out that in 1869-7O kerosene oil sold for Is cents
the gallon, calico Is cents a yard, green coffee 33
cents a pound, yellow sugar 16 l-2 cents a pound,
salt SO a sack, -four $3.50 a barrel, bacon % cents
q pound, molasses Is cents a gallon, plain brogan
shoes $3.50 per pair and spool cotton 10 cents
each.
At that time the writer was working on a
farm for so cents a day, and the highest-priced
farmland received only 81 a day in the busy sea-
son. People lived and loved and were happy in
those days, and there was less complaint heard
than we are compelled to listen to at the present
time.
The cost of living is higl beyond all doubt at
the present time, but much Of it is caused by the
cost of high living. We demand so much more
than formerly. Our wants have increased and
out stripped our revenues. F~orty-six years ago
this writer concludes that the average expense
of living did not exceed more than is now spent
on %luxuries, plays, picture shows, soda fountains,
delicatessens, ~sartorial bravery and other things
that the present generation is not willing to do
without, and in order to obtain is often driven to
extremities.
The high cost of living will not be felt by
those of the present day who moderate their de-
mands and teach themselves the simple lesson of
getting along with less. Many of our new wants
are injurious to us when g~ratifed, and it would
be better for US from a physical and moral stand
point if we could deny ourselves these luxuries
or if the fates would deny them to US.
A very wise philosopher some centuries ago
had a habit Of moving from shop to shop and
gazing upon the different articles exposed for
sale in his native Athens. As his friends never
saw him make any purchases, and as they were
always anxious to have his opinions and be in
.structed by him, they made bold to ask him why
it was that he seemed to take so much pleasure
in spending time looking upon such things as
were offered for sale. He admitted that he de-
rived a peculiar enjoyment from the practice, be-
cause as he moved slowly from shop to shop he
was charmed by seeing so many things that he
did not want.
The trouble with people of the present day is
they want everything that is exposed for sale in
the shop windows, and if they are fortunate and
have money enough to supply themselves with
these they go about looking for the unseen
things, good or bad, that may be had for money.
The happiest people-and we are all seeking
happiness-are those who are rich, not in the
possession of much, but in the need of little.
Civilization has advanced by leaps and bounds
and the laboring man today enjoys comfort and
that were denied the kings and princes
and potentates in years gone by. We have in
creased production, and there is more within
the reach of the individual than ever before; but
instead of satisfying his needs this abundance
seems to have multiplied his wants and made him
more i~nsistent in his demands for more.
A w~ell-fled larder and a well-supplied table
are great blessings, but if we would save the
money that is being spent in the qualification of
and harmful appetites, the pamper-
ing Of vanity, the tribute which we pay to GUS
tom, and the enormous tax which convention and
a desire to keep up with the foremost in display
ing the outward evidences of wealth, life would
be much less of a struggle and existence would be
more pleasing and satisfactory.
At the present time poor people find the prob
lem of sustaining life, clothing and sheltering
themselves a serious one, but even the poorest,
in order to keep up with the procession, spend
much of their substance in unnecessary ways.
They want to be entertained and amused by some
thing purchasable, something that is outside Of
themselves. This is not only expensive, but in
furious, because it dwarfs their inherency, retards
their growth and deprives them of the riches
which lie concealed il their own minds and hearts,
and which are accessible to introspection, con-
temptation, reflection and study.
There will probably never be a time when peo-
pie will not find it difficult to live as they wish.
The rich cannot do it now. They may have
money, but they have not the time. They are
trying to take too much out Of life, and like the
greedy youngster who tries to carry away too
many apples, lose all.
To live happily it is not necessary to cult
vate an anchoritish ~austerity or to have a monk
III 49,. e.. ~--z - H.