Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 April 1891 — Economy and Stinginess. [ARTICLE]

Economy and Stinginess.

“I declare to goodness,” said the farmer, as he leaned on his hoe and watched the lawyer walk by, “that naan’s stingy as all creation! Got a hoss in the stable, an’ walks to and from the station to save wear and tear on his old buggy.” It never occurred to the farmer that the lawyer, who was cooped up in his city office all day, was walking for his health. In the same way he misjudged the young doctor, who took care of his own horse to save the expense of a hostler that he might have money to buy books and instruments.

Economy is doing without what you don’t need; stinginess is doing without what you ought to have. The man of ordinary means who will not buy strawberries in midwinter is economical ; the rich miser who will not buy a nutritious steak or chop, when he is weak and needs it, is stingy. “Mother,” said Harrv Harmon, after his first day’s work, “I’m working for the stingiest man in town. Instead of sweeping the floor right into the street, he makes me pick out every bit of paver and string, which he intends to sell.” “Bid you ever!” exclaimed Mrs. Harmon. “Harry,” said Mr. Harmon, looking up from his paper, “is the United States Government stingy?” “I should say not!” “Yet government employes are expected to account for every penny stamp, ounce of old iron, scrap of leather—indeed, every bit of waste paper and piece of string. That is not stinginess; it is economy.” There is such a thing as mistaken economy. Some things we can hire done more cheaply than we can do them ourselves. It would not beeconou ioal for our young doctor to saw his own woqd and take care of his horse if these interfered with his dntv to his patients, any more than it would be for the woodsawyer to prescribe his own medicines to save the doctor’s fee.

“Do you know,” said a prosperous lawyer to his fellow-traveler on the suburban train, “I believe I’ll reshingle my barn during the court vacation. I might just as well as not save the money.” “H’m!” said his friend, dubiously. “I hope you will save money, but I doubt if that is an economical wav to do it.” The lawyer did rot see the force of this remark until he slid off the roof and broke his arm. Then he counted up his pain, the doctor’s bill and the expense of shingling, which had to be done anvhow, and sent word to his friend that if he “saved much more money that way, he would be ruined.” This reminds one of the literary gentleman who undertook to paint the interior of his house. “My dear,” he said to his wife, “the painter is extortionate enough to ask thirty-two dollars for the job. Now’ I can buy the paint, oil, turpentine and and brushes for fourteen dol’ars, and save eighteen dollars. You know what Franklin said about a penny earned?” His wife knew, but being a wise little woman, said nothing for a week, and. then she laid this account before his eyes: / Pa'nt, brushes, etc $14.00 1 pair trousers ruined 8.00 1 moquette carpet, daubed with paint and virtually ruined ... 30.00 1 mirror broken 3.00 T0ta1....... ....... .$55.00 “Did Franklin say anything about the cobbler sticking to his last?”— Youth’s Companion.