Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 May 1886 — A More Excellent Way. [ARTICLE]

A More Excellent Way.

It was Saturday afternoon, and the quiet sitting-room of Mrs. Morse wore a cosy, home-like look. Whatever of litter by way of work cr "pleasure hail accumulated during tho week was removed, apd the room was toned down for Sunday rest. f Mrs. Morse, in quiet house-dress, Vaa Carefully conning the week’s expense, when the door-bell announced a caller. -That tsdler-was myself. - Maud Alston—now Mrs. Morse—and myself were old-time friends, and though out homes were now distant we bail not dost sight of each other, and whenever I visited her town X ca11ed..... l ive years had passed kincc-her marriage with Wilber Morse, and I was wire they had irum happy years, not' withstanding limited means. Botli had belonged to aristocratic families,, and moved in first circles, yet depended wholly upon themselves, and at their marriage decided to live within their income. Wilber was a hardworking lawyer. -He possessed talent, yet it must take ’time and monev to' bring it forth. Recognized ability would undoubtedly he his some day, and in the meantime he must live. They took a small cottage, and began life -in a very moderate and modest manner, resolving not to go in debt one cent. , Doubtless their small belongings sometimes brought humiliation when wealthy and fashionable friends called, but.they held to simple ways, and were eheerful, contented, out of debt, and now on the road to competency, How sensible, thought I, had been their course! How much to be preferred to the showy beginning made by some yonng people—and I remembered a call of the day before. Alice Dean and Walter Childs were wed the same season, and their wedding was a very stylish, celebrated affair; in fact, in fashionable society of their city home—the same as Maud’s—it was the event of the season.

I knew Maud’s worldly circumstances,' in many respects, had been peculiarly trying, when compared with this friend’s, for instance, for they were of the same set, but the simpler had proved the wiser, for I fonnd Mrs. Childs fretful, peevish, discontented, unhappy, in spite of wealth and costly surroundings. Besides, she confidentially told me, they were liviug beyond their income, and a crash must soon come—then what ? And tears flowed afresh, and life’s burden grew heavy. All, life’s burdens!'" They will come, and how much better to be trained, fitted and prepared for them than constantly shirking and planning to shirk. More excellent, indeed, was Maud’s course, and the fruits were being manifest. Greatly to be preferred was her rule of living than that of her friend Alice, for while she has grown unselfish, thinking, living for others, Mrs. Child’s life was extremely self-centred. “What shall I do if Walter’s business goes down ?" Yet others were affected by the failure. Better a home of quiet and peace where “carking care” and yawning debt dwell not, than a prince’s Borne with these. And in reviewing my calls I said: “Give me the excellent beginning of Maud and Wilber; true happiness is theirs.” —Christian at Work.