Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 May 1870 — Little Savings Banks. [ARTICLE]

Little Savings Banks.

“There is nn use in keeping a pig this year,” said Mr. Positive to his wife. “ I haven’t a doubt but the pair we fatted last year cost us thirty cents a pound. It’s a great deal better to buy one ready dressed in the fall and nut it un.” “ But think what a convenience that pork barrel and tub of lard have been to us all this winter. I don’t know how we could have got on without it, with all other provisions so dear. lam afraid you will think a pig costs so much ready money in the fall that you can’t afford to buy one. We don’t feel its cost when we pay out a little at a time.” “That is just a woman’s way of looking at the matter,” said Mr. Positive, with a sneer. “They never can be made to see that money in a lump is just the same as money broken into dimes and quarters. You know it will be just the same in the end. So what is the uee in discussing the matter.” . 1

Mrs. P. sighed tuherself, “what’s the use, to be sure.” She had learned by experience that there was very little use in trying to set her husband right, no matter how crooked his notions were. Her only consolation was,* in the present matter, that experience is a sure if it is a dear school. Well, the season rolled round. There was much refuse from the kitchen that must be wasted because there was nothing to eat it, which would, have cone a long way towards keeping a pig. The time for packing down the pork had come, and as is quite common it had “suddenly taken a rise.” That is, it was two cents higher than was expected, and Mn Positive was indignant. “Catch him paying such an exorbitant price for pork. .No, Indeed; he could go without rather than submit to such extortion. Forty dollars, a . good pig would cost him. He should life [ to know where the money was to come 1 from, lie hadp't half that some ahead." ' Mrs. P. did not say,' “I told you so," but : lam afraid she looked it a little, and I am ■

quite COLfident she thought it. Mr. Positive was convinced, if he did not own it. He niis-' il his delicate doughnuts, and delicious, flikeypiu crusts'that winter; and he w»« obliged, to depend on a very in different market for his supply of meat and sausages. And then the sum paid seemed greater than the cost of all the corn he bought f<>r his last year’s pigs. The fact was that he learned what many others are slow to learn, that such . things as pigs anj poultry are the householder's small savings banks. The money they spend on them would be flirted away on trifles, and not saved up so e.s to constitute a fund for making such purchases all at once. They help also to form habits of frugality and thoughtfulness, without which no one can thrive. I know a lady who always puts her refuse into the stove. If crupibs and crusts are left over, they are scraped into the tire. If a pie is burnt so as to be unfit sos the table, it shares the same fate. It is a very bad example to set before children and servants, and may lay the foundation of future thriftlessness and poverty. It is a handy thing to have a dozen or two of nice chickens to fall back on in an emergency, when a good dinner is wanted for unexpected guests. Poultry is always high, and out of the reach of many who could easily raise a brood or two of chickens and never miss their food. It takes prudence and paines-taking to do this economically, but it pays for the convenience and comfort it brings to the family.—Country Gentleman.