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P r i n t e d a t C h e m a w a , O r e g o n , a n d D e v o t e d to t h e i n t e r e s t s o f I n d i a n E d u c a t i o n
Vol. X X III
W ednesday, December 15, 1920
IT P A Y S TO SAVE
No. 11
not pay sufficient compliments to our great school iu
Thrift is a word we apply nearly altogether to its well-organized departments; but she said she was
money, prudent living. It means the careful han compelled to criticize the propensities of our students
to throw away so much money for absolutely worth
dling of one s money the wisest possible expenditure
less stuff; that the students were for that very reason
of what is ours. It is a subject as old almost as man,
largely ruining their careers, that such habits would
but to each generation it seems ever new and is al ruin and cripple any idea of saving. In other words,
ways a timely lesson for all.
this constant spending of money— recklessly spending
Thrift is a friend of man; it is a civilizer; its practice their last cent as they went along— would become
fixed habits and would grow and result in the students
gives an upward tendency to the life of an individual.
having no thought for the future and would make of
It is not only one of the principal foundation stones them worthless spendthrifts.
of a fortune, but also the foundation of much which
Again, it is known that many of our students write
is excellent in character. It improves the quality of home to their parents for money, stating that it is de
individuals and the exercise of thrift is a mighty strong sired to purchase food and other necessities, money
indication of superiority in many ways. The habit of that the parents could not afford to send them, but
deprived themselves in order to provide this money
thrift shows self-control; it is proof that a person is for their children— and the children simply wasted
not a weakling, not a hopeless victim of appetite, his such money in buying things that did them harm in
weaknesses, but that such a person is a master of him- stead of good.
We maintain that it is a sacred duty of men to save
herself as well as of his money. We know well
a
certain
percentage of their earnings for the protection
that a thrifty boy or girl will not be slovenly in
of those who may be depending upon them, as well as
habits or dress, but will have a certain amount of for their own protection. Our poor houses are full of
system and order; that they will be energetic and in spendthrifts.
Young people fail to give much thought one way or
dustrious and that they are very likely to grow up to
the other in regard to the value of money. Just here
be honest and efficient.
lies
the great fault in nearly all mankind. The abil
Every one of our readers, especially our students,
ity to accumulate money and property is closely re
should cultivate the habit of being thrifty. It means lated to the way in which the first earnings are treated.
that you have begun to be master of yourself, that This is true more in the spending than in the earning.
you are commencing to develop those grand human It is a fact that nine times out of ten the man or woman
qualities self-reliance, independence, prudence, fore who in earlier years of small earnings and light re
sight— and that you are developing your resourceful sponsibilities have not saved from 25 to 50 per cent
of their wages, no matter how small they may have
ness. In other words, it indicates that you have a been, will never in later years save anything worth
purpose in life and that you are developing manly while, regardless of the increase in their income.
and womanly traits. To be thrifty merely requires They spend as they go.
So, students and readers, get the habit of being
common sense and the power of resisting selfish en
thrifty.
Let our students get the habit of thrift right
joyments. It needs no fervent resolution, but only a
little backbone and patient self-denial added to horse here at school, for unless you are able to deny your
selves while young and refuse to be led to spend by
sense. The more this habit of thrift is practiced the
impulse, you will always be handicapped and will
easier it becomes and the sooner you are compensated
for the little sacrifices you make. Thousands of prove no match for the thrifty person in business
affairs, or other affairs of life’s activities. You will
dollars are absolutely thrown away each year in the always be “ hard-up,” or “ broke,” and borrowing
purchase of things not needed by our Chemawa boys
from your friends, finally to be cast upon the human
and girls— things often harmful, rather than bene junk pile as worthless.
ficial in any sense. The trash carried onto our cam
Every-one at Chemawa, large or small, should have
pus costs thousands of dollars annually.
foresight and shrewdness enough to protect his earn
Not long ago a very discerning and clever lady
ings and unless he does he will be forced in the end
visitor at Chemawa remaked that the various educa
to admit that poverty hurts. Unhappiness, want and
tional opportunities offered to Indian students here
woe
eventually overtake the spendthrift and those
were remarkable in their high aims; that she could
who depend upon him.