by Oliver Optic
Flora and her Father.]
II.
Flora could not help thinking how much good the fortydollars, which her father would have to pay for the birthdayparty, would do if given to the poor.
It seemed to her just like spending the money for a fewhours' pleasure; and even if they had a fine time, whichshe was quite sure they would have, it would be soon over,and not do any real good.
Forty dollars was a great deal of money. It would pay Mrs.White's rent for a whole year; it would clothe her family,and feed them nearly all the next winter. It appeared to herlike a shameful waste; and these thoughts promised to takeaway a great deal from the pleasure of the occasion.
"I think, mother, I had just as lief not have the band, andonly have a supper of bread and butter and seed cakes."
"Why, Flora, what has got into you?" said her father.
Mrs. Lee laughed at the troubled looks of Flora, andexplained to her father the nature of her scruples in regardto the party.
"Where did the child get this foolish idea?" asked herfather, who thought her notions were too old and too severefor a little girl.
"Didn't I see last winter how much good only a little moneywould do?" replied Flora.
"Don't you think it is wicked for me to live in this greathouse, keep five or six horses, and nine or ten servants, whenI could live in a little house, like Mrs. White?" laughedMr. Lee.
"All the money you spend would take care of a dozen familiesof poor folks," said Flora.
"That is very true. Suppose I should turn away all the menand women that work for me,--those, I mean, who work about thehouse and garden,--and give the money I spend in luxuries tothe poor."
"But what would John and Peter, Hannah and Bridget do then?They would lose their places, and not be able to earn anything. Why, no, father; Peter has a family; he has got threechildren, and he must take care of them."
"Ah, you begin to see it--do you?" said Mr. Lee, with asmile. "All that I spend upon luxury goes into the pocketsof the farmer, mechanic, and laborer."
"I see that, father," replied Flora, looking as bright assunshine again; "but all the money spent on my party will bewasted--won't it?"
"Not a cent of it; my child. If I were a miser, and kept mymoney in an iron safe, and lived like a poor man, I shouldwaste it then."
"But twenty dollars for the Riverdale Band is a great dealto give for a few hours' service. It don't do any good, Ithink."
"Yes, it does; music improves our minds and hearts. It makes ushappy. I have engaged six men to play. They are musicians onlyat such times as they can get a job. They are shoemakers, also,and poor men; and the money which I shall pay them will helpsupport their families and educate them."
"What a fool I was, father!" exclaimed Flora.
"O, no; not so bad as that; for a great many older and wiserpersons than yourself have thought just what you think."
"But the supper, father,--the ice cream, the cake, and thelemonade,--won't all the money spent for these things bewasted?"
"No more than the money spent for the music. The confectionerand those whom he employs depend upon their work for themeans of supporting themselves and their families."
"So they do, father. And when you have a party, you arereally doing good to the poor."
"That depends upon circumstances," replied Mr. Lee. "I don'tthink it would be an act of charity for a person who couldnot afford it to give a party. I only mean to say that whenwe spend money for that which does not injure us or any bodyelse, what we spend goes into the pockets of those who needit.
"A party--a proper party, I mean, such a one as you willhave--is a good thing in itself. Innocent amusement is justas necessary as food and drink.
"God has given me wealth, Flora, and he expects me to do allthe good I can with it. I hold it as his steward. Now, whenI pay one of these musicians three or four dollars for anafternoon's work, I do him a favor as well as you and thosewhom you invite to your party.
"And I hope the party will make you love one another morethan ever before. I hope the music will warm your hearts,and that the supper will make you happy, and render youthankful to the Giver of all things for his constantbounty."
"How funny that I should make such a blunder!" exclaimedFlora. "I am sure I shall enjoy my party a great deal morenow that I understand these things."
"I hope you won't understand too much, Flora. Suppose you hadonly a dollar, and that it had been given you to purchase astory book. Then, suppose Mrs. White and her children weresuffering from want of fuel and clothing. What would you dowith your dollar?"
"I would----"
"Wait a minute, Flora," interposed her father. "When youbuy the book, you pay the printer, the paper maker, thebookseller, the type founder, the miner who dug the lead andthe iron from the earth, the machinist who made the press,and a great many other persons whose labor enters into themaking of a book--you pay all these men for their labor;you give them money to help take care of their wives andchildren, their fathers and mothers. You help all thesemen when you buy a book. Now, what would you do with yourdollar?"
"I would give it to poor Mrs. White," promptly repliedFlora.
"I think you would do right, for your money would do moregood in her hands. The self-denial on your part would do yougood. I only wanted you to understand that, when you boughta book,--even a book which was only to amuse you,--the moneyis not thrown away.
"Riches are given to men for a good purpose; and they oughtto use their wealth for the benefit of others, as well asfor their own pleasure. If they spend money, even for thingsthat are of no real use to them, it helps the poor, for itfeeds and clothes them."
Flora was much interested in this conversation, and perhapssome of my young friends will think she was an old head tocare for such things; but I think they can all understandwhat was said as well as she did.
