Every man of good health, who will make an honest and determined effort, has it in his power to change such a home as has been described into a palace of joy, comfort, and happiness, and even beauty.
There are many thousands of men and women throughout the land who would not to-day have their own roof over their heads but for the building society and the thrifty habits acquired through it.
ROW OF $1400 HOUSES.
The officers and members of these societies are men who have, by degrees, worked their way on the path to independence, and they are highly respected by all who know them, and pointed out as examples by their neighbors.
Members of these societies, after becoming firmly established in thrifty habits, delight in relating their own experience as well as that of others. There are thousands of interesting cases on record, of which samples are given below:—
A short time ago, at a house of mourning, the members of the family called the writer’s attention to a girl about fifteen years of age, who had volunteered her services to the family until after the funeral. This remark was made: “Our case is sad enough (the death of a father), but the child you saw at the door has a father who has been confined to the house with a lingering illness. There are several younger children, and one girl older than the one you saw. The two girls have been working in a mill, but on short time. Their case is sadder than ours, and they were the first to volunteer to help us.” The above is the sad part of the story, but there is a silver-lined side, since ascertained. The father joined a building society some years ago and bought a house for $2000, and while on his sick bed received a paid-up deed for his home, the building society shares having matured.
It is now twenty years since a big, strong man, under the influence of strong drink, visited the office of a building society secretary and asked if a Mrs. —— had any shares in the society. The books were examined and an affirmative answer was given. The next question was, “How much has been paid in on the shares?” Answer, “Three hundred and sixty dollars.” The inquirer brought his fist down on the secretary’s desk and exclaimed:—
“So it is true, is it? I will stop that game; that woman is my wife, and I have just heard that she is going to draw out the money and run away.”
The secretary measured the man, and, risking a fight, determined to hasten a climax.