"Six glasses a week at sixpence each, will make just the sum of three shillings, which added to the cost of tobacco, will make fifty cents a week for beer and tobacco, or what would amount to a hundred dollars and over in four years." "Dear knows, a poor mechanic has few enough comforts without depriving himself of trifles like these," said Johnson. "By giving up such trifles as these, for trifles they really are, permanent and substantial comforts may be gained. But, besides chewing tobacco and drinking beer, you indulge yourself in a plate of oysters, now and then, do you not?" "Certainly I do. A hard-working man ought to be allowed to enjoy himself a little sometimes." "And this costs you two shillings weekly?" said the persevering friend. "At least that," was replied. "How often do you take a holiday to yourself?" "Not often. I do it very rarely." "Not oftener than once a month?" "No." "As often?" "Yes, I suppose I take a day for recreation about once in a month, and that is little enough, dear knows." "You spend a trifle at such times, of course?" "Never more than half a dollar. I always limit myself to that, for I cannot forget that I am a poor journeyman mechanic." "Does your wife take a holiday, too?" asked the friend, with something significant in his look and tone. "No," was replied. "I often try to persuade her to do so; but she never thinks she can spare time. She has all the work to do, and three children to see after; and one of them, you know, is a baby." "Do you know that this day's holiday once a month, costs you exactly twenty-two dollars a year?" "No, certainly not, for it costs no such thing." "Well, let us see. Your wages per day come to one dollar thirty-three cents and one-third. This sum multiplied by twelve, the number of days lost in the year, gives sixteen dollars. Half a dollar spent a day for twelve days makes six dollars, and six dollars added to sixteen amount to twenty-two. Now, have I not calculated it fairly?" "I believe you have," replied Johnson, in an altered tone. "But I never could have believed it." "Add to this, thirteen dollars a year that you pay for oysters, and you have--" "Not so fast, if you please. I spend no such sum as you name, in oysters." "Let us try our multiplication again," coolly remarked the friend. "Twenty-five cents a week multiplied into fifty-two weeks, gives exactly thirteen dollars. Isn't it so?" "Humph! I believe you are right. But I never would have thought of it."