I expect my nose will be at the grindstone all my life." "How much does your tobacco cost you, Johnson ?" asked his companion.
"Nothing, to speak of.

A mere trifle," replied the man named Johnson.
"A shilling a week ?" "About that." "And you take something to drink, now and then ?" "Nothing but a little beer.

I never use any thing stronger." "I suppose you never take, on an average, more than a glass a day ?" "No, nor that." "But you occasionally ask a friend to take a glass with you ?" "Of course, that is a thing we all must do, sometimes--" "Which will make the cost to you about equal to a glass a day ?" "I suppose it will; but that's nothing." "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.