I have earned more money than in any preceding year; I have studied less, but have observed more, than I did last year.

I have saved more money than ever before, hoping for Europe in 1856." ...
Miss Mitchell from her earliest childhood had had a great desire to travel in Europe.

She received a very small salary for her services in the Atheneum, but small as it was she laid by a little every year.
She dressed very simply and spent as little as possible on herself--which was also true of her later years.

She took a little journey every year, and could always have little presents ready for the birthdays and Christmas days, and for the necessary books which could not be found in the Atheneum library, and which she felt that she ought to own herself,--all this on a salary which an ordinary school-girl in these days would think too meagre to supply her with dress alone.
In this family the children were not ashamed to say, "I can't afford it," and were taught that nothing was cheap that they could not pay for--a lesson that has been valuable to them all their lives.
"....

1855.