--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Connelly, Daniel collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 9 number: 5 published: 1906-03 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Daniel Connelly, "The Art of Doing Without: A Poem," *Improvement Era* 9, no. 5 (March 1906): 409.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0905unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera0905unse start_page: 409 end_page: 409 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1906-03) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0905unse publication_year: 1906 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1906, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Art of Doing Without: A Poem A CUSTOM— AN OPPORTUNITY. 409 making speeches to the parents and relatives of the dead, and in this way we get an opportunity to explain to them the principles of the gospel, and the ordinances thereof. We are also given an opportunity, on such occasions, to give other speeches, necessary for the lifting of the natives to higher ideals of living, and to show them the folly of some of the customs and traditions of their forefathers. While the readers of the Era are enjoying wools, furs, and sleigh-riding, we are eating our new potatoes, strawberries, gooseberries, etc. We wish you all a happy new year. Mahia, New Zealand. THE ART OF DOING WITHOUT. There's a beautiful art that is sadly neglected, And, daily, I wonder to see it rejected By some who'd be healthy, wealthy, and wise, By just condescending to open their eyes, And look at things fairly, with never a pout: I refer to the fine art of doing without. "Why that's nothing wonderful, " maybe you'll say, "I do without things I want, every day." Quite likely you do, but how do you do it? With good grace, or with f ace^like a bluet? For there's a wonderful difference, just jot that down, Between giving up things with a smile, or a frown ; And that is precisely the difference between The artist and bungler — you see what I mean. You can't do as you like? then do as you can. I'm sure you will find it the very best plan. Can't have what you want? take what you can get. No better advice has been patented yet. 'Tis the bravest and blithest and best way by far. Not to let little losses your happiness mar. 'Tis an art that needs practice, of that there's no doubt. But- 'tis worth it — this fine art of doing without. Daniel Connelly. Eureka, Utah.