The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1850-06-20
JRG, COLUMBIA COUNTY, PAS THURSDAY. JUNE 90 1880
FARMER BLAKE,s FIRST LESSON.

FARMER BLAKE'S FIRST LESSON.
When first went 10 live up at the Grange
Farmer B AXE took me into the fields to talk
to me. Twas young then, but quite old e.
nough TO understand what he said
"My lad, "said the farmer, 'if you are to
learn farming, and we are TO go on tidily to-
gether, either must teach you or you must
teach me. Now, as happened 10 know
more than you, it will be but reasonable
that should take the lead, and it will be
time enough when you are the wiser of the
two TO alter the plan"
"Farmer.Blake said this in kind tone of
voice, but the frmness with which he spoke,
convinced me at once that his word was 10
be a law.
"You have picked up a little knowledge
at the school house," said he, ''and now you
must try to pick up little at the Grange
Farm. The firstlesson that will give you
TO learn, is this-a little at time, and go on.
Almost all great things are done on this prin-
ciple The rain from the skies comes down
IN little drops, and the snow comes down in
little flakes5 yet both of them, by going on,
cover the face of the ground"
'Iook here," said Farmer Blake, Stopping
at bush, on which spider was weaving
his web, "see how the little creature is EN-
ployed. First he fastens one line, and then
another, withous wasting his time by idling
between, and it will not be very long, am
thinking, before he catches his fly. The
weaving spider, is following the rule--a III.
tie at time, and go on.
What Farmer Blake said appeared so very
clear to me, that wondered the same thing
had not occurred before. But the farmer de-
iermined to impress his first lesson deeply in
my mind.
On turning round corner we came sud-
denly npon woodman, who was telling an
elm tree, and the dry chips flew around him
as he dealed his lusty stroke with his axe.
"oh," thought I, "the farmer will be at me
again now, about his first lesson;" but no,
not word did he speak | saw, however,
that his eye was now and then fixed upon
me. Though the woodman did not appear
to get on very fast yet by repeated strokes
ne made great cash more than halfway
through the trunk Of the tree; and not long
after down came the elm with loud crash.
Farmer Blake walked on in silence, and
was silent too; when suddenly he said 10
me, "Well, my lad, what are you thinking
of?' 81 Twas thinking sir" said !, ''that the
woodman has brought down the tree, by do
ing little alta time and going on. "Just as
expected" he replied "and now 1 see
that you have learned my first lesson.
When left to myself l thought over every
void that Farmer Blake had spoken, and
felt sure not only that he was the wisest man
| knew, but also that could not do better
thing than attend TO his remarks. In the
course of that day | could hardly look around
without seeing some object which brought
before me Farmer Blake's first lesson. A
brlcklayer was building wall near cottage;
shepherd with his crook, was climbing
high hill and two men were filling a cart
with gravel. BY laying brick at time
and going on, the brick layer would build
the wall; by taking a step at time and 60
ing on, the shepherd would got to the top Of
the hill and by throwing spadeful at a
time, and going on, the cart would be filled.
Many have known who were not salts
fed with doing little at time; they must
needs de great deal, haste to be rich but
they fell into snares, and their riches did
them no good. And some have | known
who were very Jealous In holy things, bu,
they did rot go on. Oh, it is an excellent
thing to feel that we are dependent upon
our Heavenly Father for all we have, even
our daily bread. feel myself much wiser
than was before.
| lived many years at the Grange, and
have great reason TO be thankful for the ma.
ny useful lessons thit the honest farmer
taught me but not single day of all these
years is better remembered by me than the
first day that entered on the farm, and not
single lesson is more deeply impressed on
my mind than the very first that he taught
me. t- .t 81.
! know thai Farmet Blake tn teaching me
his first lesson, intended to apply it especial
ly to farming; but have learned to apply
it to other things. Thousands would have
been benefited had they understood and
praotsed the lesson with humility-a little at
a time, and go on.