Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-07-13

He respected his noighbor; he knew
him TO be good friend, and although
he thought the suggestion foolish
one. yet he was touched at the kind
interest expressed in his children.
After silence OF some time, as il he
knew not what 10 say, he replied -
We'll, well, will think of it,
A day or two afterwards, the same
friend visited the larmer, and before
he had time to return TO the CONVEX
sa,ion, the farmer said, Il have been
thinking of what you said, and out of
respect to you, here are the fifty dol
lars for the books it's foolish affair,
and wouldn't like to have it get a.
broad ; but, added he, laughing, I'll
hold you to the promise of paying
principal and interest at the end OF
six years. | can't lose much by the
investment
Ills friend took the money with
great pleasure, and he saw that a new
light was about TO dawn on farmer
Burril's household. The books were
purchased. Besides some good relig-
ious books, including several biogra-
plies, he had selected choice vol
ume or two on agriculture and gard
ening, several on general history and
natural history, few good books of
travels, and various other books, some
to entertain and others to awaken
thought. In due time they were
properly disposed in little case, and
the kind friend, already familiar with
the children, now carefully showed
them how books were to be used, en-
ticed them to read, and even made
them promise TO spend some Of their
leisure time in finding out what the
books contained. After some diff
Guilty, he got things into a right train I;
both boys and girls began TO be in =
leres,ed.
We pass over two years. The
seed had been sown, was there any
prospect of harvest No one can
pass Mr.. Burrlt's farm without pre-
ceiving some improvement. The
external aspect of the old homestead
has a more cheerful and comfortable
appearance. Instead Of the Struggling
and unsightly objects which used to
be seen around the house, everything
has a tidy look. The grass is grow
ing, the towering shrubbery creep'
up the walls aud adorns the pathway
the Vegetable garden is in better taste
the ornamental accompanies the use
( ful, and gives evidence that the
Youngsters of the family have beer
I studying the books on gardening.
/ glance INSIDE shows a better regulate
family, and more obedlent and we
dressed children. Framer BURT, &C
knowicdgcds that Thomas, his oldes
boy, has got something out of hi
books which have saved labor ano
improved his crops.
Other years pass, and the improve.
menl is still more visible. Mr.. Bur
rit, rather ashamed OF his deficiencies
has been reading, and, marvellous tC
tell, has spent an additional fifty dol
lars in books. His conversation ha:
become more intelligent. He knows
something be ides farming, and his
whole manner has undergone favor
able change. The religious books
have accomplished their mission,-
Religion dwells in that household
and has its altar there. There cat
be no complaint that books have rem
dered the children idle, for they have
been new stimulus TO industry. The
farm prospers more than ever, ant
the farmer hos abandoned his prelu
dices against the various improve
ments in agricultural implements
and has obtained a good insight into
the advantages OF agricultural chem
istry. Mrs. b, rrit has become prouC
of her girls and boys, and well sh'
may be, for there are none like then
in the neighborhood-so sensible, ST
refined in manners, so attentive t
their duties so anxious 10 excel.
We should mention that the kim
friend who had been the cause o
this improvement, had so far recruit
ed his health, that he had returned t
his city business but he never los
sight OF the Burrits.-Some twelve o
fourteen years after our little nara
tive begins, he spent week or tw
with his old friends. How did h
find things then; Changed, mos
agreeably changed. James, the lhir
son, was obtaining a good practice
as the best physician in the neighboi
hood Thomas, the eldest, was til
farmer, and looked up to as an oracl
in all agriculturalualters, and exerte
a happy influence in raising the char
acier of all the farmers around him
and Robert, the second son-whI
was he? |, is the Sabbath man
vehicles are on the road that leads I
the stone church the house become
crowded. In the front pew sits a
anxious famlly-it is the Burrlls III
cause is soon appareui-Robert is
preach for the first time in the oil
church, and in the presence of man
one who knew him when a lin
boy. Although with some signs {
iimidi,y he commenced the servic'
yet before he had closed, there WI
many a moist eye in that assembl.
He had spoken to them in an earnes
affectionate, and impressive mamie
-one of the most promising youn
ministers OF the day. Elder Burn
for he was now so officially designs
IL 81 IL l.,I hoart.d ,x,,fn ,xo,