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

Pennsylvania husbandman, who had
been brought up very much as his
father and grandfather had been be-
fore him-that is, with Just enough
knowledge to make him a respectable
tiller OF the soil. For several winters,
when farm work was slack, he had
been sent to a country school, and
having some aptitude, lie learned to
read and write tolerably well, and to
cast up simple accounts. There his
literary education ended, and hence
forth his energies were devoted to
that kind Of labor which is so neces-
sary to make a practical farmer. On
the death Of his thrifty father, he
entered into the possession OF a
large and good farm, and in due time
married. At the time TO which we
now refer, he had six children, all
young, who had come into the world
alternately boys and girls, and their
father never dreamed of their being
brought up in any other way than he
and his ancestors had been. Each
one was destined to receive a little
schooling, and to do good deal Of
work, suited 10 their respective ages.
As is unhappily the case with too many
furm-houses, there was but n din
light in that dwelling. There wus
no thought Of culivaling the higher
faculties of its inmn,es. Ghey were
to 90 .h,ough the dull, plod,llng liie
of those who had preceded them
and although the farmer had good
family Bible and Psalm-book, his Ii
brary consisted Of some few ragged
elementary school-bocks, with the
necessary annual almanac. II was in
this state Of affairs that an intelligent
neighbor, who had turned his atlen-
ton from city business to farming,
with the view of recruiting his health,
became acquainted with Mr.. BurrIt,
and deeply interested in his family.
The confidence he inspired, and the
kindly feelings he manifested, made
him a welcome visitor, and gave him
no small influence. In the course Of
many conversations, he threw out oc-
casional hints about the proper train
ing OF children, and the advantages
resulting from cul,ivating their men,
tai faculties and moral powers. Al
though be found farmer Burnt and
his wife rather dull scholars, who with
difficulty could look beyond the mar
row sphere in which they themselves
had been educated, he was neyerthe-
less encouraged to give them line
upon line and precept upon precept.
: Taking advantage OF what he sup
posed a favorable opportunity, he en-
, gagged one day in the following con-
, versalion with the farmer:
'Neighbor Burrit, | was thinking
, to-day that you were one OF the mos
substantial and thriving farmers
'Thank you; am pretty well tc
= the world, but it is because ! work
my way. | have no idle folks abou
, me-
True friend Burnt +; and it is com
r mendable in you but you will ex'
D cuse me if say | have felt some sur
, prise that you have not all the imple
5 ments which good farmer shoulC
have
, Haven't |, though! guess if yo'
$ will look about, you'll find | have al
, need.
6 well, | have been looking about
e and have not found half dozeI
e good books in your house.
Y 'Ohl that's il; and what do
+, want with books -! What's the U.s.
< ofthem ? guess they can't leach nj
$ farming Your book farmers ain
= worth much-always trying some
: thing new, and coming out with shor
:, crops
: sAh but, friend Burrit, book
It teach many good and useful thing
n besides farming; and to tell you III
y truth, really think they might b.
: very useful to your children, whom
d know you love, and would like to Sc
i little more intelligent Than thei
is neighbors. Now, ifyou would spen
5, fifty dollars in good books, wi
is make such selection as | am sur
n will be instructive to your children
is 'Whew fifty dollars laid on. i
f. books Why, you mus. be joking
I, mo, am not; never was NOR
/ serious in my life. My only moiiy
,e for suggesting it is, the interest fe'
a in your family; and will Promis