The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-08-15

Neighbor Burrit, was thinking to
day that you were one of our most sub
stantial and thriving farmers"
Thank you; am pretty well to dc
in the world, but it is because work my
way. | have no idle folks about me-"
True, friend Burr:t; and it is com.
mendable in you; but you will excuse
me it say | have felt some surprise that
you have not all the implements which a
good farmer should have"
Haven't /, thought I guess if YOU
will look about, you'll find have all |
need"
"Well, have been looking about, and
l have not found half dozen good books
in your house."
80! that's it; and what do | want
with books !? What's the use Of them ?
guess they cant teach me farming.
Your book farmers amt worth much
always trying something new, and COM
ing out with short crops"
"Ah !! but friend Burrit, books teach
many good and useful things, besides
farming; and to tell YOU the truth,
really think they might be very useful to
Your children, whom l know You love,
and would like to see little more intel
ligent than their neighbcrs. Now, if YOU
would only spend fifty dollars in good
books, will make such a selection as |
am sure will be instructive to your chill
dren."
Whew! fifty dollars laid out in
books Why, you must be joking"
"No, am not; never was moro Sc
rious in my life. My only motive for
suggesting it, is the interest feel in your
family; and will promise you, that if at
The end Of six years, you repent of the
purchase, | will refund the fifty dollars
with full interest for the whole time"
Farmer Burrit looked puzzled. lie
respected his neighbor; 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
minutes, as if he knew not what to saw.
he replied,-" We'll, well, will think of
It," A day or two afterwards, the same
friend visited the farmer, and before he
had time to return to the conversation,
the farmer said, 81 have been thinking
OF what you said, and out OF respect to
you, here are the fifty dollars for the
books; it's foolish affair, and | wouldn't
like to have it get abroad; Lut," added
he, laughing, &c III hold you to the promise
OF paying principal and interest at the
end of six years. I 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 Burrii's
household. The books were purchased.
Besides some good religious books, in
Guiding several biographies, he had Sc
lected choice volume or two on agri-
culture and gardening, 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 proper.
~ disposed in little case, and the kind
friend, already familiar with the children
now carefully showed them how books
were to be used, enticed 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 trim ;
both boys and girls began to be inte,
rested.
We pass over two years. The seed
had been sown, was there any prospect of
a harvest? No one can pass Mr.. Bur-
MS fam without perceiving some improve
ment. The external asrect of the old
homestead has more cheerful and COM
Portable appearance. Instead ofthe strag-
Cling and unsightly objects Which used
to be seen around the house, every thing
has tidy look. The grass is growing,
the Towering shrubbery creeps up the
walls and adorns the pathway, the vege.
table garden is in better taste, the orna-
mental accompanies the useful, and gives
evidence that the youngest of the family
have been studying the books on garden
ing. A glance inside shows a better
regulated family, and more obedient and
wel-dressed children. Farmer Burrit ac-
knowledges that Thomas. his oldest boy,
has got something out of his books which
have saved labor and improved his crops.
Other years pass, ard improvement is
still more visible. Mr.. Burrit, rather
ashamed Of his DEFICIENCIES, has been read.
ing, and, marvellous to tell. has spent an
additional fifty dollars in books. His
conversation has become more intelligent
He knows something besides farming, and
his whole manner has undergone favo,
rabie change. The religious books ha, &
accomplished their mission. Religion
hwells in that household, and has its altar
there. There can be no complaint tha
books have rendered the children idle, fol
they have been new stimulus to indus
try. The farm piospers more than ever
and the farmer has abandoned his pre-
Judices against the various Improvement
in agricultural implements. and has oh
tained good insight into the advantage
OF agricultural chemistry. Mrs. Burr
has become proud Of her girls and BOYS
and well she may be, for there are non,
like them in the neighborhood-so sensi
ble, so refined in manners, so attentive I,
their duties, so anxious to excel.
We should mention that the kin,
friend who had been the cause of thi
, improvement, had so far recruited hi
health, that he had returned 10 his cit,