The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-08-23
NO. 40.

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in a little case, and the kind friend, al
ready familiar with the children. now
carefully showed them how books were to
be used, tEtjced them to read, and even
made them promise to spend some Of their
leisure time iu finding out what the books
contained. After some difficulty, be got
things into right; both boys and girls
began to be interested.
We pass over two years. The seed had
been sown, was there any prospect of q
harvest? No one can pass Mr.. Burrits
farm without perceiying some improve
ment The external aspect Of the old
homestead has more cheerful and com
Portable appearance. Instead of the
struggling and unsightly objects which
used to be seen around the house, every
thing has tidy look. The grass is grow
ing, the Towering shrubery crceps up the
walls and adorns the pathway, the yege-
table garden is in better taste, the orna-
mental accompanies the useful, and gives
evidence that the youngsters Of the iaml-
ly have been studying the books on gar
dening. \ glance inside shows better
regulated family, aud more obedicnt and
well-dresscd children. Farmer Burrit
acknowledges that Thomas, his Oldest
boy, has got something out Of his books
which has saved labor and improved his
crops.
Other years pass, and the improvement
is still more visible Mr.. Burrit, rather
ashamed of his deficiencies, has been
reading, 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 favor
able change. The religious books have
accomplished their mission. Religion
dwells in that household, and has its al
tar there. There can be no complaint
that books have rendered the children
idle, for they have been a new stimulus
to industry. The farm prosper5 more
than ever, and the farmer has abandoned
bis preiudices against the various improve
ments in agricultural implements, and has
obtained q good insight into the advan-
tages Of agricultural chemistry. Mrs.
Burrit has become proud of her girls and
boy8-and well she may be, for there are
none like them in the neighborhood-so
sensible, SO refined in manners, so atten-
tive to their duties, so anxious to excel.
We should mention that the kind friend
who had been the cause of this improve
ment, had so far recruited his health, that
be had returned to his city business; but
he had never lost sight Of the Burrits.--
Some ten or twelve years after our mar
ratiYe begins, be spent a week or two
with his old friends. How did he find
things tberl Changed, most agreeably
changed. James, the third son, was OBJ
tanning a good practice, as the best ply
sician in the neighbOrhood; Thomas, the
eldest, was the farmer, and looked up to
as an oracle in all agricultural matters,
and had ezorted happy influence in
raising the characters of all the farmers
around him, and Robert, the second son
what was he? 1t is the Sabbath; many
vehicles are on the road that leads to the
stone church: the house becomes crowd
ed In the front pew sits an anxious
family-it is the Burrits; the cause IS
soon apparent-Robcrt is to preach fer
the first time in the old church, and IN
the presence of many one who knew
him when a little boy. Although with
some signs of timidity, he commenced the
service, and before be had closed, there
was many moist eye in that assembly.
He had spoken to them in an earnest, af-
feotionate, and impressive manner-one
of the most promising young ministers of
the day. Elder Burrit, for 50 be was now
designated, and his kind hearted wife,
we're almost overcome with emotion, as
many strong hand grasped theirs, ac-
companied by hearty congratulations.
Next day, the city friend smilingly in
quired of farmer Burrit why he had not
called on him for the fifty dollars with
interest in full? With fearful eye, and
strong grasp of the hand, he said,
Look at these sons, look at these beloved
daughters, look at my prosperous busI-
ness, look in upon our minds and chang
cd hearts, and you will get the answer
-PIeSt3fcrioR.