The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-08-23
G0u rotion0l.
Farmer Burrit and his Library


Pennsylvania husbandm nan, who had beer
brought up very much as his father and
grandfather had been before hir=-that
is, with just knowledge enough to make
him a respectable tiller of the soil. Fol
several winters, when farm work was
slack, he had been sent to q country
school, and having some aptitude, he
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 necessary to
make practical farmer. On the death
of his thrifty father, be entered into pos
session of 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 al
ternately boys and girls, and their father
never dreamed of their being brought up
in any other way than he and his ances-
tors had been. Each one was destined
to receive little schooling, and to do a
good deal of work, suited to their respec-
tive ages. AS is unhappily the case
with too many farm-houses, there was but
a dim light in that dwelling. There was
no thought of cultivating the higher fac
ultics of its inmates. They were to 60
through the dull, plodding life of those
who had preceded them; and although the
farmer had a good family Bible and
Psalm book, his library consisted Of some
few ragged elementary school books, with
the necessary annual almanac. 1t was
in this state of affairs that an intelligent
neighbor, who had turned his attention
from a city business to farming, with the
view of recruiting bis health, became ac-
quainted with Mr.. Burrit, and deeply in
terested in his family. The confidence
he inspired, and the kindly feelings he
manifested, made him welcome visitor,
and gave him no small influence In the
course of many conversations, he threw
out occasional hints about the proper
training of children, and the advantages
resulting from cultiTating their mental
faculties and moral powers. Although
be found farmer Burrit and his wife ratb
er dull scholars, who with difficulty
could look beyond the narrow sphere in
which they themselves had been educated
he was nevertheless encouraged to give
them line upon line and precept upon pre-
cept Taking advantage Of what he sup
posed a favorable opportunity, he enga-
oed one day in the following conversation
with the farmer:
'Neighbor Burrit, was thinking to-day
that you were one Of our most substantial
and thriving farmers
Thank you; am pretty well to do in
the world, but it is because | work my
way. l have no idle folks about me-
True, friend Burrit; and it is common
dable in you; but you will excuse me if l
say l have felt some surprise that you
have not all the implements which good
farmer should have
Haven't I, though? guess if you
will look about, you'll find | have all /
need
well, l have been looking about, and
have not found half a dozen good books
in the house
'Oh! that's it; and what Go l want with
books! What's the use of them? guess
they can't teach me farming. Your book
farmers aren't worth much-always try
ing something new, ond coming out with
short crops
'Ah! but, friend Burrit, books teach
many good and useful things besides farm
ing; and to tell you the truth, really
think they would be very useful to your
children, whom | know you love, and
would like to sec little more intelligent
than their neighbors'. Now, you would
spend fifty dollars in good books, l will
m axe such a selection as | am sure would
be instructive to your children
'Whew! fifty dollars laid out in books !.
Why, you must be joki ng!
No, | am not; | never was more seri-
Gus in my life Ny only motive for sug-
gesting it is, the interest | feel in your
family; and l will promise you that if at
the end of six years you repent Of the
purchase, l will refund the fifty dollars,
with full interest for the whole tine
Farmer Burrit looked puzzled. He
respected his neighbor; he knew him 80 be
a good friend, and although he thought
the suggestion a foolish one, yet he was
touched at the kind interest expressed In
his children After silence OF some few
minutes, as if he knew not what to say,
he replied We'll, well, ! will think Of it.
A day or two afterwards, the same
friend visited the farmer, and before be
had had time to return to. the converse
ton, the farmer said, Il have been think
ing 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; but added lie,
laughing, IN hold you to your promise
of paying principal and interest at the
end Of six years
His>friend took the money with great
pleasure, and he saw that new light was
about to dawn on farmer Burrit's house
hold The books were PUTchrsed. be
sides some GOOD religious books, lnciud-