Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-11-02

visited the farmer, and before he had tint
to return to the conversation, the farmer
said, l 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 l wouldn't have it get abroad; but
added he laughing, I'll hold you to your
promise of paying principal and interest al
the end Of SIX years. can't lose much
! by the investment
His friend took the money with great
pleasure, and he saw that new light was
about to dawn on farmer Buritt's house
hold; the books we've purchased. Besides
some good religious books, including sew
eral biographies, be had selected choice
volume or two on agriculture and garden
ing, several on general history and natural
history, a few good books of travels, and va
rous 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, 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
difficulty, he got things into right train 4;
both boys and girls began to be interested.
We pass over two years. The seed had
been sown, was there any prospect of har-
vest. No one can pass Mr.. Burrit's farm
without Perceiving some improvement, The
external aspect Of the old homestead has a
moro cheerful and comfortable appearance.
Instead of the struggling and unsightly OBJ
jects which used TO be seen around the
house. Every thing has tidy look. The
grass is growing, the Towering shrubbery
creeps up the wall and adorns the path
way, the vegetable garden is in better taste,
the ornamental accompanies the useful,
and gives evidence that the youngsters Of
the family have been Studying the books
on gardening. A glance inside shows a
better regulated family, and more obedient
and well dressed 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 read
ing and marvellous to tell has spent an ad-
ditional fifty dollars in books. His conver-
sation has become more intelligent He
knows something besides farming, and his
whole manner has undergone a favorable
change. The religious books have accom-
pshed their mission. Religion dwells in
that household, and has its altar there
There can be no complaint that books have
rendered the children idle, for they have a
new stimulus to industry. The farm pros
pers more than ever, and the farmer has
abandoned his prejudices against the vari-
Gus improvements in agricultural imple-
ments, and has obtained good insight in
to the advantages of agricultural chemistry.
Mrs. Burrit has become proud Of her girls
and boys-and well she may be, for there
are none like them in the neighborhood-
50 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
he had returned to his city business; but
he had never lost sight of the Burrit's.-
Some ten or twelve years after our nara
tive begins, he spent week ol two with
his old friends. How did he find things
then? Changed most agreeably changed.
James the third son, was obtaining a good
practice, and the best physician in the
neighborhood; and Thomas, the eldest, was
the farmer, and looked to as an oracle in
all agricultural matters, aud had exerted a
happy influence in raising the characters
of all the farmers around him; and Robert,
the second son-what was he? II is the
Sabbath many vehicles are on the road
tina. leads to the stone church; the house
becomes crowded. In the front pew sits an
anxious family-it is the Burrits; the cause
is soon apparant-Robert is to preach for
The first time in the old church, and in the
presence of many a one who knew him
when little boy. Although with some
signs of timidity he commenced the service,
before be had closed. there was many a
moist eye in that assembly. He had spoke
to them in an earnest affectionate and i'm
pressive manner-one of the most promis
ing young ministers of the day. Elder
Burrit, for now he was officially designated
and his kind hearted wife, were almost over
come with emotion, as many strong hand
grasped theirs accompanied by hearty con-
gratulations.
Next day, the city friend smilingly in
quired OF farmer BURT why he had not
called on him for the fifty dollars with inter
est in full? With a fearful eye, and a
strong grasp of the hond, he said, Look at
these sons, look at these beloved daughters,
look at the old couple, look at my prosper
our business. look in upon our minds and
changed hears, and you will get the an
swer. ."-PreSbyteridB.
Incident.
A {. Ia, Io1o al