Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-11-26
OBJ fanlilpy Girfle.
THE FARMER BOY.

From the VERY nature Of his employ
ment thesfarmer boy is an imaginative be
ing. The apprentice at trade, or the
young clerk at the desk; the GRAND boy
in the city. or the young operative in the
mandatory. find in their occupation food
for thought, and the busy world around
them gains their interest and attention. =
But the thoughts Of the farmer boy who is
employed at labor performed chiefly by
muscular strength, and demanding but
little mental action, roam at large in an
Imaginary world beyond the boundary IF
the few acres he tills, away from his hum
bic home.
He often imagines his youthful spirit
cramped and confined by continual delvs
ing in theearth. His hands reluctantly
grasp the hoe aud spade; for the meagre
library at home has turned his scheming
BRAIN and he looks forward to a time
when. released from the restraints Of home
he will go forth into the busy world and
win him name among men. And who
wonders that the young laborer escapes
likes a prisoner from the parental roof,
and looks not back with the reverence
due to, home.
Who enlists his interest in the work he
performs? Who explains to him the strue-
ture and growth of the planthe cultivates
daily? Who shortens the hours of toll
by useful instruction. and awakeus in his
mind healthy desire for knowledge?-
Who teaches him to admire the flowers
that cluster in the waving grass. or to
love the sweet music of birds? Who ex-
plains to him the beautiful order Of ma
ture, add gives to his every faculty its
proper stimulus? Alas! too often, no onel
And the farmers home, on which smiles
so sweetly the star-lit heavens; around
which tie feathered songsters pour forth
their delicious music, and sweet perfumes
Of flowers float in the pure air; on which
rests quiet stiffness and peace unknown
in the busy town, often harbors discon.
teuted spirit. who looks upon his peaceful
retreat as a prison house.
O, that each young tiler of the soil
could have some friend to guide hisyoung
spirit! To turn his attention to the won
ders of nature tina: surround him on eve
~ side; to assist the inquiring mind in its
search for knowledge. and lay the foun
dation Of his future life Alright! Then the
farmer boy, though he may leave the pa.
rental roof, and win him name among
the great Of earth. will look back upon the
home Of his youth like the Swiss soldier
when in foreign lands, he hears his noun
tain song. with fearful eyes and a throb
bing heart.
o sturdy farmer! and matron of the
farm house! your only duties are not the
raising of pigs and beeves, or the growing
If grasses and grains. The minds of the
10Y who spends lis youthful days beneath
your roof demands attention. Let him
not dream through the long winter eve
aings by your freside, and toll uncheered
through the long days; rather enlist his
ympathy and interest in his work, aud
eek to direct Alright his active magma
Iion. Thus will you perform holy work
md minister to the waufs of a fellow he
ng. no less than he who puts bread in
the house Of the furnishing poor, or water
30 the parched lips Of the dying; nor will
YOU be the poorer for the effort. The
e altitude Of a manly heart will repa,
GU: For the joys OF home will not be to
aim, in after life, a name unknown.