The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-31

In obtaining a proper direction of mental de-
veIopement and an expansive and liberal view
Of things, the intellectual habits and noble
sentiments Of his parents, weHlof inconceiva-
BILE benefit. His mother was pte OF those true
matrons, who in their attenti}l to the children
OF their care seem by every ~ by every look,
BY every word and smile to hsite their young
spirits in an upward tendency His tasher, too,
was a man of reflection, anddelighted to give
his son high conceptions the world, the
Creator and the destiny Of ban. He Impress
ed upon his young mind ti great end OF hu-
man life, and inspired hilS with the cheering
hope that the time drawet nigh when all evil
shall cease and happinesshll the earth as the
waters the sen.
With these explanatiofslthe reader Will not
wonder that great thongfti early occuped the
attention Of Arthur Harrbf.
When he frst entered Je academy he had
something OF the rough jterior Of the farmer,
and was Stunned by the fistocratic students
whose minds did not ldot below the surface
Of things. He, howeveG (hw their failing, and
d
being aware of the undngeniality that must
nee ecessarily exist betwkn them and him, pre-
fercd the quietude of own study, and the
company OF his own n rfections. He accord
ing applied himself tohis books, feeling that
brilliant success was hluisite to overcome the
preiudices against hi,5 and that respect must
be forced by genius rom those reluctant to
Weld It. But shot period elapsed before
he DID force respecti for he took his place in
classes far in advanckof him, bat, like mets.
or darted by leaving tam eclipsed BY his shad
ow. Snch was his itecess in every effort,
and su ch the high kand he took, that those
who had been the l{diGg spirits of the institu-
ton were glad to Al His assistance.
Young Harold bot confne his attention
alone 10 his acadedcal duties. Books did not
afford him his hobc y attaiaments-he regard
ed them in their trt light, as only aids to men
tai development. ifact, he did not consider
application to thef worthy the appelafion Of
study, regarding tloaophical enquiry and
earnest m.ditatiolfd the great things that fiji
earth aud heaven stne worthy Of the title
Accordingly, he dated morning and even
| ing hour in walkinHout amid the inspiring
scenery Of nature TT stretched far away in
of the rear of the aSdemy, that, undisturbed
he might pursue . tan Of improving thought.
The academy waalocated on a magnificent
site. On the north GAS neat and quiet town
on the south and Fest were extensive and
fruitful fields clothA in all the gorgeous array
OF eariy Summer, Vile on the east were for
ests, aud hills, Sah croggy sleeps, valleys
flowing streams al gurgling brooks. This
was fortunate pfSpect 10 direct the miAd oi
the stndent, and b, who adored nature in her
calmest or wildes moods, could feel the true
spirit Of poetry en- ispldling his soul while roam
ling through the wbdIand, tracing the brooks
as they ripple elheir pebbly beds, and look
| ing down from " hill tops upon the clear
waters Of the lake
Such was thefenery amid which young
Harold loved tobend a morning hour, while
the dew-drops yssparkled in the early light
aud when all wavocal with the joyous ca.
dences Of Natu3s choir, for then he shared
the general baSancy. But after the studies
| of the day, Widths thcghts took more So
Der turn, and lh3was just melancholy enough
70 be spiritual, I loved to spend there the twi.
light hour wke lxli is hushed in silence, and
the shade Of s5uing is gently mantling ths
prospect:-
Tn auchla ,&ee ma thls af N, ch an hour