Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1858-02-25

sional hints about the proper training of
children, and the advantages resulting
from cullivating their mental faculties
and moral powers Although he found
farmer Burrit and his wife rather dull
scholars, who with difficulty could look
beyond the narrow sphere in which they
had been educated, he was nevertheless
encouraged to give them line upon line.
and preccpt upon precept. Taking ad-
vantage of what he supposed favorable
opportunity, he engaged one day in the
following conversation
Neighbor Burrit, was thinking to-
day that you was one of oIr most sub
stantial and thriving farmers"
Thank you | am pretty we'll to do
in the world, but it is because work my
way. have no idle folks about me-"
" True, friend Burrit and it is COM
mendable in you; but you will excuse
me if say have felt some surprise that
you have not all the implements which a
good farmer should have"
Haven't though +? l guess if you
will look about, you'll find l have all l
need"
"Well, 1 have been looking about, and
/ have not found half-a- dozen books in
the house,
"Oh that's it /; but what do l want
of books What's the use of them ? !
guess they can't teach me farming
Your book farmers aren't worth much
always something new, and coming out
with short crops"
"Ah but, friend Burrit, books teach
many good and useful things beside far
ming and to tell you the truth, | really
think they would be useful to your child
rem, whom l know you love, and would
like to see little more intelligent than
your neighbors. Now, if you will spend
fifty dollars in good books, l will make
such selection as am sure will be in
structing to your children.
"Whew! fifty dollars laid out in books
why you must be joking"
"No, am not; never was more Sc
rious in nay life. My only motive for
suggesting it is the interest l feel in your
family and | will promise you that, if
at the end of six years you repent the
purchase, l will refund the fifty dollars,
with full interest for the whole time"
Farmer Burrit looked puzzled. He
respected his neighbor he knew him to
be good friend, and although he thought
the suggestion to be foolish one, yet he
was touched at the kind interest expressed
in his children. After silence of some
minutes, as if he knew not what to say,
he replied" Well, well, l will think oi
it,
A day or Two afterwards, the friend
visited the farmer, who said: q have
been thinking of what you said. and out
of respect to you there are the fifty dol
lars for the books it's foolish affair,
and wouldn't have it go abroad but. +"
added he, laughing A." I'll hold you to
your promise of paying principal and
interest at the end of six years. l 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 Burrts house
hold. The books were purchased. Be-
sides some good religious books, includ-
ing several biographies, he had selected
choice volume or two on agriculture
and gardening, several on general histo-
ry. and n natural history. few good
books of travels, and several other books,
some to entertain, and others to awaken
thought. In due time they were proper
ly disposed in a little case, and the kind
friend, already familiar with the children,
now carefully showed them how the
books were to be used, enticed them to
read, and even made them promise tc
spend some of their leisure time in find
ing out W hat the books contained. After
some difficulty. he got things into the
right train ; both girls and boys began tc
be Interested.
We pass over two years. The seed
had been sown-was there any prospec
of harvest? No one can pass Mr.. Bur.
rit's farm without percciving some i'm.
proyement. The external aspect of the
old homestead has more cheerful ant
comfortable appearance. Instead of tn,
Struggling and unsightly objects whicl
used to be seen aronnd the house, every
thing has tidy look. The grass il
growing. the towering shrubbery creep
up the walls and adorns the pathway, th'
vegetable garden is in better taste, tn
ornamental accompanies the useful, ant
gives evidence that the Youngsters of tn