The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-02-04

In the pasture were growing COW, yoke Of
oxen, some sheep and hogs, and the meadow
furnishing them winter food, constituted the
extent Of the farm. The individuals occupy
ing these premises were four in number: the
husband and father, man OF forty-fve years
OF age, substantial and noble looking--the
wife and mother, about forty years Of age,
with a ruddy, amiable countsnance, neat in
appearance and dignifed in her bearings
daughter about eighteen, above the medium
size, full habit, dark blue eyes, fiorid cheeks,
forehead indicating a predominance Of the
reflective, comparing, and ideal faculties a
disposition almost perfect, and an entire free
dom from all sf5ectation and vanity--and a
son, about fifteen years old, who even at this
age manifested high, manly qualities.
Such was the family that inhabited this
humble tenement at the period Of which we
are now writing. They did not own tieprem-
ises II was hired Of smother, apart Of the
products Of which was to pay the rent. About
thirty acres were titled BY the father and son.
whose reward was two thirds of all they Gould
produce. The fields furnished at this rate
abundance to supply the family with food.
and surplus to sell for such articles as they
conld not raise, and little money to deposit
for future contingencies. Being intelligent
they knew how to cultivate to the best advan-
tage. and being simple in style, it required no
large amount to support them. Their little
spot Of fax produced the essentials for Sum-
mer clothing, and the innocent lambs Of the
pasture gave them their feeces il Spring-time,
to furnish warmer garb for Winter. The
fax and the wool were manufactured by the
mother and daughter, and consequently they
had need of little they could not produce for
themselves. What more could they want to
complete their happinessp They had enough
to eat, drink and wear, without such excessive
toll as to render life burden. They were in
teligent upon all subjects. and possessed a
neat and well selected library from which they
daily replenished their store for thought
There were works OF science, history, meta
physics. religion and poetry, none of which
were suffered to sleep on dusty shelves, for
they afforded the family degree Of enjoy
ment that cannot be procured with wealth.
That noble father and mother were the best
teachers that daughter and son could possess
n Il even our high institutions OF learning could
furnish the educational advantages and enjoy
ment, they had at home. The father as he
labored in the field with his son. conversed
with him on important subjects and elevated
his mind TO the perception and love Of TRUTH
The very earth and stones at their feet posses
sed an absorbing interest; for, knowing that
he highest mountains bear on their hrows ev-
idence that they were once at the bottom of
the sea, they could not avoid kind Of rever-
ence for the soil they plowed and planted,
when rejecting that the sandy or selicioEs
portions of it were once the bed OF the sea,
the lakes or the rivers, and that its productive
portions are the remains of vegetation that has
grown and decaycd.
He was not ignorant in any branch OF sci
ence. and he inspired his hopeful son with an
ardent love for he study of nature 10 all her
wonderful displays. Thus they made Their
labors light; for the laws which prescribe q
nnion If physical and mental labor were obey.
ed. There was no depression Of spirits, OF
signs Of WEAKNESS with them; bnt on the con.
trary, they were constantly animated by en-.
livening and ennobling thoughts. The mother
TOO and her beautiful daughter. made their
household labors pleasant by the interchange
of thought and feeling which constitutes the
highest happiness Of the informed and refined
/ II was treat for any true individual to visit
that happy aboie, and see how little real en-
| joyment, is associated with larger possession
Ia moments OF leisure when the family were
together. kind Of spirit prevailed the cir
Gle, which could not fail to stir the kind emo
tons of any heart. There were health bloom.
ing countensnces constantly illuminated with
the light Of superior spirit, and there were
words Of eloquence, expressions Of the warm
est affection and glances that could not fail to
enkindle the holiest sympathies. To see a
father and mother Of ripe age and intelligence,
and daughter and son with sentiments be-
yond their years, and desiring nothiss but on
ward and upward progress in all that can dig
Nifty and purify the character, gives us a good
opinion OF human nature, and leads us to hope
that truer condition Of things will be realiz-
ed on earth.
The family Gid not enjoy much social init
macy with their wealthier neighbors either Of
town or country-they were acqusinted extern
sively, but their virtues could not be appreci-
ated through the veil OF poverty-a term which
the vulgar apply to all who cannot support os-
tentatious equippae ees-conseque the "first
circle" could not fellowship them. They
however. visited those who we're pleased to
see thsm-those Of humber class--and great
was the influence they exerted among them in
awakening their minds and teaching them to
aspire to something better and happier. Their
daughter obtained full sway over her associ-
ates BY the force Of her character and kiadness,
and short time made great difference in the
manners and habits Of the young people. The
son also gained the love and confidence Of his
companions, who conceived il desirable to copy
his example and endsavor to be as good as he.
They were not, however, neglected by ALL
the wealthy. They had not LIVED in their new
home many weeks before check OF one thou-
sand dollars was offered them, which they re-.
f,,sed ravincr fhev xvero or;te hnnrv evJ h.a