Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-11-05
From The Nen EngltRd Farmer.
FARMING VERSUS SPECULATlNG.
BY II. 4. DWIGHT.

by II. \. DWlGllT
William and James Benson were brothers, |
living in one of the beautiful towns situated on
the banks Of the Connecticut. BY occupation, |
they were farmers, and as such, for several
years, made successful progress in life adding
something every year to their means, either in
the extent Of their farms, or to the amount of
their bank stock. William, the elder of the
two brothers. was of more contcnted, or less
aspiring mind than his brother James. The
latter was always fixing his eyes on some one
richer than himself, and casting in his mind
how this man became so. If he found, that it
was by some sudden turn of fortune. or by spec
ulation, he cnyied him, and desired to initiate
him in some similar adventure. William, on
the other hand, attended to his own business
exclusively, being willing that others should en-
gage in manufacturing, gold mining, or spccu-
lation, or any thing else that came to hand. 1t
was enough for him that he was doing ceii-to
do better, that is, out of his ordinary way, he
regarded as hazardous-hazardous for him.
James, however, didn't agree with him. 10Th
cr men could SpccUi1te and become rich" he
said. land why couldn't he?'
Hence he said to William "You are doing
nothing here, and so am let us sell ont, and
20 West"
Not l." said Williams "my Hothjng. as you
''Na ~ "'' "'"'N W N'''''''N''''N 80 - 'N'
years"
"Ncry little" said James. compared with
what they do out West. The farmer there
makes more in one year, than YOU will in ten :"
"And how does he make il ~
"By speculation
80, then YOU think of >pcculnting?'
ayes; this slow. duh way of making prog
rcss in the world doesn't suit my taste, | can
assure you.'
"And do you think that YOU were madc for
spcculating?"
"NIlde for it What do YOU mean by that !?
Are rot all men mdie alike"
NO. Some have turn for one thing, and
some for another"
Il should think it was an easy thing enough
to speculate Do you think that couldn't
make good bargain? Why, never made
any other, did ?"
''You have never left your legitimate busi-
ness"
Indeed no, haven't. You are right. |
have always stuck to this dry, old business of
farming and it is pity that have, for if had
gone to the West ten years ago, | should have
been wealthy man"
"You might have been, but doubt it,
"Why so ?"
because don't think that you have the tact
to speculate. Some people haye-but haven't
and hardly think that you have. To spccu-
late successfully requires a long head
'Not so long a one as farming III New Eng
land does. to make money by it,"
And what are You going to do with youi
farm -
"Sell it,"
"liow9"
"By auction, if can't get rid Of it any othei
way, and doubt if can, for who wants farm
ON the banks of the Connecticut -
"Of course. You will have to sell at less THAI
the true value of the farm
81 expect to do that-but with the money,
f can soon realize twice the loss ON it -
, POSSIBLY you can. have my doubts, how
, ever
80, you are a great skeptic. Don't hun
dredS 90 ont to the West, and double thei
money in short time?"
| 81 cannot deny that they do not-but yor
= must remember that while one man can max
@ money by speculating, another may lose it. In
{ deed, of all the spectators that have eve
{ known, never knew one that was successful /
h the Tong run. They might 20 on well for
Q number of years, and yet they would, at las
!, become so involved in their business-so con
5 pletely mo,icd, | might say, that there was II
c mtangliIg them. and neither they, nor any on
c else, save lawyer, could tell whether the
is were worth anything or not and you know,
every body else does, that if there is a lawy,
is about, he is apt to get the game, and leave Il
Il other parties minUS."
st "Pshaw you are always throwing cold watt
e upon ereIy thing,
,f "Cold water is fine thing brother. whe
It there is too much fire and of such you certai
D. " have too much that is to say, you ha'
D more zeal than discretion"
Is so you think, doutStess, but anu going al
,r way"
lie Il presume so but let me make a propo'
s. ton to YOU, for since you are so much dispos
a. to speculate, and since you are my brother t.
I'd If you will set a value upon your farm, W
m buy it." .u, What, t,,,., ,,,.., -, III. -,
I'd worn.out land ?'
n, 80 will run the risk of that. can ca
is " make it productive; for, if you, who disli
a it, make it profitable, !, who IKE it. can make
to more profitable still. Besides, wish to buy
W. for another reason. After you have tried yo
ms luck at the West, and get sick of it, | want
se place to put you in, when you come back
ng really, | should dislike to see you thrown up
tn the town"
~ sis it possible, brother, that you can talk S
of However, you are very kind, and will sell {
les to YOU. As to the future, when | return,
ew shall not be to that old place, assuse you, |
nc- upon the town, either"
in 81 hope not, and yet richer men than y
ed have gone to the almshouse.'
SO William bought James's farm, giving h
at the full yalue.much more, indeed, than
ice would have brought at auction-doing it, he
jOr ever in order partly to give him fair ST.
red and partly to have lodgment for him after
ELI return from the West; for notwithstanding
cts brothers confidence in his success, he presun
ou- on his failing of it for in speculation he
our but little faitn in his brothers tact for it.
leir James, according to his intentions after
be ranging his affairs with as much dispatch
his possible began to speculate, Immediately a
the his arrival in the golden West. First he bou
and a farm which had been sold for the fifth tim
an ten years, and every time at an advance {
nee thousand dollars or more-or so it was rel
can sented to him-and which in two years N
Dor was to be worth thousand or two more.
'uld \ glorious prospect now awaited James,
he thought for the first year he was to m