Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-03-03
Farming as a Vocation.

TIE life OF the farmer has ever been consd-
cred by himself, one Of toll and drudgerv, but
with how much reason, il may be well to ask.
10 Investigate, and 10 become satisfied. II is
the lot Of man in general to have an occupation
If not necessary for q living it is made a means
Of obtaining wealth, fame, or power. A few.
born - wealth Jr titles, pursue no calling but
that Of pleasure. Such lead miserable lives.
and 30 little OF NJ good in the world. 1t j.
appointed into all men 10 lrork 1t is ueces-
sary to health, strength, comfort, and happi-
ness. But 10 work, il is not necessary to guide
the plow or harrow, 20 WELD the axe or Scythe,
10 SOW or reap. There are other kinds ofwork,
equally laboriouS and fatiguing other occupa-
tiOnS more wearing TO the system, and attend
ed with less pleasure. In this country, there
are more men engaged in farming than in any
other occupation, and in the rural districts
they constitute large majority Of the iuhabi-
tantS, and, as consequence. see and know lit
tie Of the drudgery OF other occupations la
their visits 10 the mechanic or manufacturer
they see him sheltered from the storms aud
cold, then notice that bis skin il less tawn7. his
hands softer and whittier. and his clothes per-
bapS !eSs sciled aud torn and il is but natural
that they should think his labor less hard than
theirs. They see the merchant behind his
counter smiling TO his customers, or at his desk
counting bis money, and they cannot think he
Jrorks; anl they 20 away wishing that PrOvi
dence bad been a kind 10 them They see
the lawyer advocating the cause OF his client.
utterjng with eloQnence witty or grave senten-
ces bringing tears to the ewes. or laughter 10
the counteuances, Ofjudge, Jury, and spectators
and they 20 away, rep,njHg that the gifts OF
Providence are 50 partially bestowed. They see
not the mechanic at work by bis lamp while
farmers are reading by their fresides thev see
him not with his accounts, anxously looking
forward to the time when his paymeuts become
due, or his -four barrel empty. or his pork bar
rel oat : they see not the anxious and care
worn coRHtenance Of the merchant, while alone
in his Office, Just before his bank note becomfs
due and no money to meet it and thew see not
the lawyer IN the still holrs Of the night. with
aching head and wearied eyes, looking up an.
thorties to snstain his cause on the ere Of trial
Il ! thsy tBsuv'r,s-'As "a mgys-that hare
set the stamp Of drudycfy upon their occuDa-
ti0n. Nc one else admits or believes il. The
lawyer the doctor, the merchant, and the
mechanic, rnvy the farmer his farm aud his
happines$-his bread, butter. and cheese-his
'i--rr -----.|r ~A.t us aus ttiC taD44-L VI
his own labor. that he can eat with an appetite
saa-Te7ad by muscular exercise, aad knowing
that the! are pure and healthy. Ask the
mechanic what he Is STRIVING for, and what j
his aim. Frr q L7Ey. PIECE of land that |
can cultivate. and csl The fruits Of nv owa rai>-
ing the merchant VII tel yol that he hopes
to end BIS days upon farm and the lawyer
and dccto. will tell you the same What IL
their faces are blancbet while the farmer i
tawnF-their fingers delicate and supple. while
the former are dingy and c!nnsy-thair gar
men's iae and clcsa, while bis are soiled and
coarse Each Is appropriate and equaliy re
spectacle 4 chimney-sEeepin white linen. o.
a farmer 81 his pl0w in fine br0adcIo,h, wo1ld
be an object of riicue, equally with the LAWYER
10 rags More men make themselves ridiculous
by OTerdressiag than the reverse. Ii the far
ner has not delicacy, lie has strength, and
+ power OF eljaE2Lcc-far more valuable II
. be Is 10 educated and IrtCei. it IS DO f4ll, Of
MS CT .Ic- did be himself 20, ib.nk 50: IA
! 10 one has more leisure for reading and study