Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-07-31
The Gift of Good Judgment.

In casting oar eyes over the community,
we see not only great variety in human
faces and habits, but also an equal variety
in the success to which different people ar
rive in the business Of life.
Let two young men engage, either in
trade, agriculture or mechanics, and one
will yacillate continually between prosperi-
ty and adversely, while the other will stead
lily advance toward an honorable eonpeten-
cy, which seems Of its. own accord to come
forward to meet him. Now, why is this
The chisel Of chance does not sculpture
50 many models Of success, neither can the
power OF mere circumstances prevail in so
many instances. | refer it to the gift Of
judgment.
/ know man who began life without a
dollar or dollars worth Of anything He
rented farm, wentin debt TO stock it, and
what was the result?
He paid his rent, and something on the
stock the first year. Notwithstanding the
fluetuating crops aud huctuating prices, he
went ahead and now, in the PRIME OF mid
die life, he owns free and clear all the stock
and utensils Of extensive operation, and al
though still on a rented farm he has money
enough to buy one when he sees fit.
What is the secret OF this mans success Z
It is not mere hard work. He is an indus
trious, but not hard working man. Be-
ing near neighbor Of mine, know how it
is And say that the secret Of his being
able to pay six hundred dollars a year rent
for two hundred acres Of land, and get IN
dependent at it, is in consequence Of his
good, thoughtful management.
The evening before, he plans out the
work Of the next day, and alots TO each
man his share Of it. The eyes Of his body
and the eyes Of his mind are intently fixed
on his farm, stopping up holes through
which sixpences are leaking, and opening
up fountains through which dollars are
springing.
lie has stables for his cattle, and cutters
on his buildings. He sows grass-see4 like
spendthrift, and saves manure like a mi
ser. And | must not forget to say that
his wife is as good in the house as he is on
the farm. She is not only a help meet, but
also help milk.
urge farmers and mechanics to do moth
ing without thinking. There Is not one
man out Of three in any department Of life
who does as well as he knows how. A
habituaI calm reflection would suggest an
improvement.
In the rotation Of crops, the preparation
of land, the division of fields, selection Of
seed, and a thousand etceteras, the farmer
has need of the closest reflection.
In certain quarters the idea is somewhat
prevalent that agriculture Is dull routine
If mere bodily toll. That farmer should
have a Ii .ad is necessary to support his hat,
but whether there be any brains inside, is
in some quarters thought to be quite an
unimportant matter This is great mis-
take. Nature must have thought them
necessary. or she would not have bestowed
them.
Take farm Of one hundred acres, and
on it you may find every variety Of soil
clay, peat, gravel, loan and sand Now,
each of these soils requires different treat
menL ana ulilefenG llahlfes. ~ gig
one say there is not room here for ths ex-
ercse Of Judgment There is a sorld Of
roofn And what is more, its steady ex-
ercisc viii make vast difference in the
farmers balance sheet at the end OF the
year.
Io! every one that ieadeth these lines
farmer. merchant, professional Or trades
man-stop, think. Do nothing without
thinking-take not step--eat not a nor
seI-speak not word-do not deed
without the exercise Of thy best guide and
thy richest treasure-good judgment and
common sense.
II. ~. BEEcHER.