Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-07-14
THE INFLUENCE OF AREIARK.

>
Western States. He was coarse and |
Ignorant man, but very energetic, and en-
tlrely devoted to the acquisitioa Of proper
ty. lie had been very poor, aad felt that
| wealth constituted the greatest . ali earth
Iy blessings. He had never enjoyed any
| Of the advantages of education, and was
perfectly unconscious of the value Of
cultivated mind. His wild aad rustic
home vas carved out of the wilderness,
where ne was surrounded by those hardy
pioneers who knew of no employment but
toll. Rich harvests began to wave upon
his Well-t'lled and fertile acres. His barns
were filled with plenty; cattle accumulated
IL his pastures his plain bur substatcal
dwelling was provided with all lonely com
forts he became man of wealth. He
had an only child, q daughter, whom he
loved with the instructive love Of one who
knew nothing Of the refnements Of afTec-
ton, but who feels proud of possessing
One winters evening, as tic sleet was
drifting over the bleak plaios, and the
wind whisting around his Tpdows, two
strangers, from different DIRECTIONS, sought
a nights hospitality beneath the roof Of
the rich OLD farmer. One vas a Young
adventurer, penniless and almos. friend
less, seeking his fortune in the boundless
West. The other was an intelligent middle
aged gentleman of wealth fren the East.
travelling on business connscted with an
important speculation in which he was
about to embark. The fire. Of large loas
Of wood, blazed brightly on the hearth -
The hardy old farmer, blessed with the
vigoi which the health of sixsy years con-
ters, sat by his kitchen freside smoking
his pipe, now and then exchanging word
with the strangers, neither pf wnom seem
ed disposed to sociability. The farmers
wife aad his rnstie. -.sl>.-
lsices to hang In festoons to dry from the
poles suspended from the walls. The wife
was engaged in knitting-that employ
uent which seems to be the heaven-ccn-
ferred solace and blessing for the aged and
for the infirm.
A half hour of perfect silence had elaps-
ed, during which the two strangers seemed
entirely absorbed in their own thoughts,
when the middle>aged gentleman sudden
ly reused himself from his revery, and
turning his eye to the maiden, inqured--
" Is this your only daughter my friend!'
"Yes," replied the farmer, " she Is my
only child"
Indeed" {: was the reply. As you seen
to be blessed with all the comforts Of life
I suppose you mean to give her very per
feet education"
Not l." the farmer rejoined, " Iueve
had any education myself, aud [ do DC
believe it will do her auy good. [ meas
leave her money, so that she will nos haV
to work as bard as her poor father an
mother have been compelled to do. None
y is the best friend one can have IL such
, world as this"
+ /: | think you are wrong, there" Il
= geutlenan replied. " also have an on
, friend and an only child. She Is Of abo
e the same age with yours, but I mean
- give her as perfect an education as mon'
q can give, and as she has capacity to recoiV
O. A good education is something which Z
% Que but God can take from her.
e All reIapsed again into their former 5
- ience But there was something IN t
- terseness of the expression, " Il good ed
h cctton IS something which none bat G
pr can take from her, which struck, with ?
h ,cul;ar force, the mind of the young man.
He repeated the words again and again.
"a He pondered their weighty import. IL
- became engraven upon his memory
en- characters never to be etfaced.
1e child to whom he could leave the fri
ho Of his toisoue aud successful life.
ke The night passed away. The morn
el- dawned. The cold rays of winters
eiistened upon the wide and cheerIess
nd pause of snow. After breakfast in
of warm kitchen Of the farmer, the TWO stl
ch gers separated, each to go on bis owo v
ed They never met again. But the rem
NO which had fallen upon the ear of the 70
ith man, had awakened houghts which II
ion were to be forgotten !" 4 good educ3
md IS something which 40 one Bat God
ya- toke from her,
Years with their changes rolled oG.
J. to young man, en'erprisiDg and energetic
me found him home, and group of br
ban and happy children we're clustered a
I'M. his comfortable ireside. When be re-
1ers ed his frst-born son to bis arms, he
the This child is given to nc to educate
and god education is something whict !,
IS Of Du5 G0d can take from hin" His
inbibed his spirit And as one aftel
.uch other vas added to the ,aumber sf