Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1871-07-08
Eaoies department.
FIXED PRINCIPLES.


- Susan" said my brother Rensselaer,
the other evening, after we had said good
bye to Dick not two hours before, 81 can't
tell you how easy | feel about Dick.
| wish was as sure of all the rest of my
boys. It's not because he's such good boy
they are all that. But years ago, when u
mere lad, he seemed to settle the great ques-
tions of right and wrong, and do not be-
lieve the fires of the stake would move him
to commit mean, dishonest or pernicious
act. And yet know that he has many Il
fierce conflict with temptations; but he will
not daily with evil. He will avoid the tempt
er when he can, and has manhood enough to
resist him, when he cannot. He learned
very young the art of self-government, and
often puts me to shame by his strict adher-
ence to principle. | expected he would chew
and smoke, because did, but when he was
fifteen years old, he came to me one day.
telling me that some of his mates wanted
HIM to try tobacco. viii it do me any good
father? he asked. NO. Dick said |, its II
very useless habit win it do me any
harmy Yes, it is bad for your health, soils
your teeth and mouth, and will be very an
noying to your mother and sisters Does it
cost mucl?' Not much for day. but in the
long run great deal. Why, I've smoked
and chewed up money enough to buy you n
farm Should be any more ola man for
doing either, father?' NO, indeed, my son.
True manliness is shown in those habits
which conduce to health, cleanliness. self
control, the right use of money and appro-
pirate regard for the feelings of others why
doyou smoke, fatherg said he after thought
full pause. Sue, that was II poser. Why, in
deed9 If were to say, because | like it.,
that would be admitting to my boy that |
was governed by mere animal instinct or
passion, instead of principle. So / thought,
and choked, and wiped my eyes, and finally
threw away my pipe; and giving Dick my
hand, cried, with Gods help and yours, my
son, never will again Dick look pleased
enough; and being thoroughly convinced
now, it was the last of tobacco in our house.
commenced laying by every week the
amount hitherto spent in tobacco, which to
my establishment amounted TO S75 ut the end
of the year. To this added double, for what
Dick might have spent, if he had chosen to
go that road, and the day he was twenty-one
| put 5000 in his hands as the result. 1t has
been the same way with all other serious
questions, whether of habits, amusements,
or belief. There has ever been an earnest,
honest inquiry as to what was right and best,
both for himself and others, and then fixed
determination to do it ut all hazards Lqu-
ors have no temptation to him, because he
believes them injurious, and he thinks it I'M
manly to indulge in that which will obscure
his intellect and weaken his powers of self
control. He values his time and money too
much to play ut games of chance, and says
he cannot afford to soil his mind with the
impurities of the stage, although he enjoys a
fine theatrical play with rare appreciation
So when he came to me last winter, and
said, God has been so good to me, father,
that | want to live to please Him; am 60
ing to enlist under His banner felt that
the great problems of life were solved fol
my Dick, and that need have no more fears
for him, because he was grit with invinciblt
armOr."