Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1872-06-08
Gaoiss department.


DittCS, 10 tullllcu W lOO dCTtS Vi lduu ny
taking possession of the same, and settling
on it, paying only the small fee of SIS.
Unmarried women and widows are entitled
to the privileges of this law. have lived in
Oregon, in the heart of the country, over 20
years, and know what fine thing it is for
women to own land in their own right and
title. | was one of those fortunate women
who held 800 acres under the donation act
Of 1851, moved by Samuel r. Thurston. l
know how the mothers who own land build
beautiful homes for themselves and children.
What queens they reign in their own dom-
ellis Let me give you an illustration of how
this works. An honest blacksmith and his
wife, with family of children, took dona-
ton claim, part of it hill-land and part val
ley, with beautiful stream of water flowing
through it, and one of the finest springs bub-
bling out of the hill-side-prairie and fine
timber; in fact, a very desirable locality.
The boys and girls grew to manhood and
womanhood, married and settled on farms of
their own, following the example of their
worthy parents. The old farmer was thrift
ty and Industrious, and soon had large herds
Of cattle and horses, with an extensive tract
Of land under cultivation. He built fine
country residence, and
Ground about 1t orchards sweep
Apple and peach-trees fruited deep"
He was fine old gentleman, and must
have been " learned blacksmith )" for l
know he was one Of the trainers of the con.
stitution Of our state. A few years ago the
old man died, leaving a will, in which he
provided amply for his children, giving a
large share of his property to his wife, to be
disposed of as she chose at her death. The
old lady sits there in her easy-chair, ruling
with firm though gentle sway-a queen in
her own household. She owns the land and
her daughters and men-grown sons know it.
and pay all the Difference due to an aged
mother. | have heard them say, Mother,
are you going to use your carriage and hors-
es to-day? l would like to take a drive. -
She is not tossed about as many women are
in their old age, to find home in the family
of sons and daughters, who consider the old
lady burden, and shift her from one to an
other, until at last she is glad to find refuge
in an almshouse. Think Of this dear girls,
before the roseate glow of youth and beauty
has faded from your cheeks. And you, my
noble young brothers, glorying in the tower
ing strength of manhood, think what it is to
lay the foundation of future homes, on your
own land. Build towns and start enterprises
that will eventually erect fourishing Cities
where you will be your own masters, and
block out your own future instead of being
underings or hirelngs, doing the bidding of
some other man. where, if by accident, sick
ness or misfortune of any kind, you lose one
days wages, you are ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, who
must feed on the bitter bread of charity
And every man or woman who has energy
enough to get out of great city, is doing
a three-fold act of benevolence- setting a
good example for others to follow; leaving
room for those behind carving out path
way of prosperity and plenty for themselves.
Why, they may remain in the city forever,
working for daily wages, economizing, schem-
ing, planning, and not save enough to buy
themselves homes, or leave a competency for
their children. We don't expect men, or
women either, to 60 West and live in so
lated homes we want them to 60 in crowds,
in car-loads-people of every trade and oc-