Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-02-13
For the VERMONT FARMER.
IF NY GIRLS HAD BEEN BOYS.

John, have you read this article in tn,
last paper, giving some Of the reasons why
our young men desert agriculture? HI
gives as the principle reason the lack o.
money on the farm. But / think if the
writer had been at Uncle Jones' yesterday
he would have thought of some other rea.
sons why they forsake the farm homes, and
the occupation altogether
Bessie, what else can there be but the
money chain that tightens or oosens around
man, either to keep him or set him flying
around the world 2"
know that money means great deal
where it is worshipped, as it is in America,
but there are other things that have their
meaning too Now at Uncle Jones there is
Amos, almost of age, old enough to be a
young man, yet he is not, nor likely to be.
1t is Amos do this and he doeth it, do
that aud he doeth that also. And every
body knows him to be a very careful boy,
but it he presumes to want to 60 anywhere,
he must preface it with may II You may
say what you please about the prOpriety Of
it, it comes rather hard TO young-men boys,
to feel they are not their own in the small
est particular. And every time that may
L IS repeated, just so often are the days re-
counted between their minority and the
time when they can claim themselves, if
nothing more"
al don't think Uncle Jones is as hard on
his boys as you make it appear"
"You know, John, this much that | have
said is true. | don't want you to believe
anything but the truth. Then again it is,
Amos, you may do up the chores tonight,
am so tired land there are not few to
do there,) or, there ought to be some corn
shelled this evening; we can't afford to take
daytime for it : not considering that his son
had done his days work as well as himself y
"Mr. Jones is getting old, you must con.
sider.n
THAT is what | am considering, and
that he will be left alone, l fear. And,
Amos is getting young; he needs bis eve
'nings, his company, plays, &C., and if he
can't have a reasonable share now, he will
take them by and by like his scape-grace Of
a brother Will. He said he would get out
Of the sight of any land, SO went to sea,
and has not been good for anything since
He was very hard working boy at home,
but there had to be a reaction All of
Uncle's boys have left him but this one, and
none of them farmers and l can see that
Amos is shutting his mouth a little tighter,
and growing less cheerful and more discon.
tented every year.
alt was just so with the others | used
ia hnv rhnr, 1 -, Al g
sewing: it was not driving them so very
hard, but all Of the time"
II am afraid, Bessie, if we had some
boys of our own you wouldn't let them
work any,"
mot that, but if my girls had been boys,
| would see if they could not have their
rights talk Of women's rights, rather
girls rights,-they generally take what few
there are going). People should know that
boys could grow up and love their farm
home. They should have their work, and
plays, and place in their home. Though
it should not be above the parents it should
be theirs They should have thoughts,
children always have them, whether parents
are aware Of it or not,) aud minds Of their
own to use every day, and room enough at
home to use them"
GLOW would you like TO have children
ruling around like Mr.. Bancroft's boys ?"
THAT is the other extreme. He allows
them to run over him or whatever else they
like. | want to see parents take the long
ends Of the work aud the disagreeable ends,
except calling upon the children to do them
enough to make them think they are doing
their share. Young people will work hard
and fast for while, but they want to see
the end by and by. They will do two days
work in one if there is any prospect of see
ing the last Of it. They will have to take
the heavy burdens of the day soon enough,
so let them have their youth time while they
can"
EARN work is like womans work, never
done but this mustn't always DO held up
before the children, or surely they will get
away from it as soon as possible"
"You used to know old Eldred, Bessie
Us his name so was he. | acknowledge he
was too hard and severe. His boys would
as soon live in graveyard now, as in the
old home. They offer him place with
them, but they will not live there with him,
aud | never could blame them much"
"Yes, and they say he sits by his old
open fireplace with nc one to weave his sto-
ries but the spiders in the corner, and the
cIeak Of the crickets for coincidence. lie
does not seem to like the company Of his
hired help, any more than they like his, 50
he sits alone, and listens to the wind as it
circles around the house, now with rap tap
On the window pane, then with a shrek in
the outer rooms which goes echoing through
The opposite part Of the house, then peering
down the old chimney with a whistle and a
groan--and away, leaving il still again.
poor old man,-too still - X.Y.X
East Berkshire, VI.