Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-05-26
University OF Vermont and State Agricultural
College.
From the Vern ont FlrIne-
40. II.

Returning 10 the topic discussed in my
last letter. the education OF Farmers sons.
will tranScribe, by permission Of the writer,
a letter showing how some Of the boys
themselves look at this matter. This young
man had been for some time preparing to
take a course IN the agricultural depart
ment.
Ds1r Sir am very sorry to be obi -ed to in
form yuu mat must : We up my plan " -0n.
throug "a college. Until lew DAYS a.o ny father
had seemed willing that should get an education,
uut uus he tells ne that in ms opinion education
does not paw that education does not make the
mau. etc lie says that u ! want u 70 T. a G. m
mercIal college next winter, may 20. cannot
tel YOU how disappointed ! am. My father is well
III ie has a good farm and other property which
suppose vii sometime come 10 me as an MS
only child. BGt t seems rather hard that cannot
have the use 20. some az II now when need it more
than shall then. Ny only consolation j. that Ia
a .ew years shall be otags and then can paddle
my own canoe
Yours truly
F. $ Ny iathcr has recently been talking OF
hu|din- barn % cost 1870. lie admits that one
costing : would answer every purpose, except
that 10 would not make as much show. Fifteen hun
cred dollars O. blid q barn not much, hut the
same INT expended 70 educating his son would
mike hun feel poUr.
Th.s j. by no means a solitary case. Il
is representative OF large class Whether
this young man viii perscyere IN his inten-
tiou remains to be seen. but during Il twenty
year~' connection with this college, have
never known a term when we had not men
who were compelled to wait for their educa-
ton TIL they lad the legal right to their
own time Tins. a. the yuung man says. l.
" rather hard. because tleage for learning
some things l. then hOpeless!y gone ty |
know that many fathers are Obliged 10 say
to their ~1n-, | would gladly help You II
good cducatlon Il had the means, but
have not. and You must work 1t out for
yourselves IN the best way You eau" Such
fathers We can respect. and such boys. in
spite OF their disadvantages, often become
tie foremost men IN college and in the
world. But It Is hard 10 restrain ones in
q gnatl0n 1t the father who, out Of hi am
pie resources, denies 10 MS son the means If
acq airing all education for which he j.
and pininr. One cannot but re-
call the words OF our Great Teacher rebuk-
ing those who shut tue door OF knowledge
against them that would 20 in.
Inl- father represents one class Of Yer
mont ilrmcF--let Il, hope small class |
know another farmer who represents DIFF |
ierent clas.-l hope larger one, and may |
bis tribe increase This man has often SAID /
to me-and | want u take off my hat to /
hin when he says IL had no advantages |
or education IN Iuy youth, bat the lack Of |
1 has 50 crampcd me and kept me down,
hat | am determined to give my children |
ne best advantages that my labor can buy
or them. And he does not stop with his
iwn children. suppose that at this mo-
nent the money due 10 him from boys whom
lie has helped, OF Is helping. through this
'o.lege. amounts 10 thousands Of dollars. |
- again, may his tribe increase
NJ Ii. BUCKuA4.