Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-08-05
LETTER FROM MISSOURI.

VANDALIA, Mo, July y, 1876
We last left our thread of events here. and here
it continues to away from dalies and seeming
ly away from the world We might almost for
get our existence were we not made conscious by
the heat and cool weather. The heated term was
thought to be passed, but to-day it came back
loaded with more fire than we have seen since our
| stay in Boston. nice shower in the afternoon
cooled us off a little.
| 1t is otherwise delightful being with ones own
| kindred, where nature has done so much Their
! kindnesses are appreciated. Vegetation is luxu-
RANT, fields green and covered with their rich pro-
ducts, forests loaded with dense foliage, orchards
budding with their loads Of fruit, vine and bush
producing the most tempting berries, all make this
western country beautiful to the lover of nature
1t has its draw backs, hard work, low prices, and
| not many comforts. Your eastern housewife
| would fret her life out, worry her lords out
should she find her home in Maine no better cal
| culated for convenience than majority Of these
! here. Yet why our eastern people, who have left
there, should be contented with what they have
here is a mystery to some. Most farm houses
boast of two or three small rooms WITHOUT sink or
or cupboard privileges box Or any thing being i'm
|
same scanty piece. The farmer has the most
abundant room for his tools and stock, the broad
prairie, or wood lot. He rides in his farm wagon
to church or market, and is hail fellow we'll met
with all men. He is free and easy, yet sharp as
brier in trade. Well he may be, for in this lies
chief source of prosperity. He drives good bar
gain in his business. You are welcome to his
bed and board without any excuse on his part
| There seem to be two reasons for contentment
in their homes. Haste in settling, shelter so as to
make crop. and all the world around him live in
this simple method The last has much to do with
making ones lot bearable. Neighbor has fine
new house. how our old one does look, etc., etc.
Old settled places may run too far for looks. The
westerner is at the other extreme He prides him
self in his fine herds Of stock, and shows them
with pride His main idea in cattle is, the most
| beef, in horse his drawing power and endurance,
in mule, his size, in a sheep, his wool, and in
hog his fattenning qualities. He finds that the
best thoroughbred breeds are most profitable.
The crop prospect has materially changed since
our last. The weather is warm and comparative
" dry. Farmers who thought their corn not
worth tending few weeks since, now see more
than an average yield. The small grain such as
oats are light and some fields are not harvested.
The crop prospect is watched as closely by all pro-
LESSONS as by the farmer, for when the promise is
bad farmers buy sparingly, good, they are liberal
and so on.
| Political news rather quiet The democrats had
their state convention week since and nominal
| ed q somewhat obscure man by the name of Wills.
1t does well enough as their is no hope of carry
| ing the State by republicans. Probably the re-
publicans will not nominate any one yet will keep
up their usual party work for Hayes and Wheeler.
| w.