Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1877-09-20
One Man Satisfied,
chronological Jomual.1

! One bright and beautiful morning in
July last. we met with a strange phenOmc-
mona man who says he is thoroughly
satisfied with life in all its phases. And to
emphasize this opinion of his. he enthusias-
tically declares that if he could enter the
spirit world as if lie never had been born.
yet knew precisely what he knows now of
earth, having lived upon it tifty-seven
years, and We're consulted by the Creator
on the subject. and il it were proposed to
him to be born into life on earth to live
sixty years, and the question were left to
his choice in all respects, he would say,
~ will be born in the nineteenth century,
In lS2O.' Ifquestioned as to what part OF
the world he would be born in, he would
say, lin the United States of America"
lfasked in what part Of the United States,
he would instantly reply, ''Connectic,t."
Ii asked what Part of the State, his reply
would be, "ln New London County,"
''NO other time since the world began
has there been such time in which to be
born and live rs the nineteenth century.
The civilization of past ages has been
working out results to make possible the
steamboat. the magnetic telegraph, photo
graphy, the power loom. the sewing-ma-
chine, shorthand writing. railroads. the
lightning printing press, and all the Won
dertiil achievements which have culininat-
Ell in the United States since this century
began. | would not have come into life
earlier than did, because the highest and
best conditions of the country had not
the wilderness Of the continent. and made
it to he Il desirable abode for men: thew
had established u free government with
few blemishes; they had fought the battle
against the despOtism of the old world and
won the victory; they had achieved for
themselves and their children an inherit
ance which made the civilization and the
liberty of the day possible: and during this |
present century and in this precious coun-
try. under these blessed auspices. men have
the highest and best opportunities for in
dividtlai development and culture, for the /
enjoyment of the largest freedom for the
largest number. ard the general morality .
which makes life desirable.
"Whoeyer is living hundred wears hence
Will find this country so greatly changed
that one might almost as well live in China.
The rich will have become richer and the
poor poorer; population will have in
creased so as to make the country crowd
h. am entirely satisfied with NV life. l.
nave had one aim in it, namely, ALWAYS to
10 the best possibly could; to aim at the
light under all circumstances: and, though
occasionally miss it. my aim is honest
md my conscience approves my efforts. |
nope there is a life to come; l expect it:
md if the future life is half as good as this 5
life has been to Inc, shall be satisfied. I l
IN satisfied with this; hope to be salts '
led with the future. would not change.
had my Life to live over again, one ,
hasc oft. l might use more wisely some e
fmy opportunities, but the surroundings
ihich have had have been the best. and {
would be willing to GO over il: and
-ould not ask to have any phase of it al
red to accommodate me. Ifmy expert a
ice would enable me to make hetter uS..
t my opportunities than | have done in a
10 past, that would enhance nv banniness
} much the more. Here | ann thnnkinm -,
Od for what have had the opportlnitTT r
r knowing. and doing. and btino. rt- p'
icing in the good which life has y;ejd- co
to me, and, as have said, shall be sot- ",
led if the world to come is half IA Good ",
this ra