The Portland daily press., 1878-05-27
AGRICULTURAL.
Uncle Joe's Talk with the Boys

/ would speak an earnest word 10 those
boys who are thinking of leaving home. You
are anxious to push out for themselves. In
many instances there are younger brothers in
the family, and you think the farm hardly
large enough for all. Those who live in the
East are anxious to go West. and those who
live in what is termed the West desire to 60
still farther toward the setting sun. At any
rate, as you look at it, it seems desirable in Or
der to succeed that you get as far as possible
away from ihome. Ne doubt many young
men have done as well, If not better, by cast
ing themselves among strangers; they have
worked harder and denied themselves more
than they would have done at home. But it
is very important step, and one which will
pay you TO look all over before you take it. If
you intend to 60 among friends of your fam.
lily, or with company of your townspeople, it
will make it much better; but to start out
alone, and throw yourself among strangers in
different state, is "a hard row to hoe" 1t is
true you may be successful, but the chances
are all against you, and it is quite likely that
You will hear the cry of 'hard times" no
matter which road you travel. Taking it all
in all, as things stand now, there is little diff
erence in favor of one part of the country over
another.
The man who works an Eastern farm will
have many days of hard labor, in the course
Of the year, on land that don't yield much !;
but on the other hand he has good market,
and can sell at fair price all from the farm
he wishes to sell; he will live as well and his
home will be as pleasant and well furnished
as that of the Western farmer; the chan ces
OF his children getting good education are
as fair, If not better, than in MANY parts of
the West. The only advantage there seems
to be is that if you have a little money left
when you are at your journeys end, and
lxx.xr 80 nfra &c
with it than al the East. But If you have no
money, and must go to work for anyone
who will hire your time, you will find that in
order to get into the condition you wish to
he will require much hard work and self
denial. And when, in future years, you
visit your old home, you may be likely to find
that those of your early companions who re-
manned there have done about as well, and
somehow, you will be apt to think, have
Jared a little better. Doubtless much of this
changing about" in our country is owing in
a great measure to our restless disposition,
Mr.. Greeley remarked, while making his
overland journey to California, as he passed
many emigrants coming back, that he did
not think there was another such restless,
uneasy people on the face of the globe.
To the boy who has become dissatisfied
with his home and its wholesome restraints !;
who thinks he is hindered from being all he
cOulQ De, WHO tuiuks Tue idtnliy are no uoIp
TO him; who speaks of father and mother as
sold man" and cold woman who is deter
mined to leave home whether they are will
ing or not-allow me to say in all kindness,
you are getting yourself into bad shape.
Such thoughts are poison; if you continue to
cherish them no one will suffer more than
yourself. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can
be done to better your condition while you
are in such frame of mind. As has been
said before, in order to be successful you will
have to rove with much caution; all the
good counsel your family can give you will
be so much clear gain. So let me entreat
you to get rid of the thought that they are
not willing to help you to be all that you can
be. When you go among strangers you will
find for long time that the community have
only taken you on trust. There may be
nothing wrong about you, we will allow that
you are all right, but some one has said that
confidence is plant of slow growth" so
you see if you 60 among strangers you must
for while stand before the people con trial"
If the time ever comes when good men are
obliged to s'lst 90 of you'' it will be sad day
for you.-Uncle Joe in N. Y. Tribune.