Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-07-16
Uncle Joe's TaIk Wih the Boys.

| would speak an earnest word TO those
boys who are thinking of leaving home
You are anxious to push out for yourselves.
In many instances there are younger BROTH
ers in the family, and you think the farm
hardly large enough for all. Those who
live in the East are anxious to 20 West,
and those who live in what is termed the
Wes. desire to 90 still further toward the
setting sun. AT any rate, as you look at
it, IL seems desirable in order TO succeed
that you get as far as possible away from
home No doubt many young men have
done as well, If not better, By casting them
selves among strangers; they have worked
harder, and denied themselves more than
they would have done at home But 1t is
q very important step, and one which will
pay you TO look over before you take it.
Ii YOU intend to 90 among friends OF your
own family, or with a company Of your
townspeople, it will make it much better,
but 10 start out all alone, and throw your
selves among strangers in distant State,
is hard row to hoe. 1t is true you may
be successful, but the chances are all
against you, and it Is quite likely you will
hear the cry of "hard times" no matter
which way you travel Taking il all in
all, as things stand now, there is little diff
ference in favor of one part of the country
over another
The man who works an Eastern farm
Nill 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 far
mer; the chances of his children getting
q good education are as fair if DOT better,
than IN many parts Of the West The
Gully advantage there seems TO be Is that
II you have a little money left when YOU
are at your journeys end, and know how
to take care Of 1t, you can do more with
i, than at the East But If you have no
money and must 70 to work for any one
who will hire your time, YOU will md that
in order to getinto the condition you wish
10 be, viii require much hard work and
selt.denial And when, in future years,
YOU visit your old home, you may be ike
" 10 ind that those Of your early COM
panions who remained there have done
about as well, and somehow, you will DC
apt to think, have Jared little better.
Doubtless much Of this changing about
IN our country Is owing IN great meas
ure TO our restless disposition Mr. Gree
ley remarked, while making his overland
tourney 10 California, as he passed many
emigrAnrs TO tina, Eldorado, and about a.
many coming back AhAt he didn't think there
was another SUCH a restless, uneasy peo-
pie on the face Of the globe
70 the boy who has become dissatisfied
with his home audit wholesome restraints;
who thinks he is hiOdeTed from being all
be could be, who thinks the family are
no help to him; who speaks Of his father
and mother IS "old man" aud ''oid wom-
an" who Is determined to leave home
whether they are willing 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
move with much caution; all the good
counsel your family can give you viii be
50 much clear gain 80 let me entreat
you to get rid Of the thought that they
are not willing to help you to be all that
you can De Wheny you 20 among strangers
you viii ind, for a long time, that the COM
munity 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 a
plant Of slow growth. soyou see if you 90
among strangers you must for while stand
before the people 'on trial" If the time
ever comes when good nen are obliged to
"let 20 Of YOU it viii be a sad day for
you.-NEW YORK WEEKLY Tribune