Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-02-16

outsiders from seeking investment in
the undeveloped mines. because, with
a jealousy peculiar to capital, 1t wants
no rivals in these rich fields. So long
as this selfish policy is suffered to pre-
vail, the mineral wealth of the country
will remain in comparative undevelcp-
ment. And except so far as capital is
invested in mining, there is in that
business no certain, remunerative
employment for labor.
Few get rich, or are likely to, in
farming. The soil is prolific and I'M
failing, and the prices of products
high. But what the farmer buys is
also high. And he lives in an open,
timberless country, subject to great
winds, far from railroads and the
many comforts, and luxuries that have
become necessaries. which railroads
always bring. Bat railroads may
come! So they may; but nobody
knows how soon. And when they do
the high pri ces which the farmer now
receives by reason of the isolation of
this country from them, he will receive
no longer. If it is wealth that is
wanted, the opportunities for a poor
man to acquire it are little, if any,
better here than in Wisconsin. If it
| is home and contentment that is de-
sired, the man who is willing to work
for these can secure them anywhere in
this land of imperial labor; and if he
has the foundations laid where he is,
will be wise to abide with them and
press on with his work. The man
who will not work for these cannot, as
rule, secure them anywhere. He
who has them not because he has been
and is unwilling to LABOR for them,
will gain nothing by removal to a
country like this. The pathway Of
dissipation is wide; the penalty of
pursuing it equally certain and fatal.
In brief, those who are we'll enough
where they are, and desire only the
substantial rewards Of upright effort,
should 'let we'll enough alone" Life
is short, as well as narrow isthmus,
connecting this "Shoal cf Time with
the real life; too short at best to be
frittered away'in pursuit. of a country
that is to afford us wealth and happi-
ness without effort and without merit
No such countries exist. None but
children look for bags of gold at the
foot of the rainbow.
If any who read this care for the
writer, let them not infer he is dis
hearteGed, or in any way regrets his
venture here. 1t is veil known that
he came under circumstances in some
respects more advant; geous than can
those who generally SEX new homes
in far off Territory or State He
has been received kindly here, and has
no occasion to wish to retrace the
step. But what has been here written
is prompted by since'e desire to aid
in correcting, the too common error
that 'all is gold that glitters;" that
a change of residence from among
friends to land of strangers and
fortune seekers, is all hat is necessary
to secure prosperity.
[ have met several here who former
ly lived in Wisconsin, some of whom
l intended personally to mention, as
acquaintance of your readers. I de-
sired also to discuss somewhat the
sH eathen Chinee," WHO'S one of the
fixtures of this place. This letter is
already too lengthy to admit of either
But [ will not conclude without ex-
pressing sincere gratitude for the many
kind words in my behalf that have
found utterance by press and people in
Wisconsin, since came away. The
assurances of friendship and good
wishes, that come to me from so many
of different parties and localities, in
that State [ love so well, serve as a
staff to lean upon in this land of
strangers, and tend to encourage the
hope that my past life has not been
altogether without influence for good.
| am very truly yours,
CHAs. NJ. WEBB.