The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-13
WITH EXTRA SHEET.
THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL
GO TO THE ANT.

Whatever may be said of some OF Solo
mons writings his proverbs are excellent,
and full of wisdom. His eulogy Of the
thrifty foresight of the ant is familiar to all;
she ''provideth her meat in the summer, and
gathereth her food i'll the harvest" There
is no occasion to preach from this text, but
its application should be made by all. Win
ter is impending, the years harvest is nearly
at an end. He is wise, indeed who makes
provision against the needs of the future,
and who, while the weather is still mild, lays
up stores necessary for the days
and nights that freeze. There
is nothing half so comforting
when the first snow fills the chilly air and
the window-ledge as the knowledge that it
can rain and snow and sleet, and thaw and
freeze and bluster as it may, the coal-bin
has enough to keep out the cold, and the
wood-shed is bursting with the best that the
forest affords. Now is the time to do it,
with the weather still pleasant nd>the way
open. Let the bin be filled to overlooking,
the scuttle battened down and all made snug.
You will feel better all day and sleep
better at night And don't forget the
good things that make cheer upon the mid
winter table A little extra exertion now will
stock up the larder with apples, .pota-
toes and other substantials that gladden. the
heart and make fat the body of the happy
possessor. A bird in the hand is preferable
to two or more hopelessly at large.
The husband and father who has fore
stalled the rigors and Inconvenience of win
ter by laying up adequate store, can look his
wife and babes square in the face and feel no
fear or shame. All is we'll. The latter will
be kept snug and warm and all will be
well fed, and consequently happy. A hungry
pleading eyes, or bodies pinched and blue
with cold, are not pleasant to contemplate,
and are apt to make dscord in the melody
of mans dreams. A prudent man fore
seeth the evil and hideth himself-that is, he
takes refuge behind sure fortress that will
turn back the enemy of comfort and good
cheer The air is full of warning.
The leaves are turning and fall
ing and swirling in the pre-
monitory breezes that portend cold and
frost and snow. Many are now busy getting
needed material stored for the storm that is
coming down every day. He who loves his
own will not be negIectful of them, and will
not see them suffer on account of his for
getfulness or improvidence. The crate in
the family room will look very cheerful
with a roaring fire in it, and the base burner
will be radiant with steady glow behind
its mica panels. But there must be coal for
them. A hot, smoking mid-winter dinner
will be delightful Don't forget the wood
and coke for the kitchen. Fruit will give
additional zest to the winter nights COM
forts, and native nuts will make very palat-
able dessert. ALI these things may be pro-
yided in season, and once secured discomfort
and uncertainty will have no foothold 1t
is folly to say they cannot be afforded. They
will have to be bought sooner or later and
purchased now in quantity to suffice, they
will cost less in money and infinitely less in
trouble.