The Rugbeian and district reporter. (Rugby, Tenn.) 1882-1883, 1883-03-17
A WORD FOR THE FARM.

OF the farmer us compared with the care
and worry and anxiety of mercantile
life.
We hope our friends in the country
will not smile at our simplicity, in talk
ing about what they understand much
better than we do.
What we know about farming is not
much, but we know good deal about
city life and from this are able to make
a comparison of the two
Any one who observes the successes
and failures of men in this and other
large cities, knows only too much of
what comes from the general casting off
of the vocation of agriculture by the
young men of the country. 1t is
change from calling reliable for thrift,
to one that is uncertain and deceptive
in promise. There is an immense diff
ference between an occupation where
one is always wanted, is never in the
way of others, is at least independent
OF rulnous competition, and withal has
the consciousness that, instead Of living
on the world, he is feeding the world,
and II condition where all those par
tlculars are reversed, and where the
whole history Of the time promises the
hoped for Independence to onl Y about
ten of every hundred who enter the
strife. Of the remainder, statistics
assure us that not more than one half
rise above the condition of employees,
the majority of whom find their salaries
are too limited for the tastes of their
families, and in many cases the real
necessities OF comfortable life. OF others,
a few have the good sense to return to
country life, and the large fesidue GO
where
The Gospel ministry aside, the learned
professions are oyercrowded, and only
small percentage of those who embark
III them succeed.
The unsuccessful especially if poor,
have sad time in getting through the
world.
In mercantile enterprise, which is
frequently the longed for goal of the boy
tired Of the farm, the case is certainly
no better.
The percentage Of failures in business
Is enormous, and even the successful
merchant isneverbeyond the vlcissitudes
Inherent in trade We seldom open t.
paper without an account of some COM
merclal breakup and often where it was
! leassh all looked t9r.. But in orr agri-
cultural districts you may 20 through
ar entire county Without tilhlmg mar
who had fallen from the condition of
proprietor to that of II laborcr on the
farm, or worse, to that of one going
form farm to farm with the enquiry,
do you want a hand q
Bad habits or notable ncapacity may
bring tiller Of the soil down to this,
but these causes aside, ordinary care
and industry may be expected to keep
him i'll place,
And the farmer is measurably at his
ease in regard to the uncertainties of
health, or the condition of those whom
he expects to leave at death. This
subject is one continually upon the
minds of the thoughtful.
In recent conversation with city
physician of extensive practice, he re-
lated the case of II book-keeper of about
middle age, the father of a family, who
was frequent caller for treatment. Il
have told him." said the physician,
"that his symptoms are Of the gravest
character, and that he must leaves his
employment and 90 out into the open
country. He said that was impossible
for with his utmost economy, bis
his salary as it came from month to
month, was paid out for the living Of
his family, and he begs me piteously fol-
relief here. | have replied, 4 will dc
the best | can, but | can give you nc
hope without rest away from the city
He assured me that such thing was
quite out of the question, and if that
was the only condition of relief, he has
no choice but to toll at the desk unit
he dies. My heart is heavy for him, anc
for other cases of the kind constantly
coming before me-"
But what can be done This much
at least. We can recite the facts, with
/ their lesson of warning for those in com
f Portable rural homes whose fancies arr
becoming charmed over much with thu
) idea of a country life, and ask them i
f their fathers are ever driven to sucl
! straits, The farmer can at least whel
the necessity is laid upon him, comman,
/ time tor inoisposition or real sickness
, and his family is meantime fed anc
r clothed as usual, and if death comes
his last hours are not embittered by tn
g thought of their being cast out upol
4 the world.
: This is not all. The employee is nsve
: sure of his place.
b Principals may fail, the business di
S ont, or room made for some new favorite
e "Do YOU think Yourself as establishe,