Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-05-02

Appearances may often deceive, but
the world Judges things by them. The
outward show and semblance ara gem
orally taken as q token Of the intrinsic
value. This Is characteristic of men,
who for the greater part take no troub-
lie to think for themselves. but take
their opinions as they do their clothes,
ready made. But it is foolish to strive
against a swift current when one can
reach the desired end so much more
easily By going with it, and therefore it
is best to accommodate one self TO the
popular habits and make show Of
virtue, whether we have it or not. In
regard to this popular habit. however.
it is very often a true index of the char
acter of the man whose surroundings
are noted; and slovenly front yard. a
topping fence. a dislocated gate, a
reeking, filthy barn-yard, and general
looseness and untidiness about the
homestead, are pretty certain to indi.
cate careless, unthrifty farmer. On
the contrary, homestead about which
neatness and order everywhere prevail,
where the stock il well kept, the build
ings and yards are clean, the fences in
good order, the gates substantially
hung, and always clio Sed and fastened;
the orchards neatly trimmed and
pruned, the lawn green and closely
moved, the shrubs, trees, and flower
borders well kept; all these necessarily
proclaim the owner an orderly, indus
tr:ous. thrifty farmer, whose prosperity
may be measured by the prevailing APP
pearance of his surroundings.
Thus one may travel along the roads
and note down as he goes, with a good
deal of accuracy, the character of the
inhabitants. He may get deeper and
still more accurate test if he goes be-
hind the scenes and views the back
yards, the rear fences, and the distant
fields. If he hndsight is similar to the
front view, the owner may be put down
very safely as an upright. honest. con-
sistent man, in whom there is no deceit
or guile, and who does not put on
show for the sake of appearances and to
get reputation which is not wholly
deserved; so that appearances really do
not deceive when they are tested
thoroughly. but only when the outward
slow is partial. superficial, and but
thinly diguised.
Every farmer should be Jealous of the
appearance of his home for his own
credit He will stand well with his
neighbors and be respected by strangers
in proportion to his deserts in this re-
spect. 1t is his duty to himself, as well
as to his neighbors, to thus enhance the
reputation and value of his locality. 1t
is virtue, too, to be encouraged for IFS
results upon the man himself. 1t is
discipline v. 1t is part of a mans
training which does not end till he dies,
for it has u great effect upon his
general habits and character. Still
more important is the fact that it
is training for his children,
and helps to form their character and
strengi hen their self-respect, which is a
very important factor in the problem OF
the young persons moral life. For all
these reasons this timely subject should
receive careful attention and should be
put in practice forthwith. One need not
say he has not the means to make =
show and to expend money upon the
adOrnment OF his home. This is not
what is meant 1t is putting the best
appearance upon what we have, and moi
striving for something we can not reach
A farmer in homespun, if bis dress is
scrupulously clean and neat. is quite as
respectable as another in broadcloth.
1t is the manner and not the material
which counts. A plain board fence, il
neatly and st ongly put up. and rough
gate evenly hung and provided with 8
! good latch, which should be used, and
a smooth plot in front of the house. il
nothing more than grass, with tidy
foothpaths and a elem. well fenced
barn-yard in the rear, will serve to mari
the man as well as the ornamea: a
roll-work fence OF his richer ne ghbor
In fact, plainness, If it is neat and sub
stantial, is better than the greater pre-
tense of the more elaborate show, brill
liant in all fashionable colored paint
and the gaudy flowers chosen chief,
for their conspicuous colors.-M. y
| Times