The Red Cloud chief., 1884-05-02
Appearances.

Appearances may often deceive, but
the world Judges things by them. The
outward show and semblance are gem
orally taken as a token of the intrinsic
value. This is character site of men,
who for the greater part take no trOub-
!e 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 can
rach the desired end so much more
easily by go NJ with it. and therefore it
is best to accommodate one 5 self to the
popular habits and make q 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 a slovenly front yard. u
topping fence. a dislocated gate. a
reeking. filthy barn-yard. and general
~looseness and untidiness about the
homestead. are pretty certain to indi-
cate q careless, unthrifty farmer. On
the contrary. a homestead about which
neatness and order everywhere prevail,
where the stock is well kept. the build
ings and yards are clean, the fences in
good order. the gates substantially
hung, and always clio ed and fastened:
the orchards neatly trimmed AMI
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 a deeper and
still more accurate test if he goes be-
hind the scenes and views the back
yards. the rear fences, and tie distant
fields. If The h ndsight 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 i .ceit
guile. and who does not put On \
show for the sake of appearances and to
get a reputation which is not wholly
deserved; so that appearances really do
not deceive when they are tested
thoroughly, but only when the outward
is partial. superficial, and but
diguised.
Every farmer should be jealous of the
of his home for his own
He will stand well with his
and be respected by stranger,
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
and value of his locality. 1t
is a virtue. too, to be encouraged for its
upon the man himself. IL is
discipline v. 1t is a part of q mans
training which does not end till he dies,
for it has Il great effect upon his
general habits and character. Still
more important is the fact that it
is a training for his children,
and helps to form their character and
streng hen their self-respect, which is u
very important factor in the problem of
the young persons moral life. For all
reasons this timely subject should
careful attention and should be
put in practice forthwith. One need not
he has not the means TO make a
show and to expend money upon the
adOrnment Of his home. This is not
is meant. 1t is putting the best
appearance upon what we have, and not
for something We can not reach.
A farmer in homespun. if his dress is
'~crupulously clean and neat. is quite Is
rs another in broadclOth. ?
Lt Is the manner and not the material
which counts. A plain board fence, If
neatly and st ongly put up and a rough
rate evenly hung and provided with a
rood latch, which should be used, and
/ smooth plot in front of the house. if
more than grass, with tidy
and a Gle n. well fenced
,arn-yard in the rear, will serve to mark
he ma as well rs the ornamental
rOll-work fence of his richer ne ghbor.
IN fact. plainness. if it is neat and sub
tantial. is better than the greater pre-
ense of the 10 elaborate show. brill
ant in all fashionable colOred paints
md the gaudy flowers chosen chiefly
or their conspicuous cOlors.-N. Y.
Times.