The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-01-08
"StaY at f1oma IommxI,,

| L
'Stay at Home Tommy.''
| venture to address few rambling thoughts
to those boys upon whom, as upon myself.
fate has imposed a country rearing. How many
of the disappontments, the disbursements
and sorrows, which render the early stages of
life's journey difficult to US, result from indulg-
ing too lively imagination among the
"Dreams that the soul of youth engage.
| Ere fancy has been quelled."
There are none that the country youth is
more prone to indulge than that bright but de-
lusive one of riches and fame awaiting him in
some metropolis. Will it not be well for YOU
to pause before relnquishng the certainties of
your present situation and consider canddy
the prospect for the realization of your golden
dreams? Have you carefully weighed the adj
vantages the farmer enjoys which do not fall to
| the lot OF the professional or business man:
| Let me call your attention to Il few of Them
The farmer, cooperating with nature. createS
in a certain sense, his own livelihood and con-
sequently is not dependent upon any man or
| combination of men for it. Neither is he de-
| pendent upon others for employment. He is
not exposed to the fury of the financial cyclones
which sweep so many business houses out of
existence yearly, and send business men to
premature graves. 1t is in the country that
one finds wholesome food, and Gods free air
in all its purity, without which good health is
unknown and life burden. Statistics of the
State of Massachusetts show that the average
duration of life among farmers in that COM
monwealth is GA years, lawyers 81. merchants
and physicians 81, carpenters -. editors 40,
clerks "a and operatives -.
The professions are oyer-rrowded. The per-
son who would be successful in any of them
must bring to it peculiar qualities which are
possessed by but lew. Nc doubt each of YOU
can call to mind numerous instances where
material for good farmer has been spoiled to
make fourth-rate doctor or lawyer. There
are other considerations than those of success
IN business, which am sure many of you will
regard as more important. If you are strong
| in the conviction that nature has given YOU the
impress of genius, by all means do not hasten
to throw yourself into the vortex of a great
city where so many bright stars have prema-
turely set The immortal Burns sang his sweet
est songs while following the pillow along the
hillsides of Scotland. You may find something
to reconcile you to Your lot in the opening
chapters of such lives those of Lincoln and
Garfield. If you crave that superficial great
ness which finds it, level and its completeness
in silk hat, a switch cane and Il dialect which
is tlagrant mutlati0n of the Kings English,
you will probably be able to reach its perfect
ness only in the city. r., like myself, you are
not genius, but belong to the vast majority
that fate has decreeI shall tread the path OF
mediocriiy, and YOU aspire to that t"c great
ness which the humble>t may attain. your sur
rounding> are the best possible Tor its attain
ment. Vice exist, in our citie, in its greatest
luXuriance No possible good can result from
contact with it. You. whom the simplicity of
early surroundings has rendered peculiarly
susceptible to its Influences, hazard much by
placing yourself in it, proximity. Many young
men from the country, who have come in con-
tact with the seductive vices OF the city have
eXemplitied the truth of popc's lines.
"Nice is monster Of 50 frightful mien.
As, 10 be Hated. needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too Oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace"
1t is true that the country has its vices, but,
with few exceptions they are not of that soul
destroying. and contagious type which the city
produces. Hugo, the great French writer,
says: "Citie> produce ferocious men, because
they produce corrupted men; the forest the
! mountain and the sea produce savage men, but
while they develop their feroeiou> side, they do
moi always destroy their human part"
1t may be set down as Il truth that circum-
stances which cause one to lose interest in the
things which amused and interested them in
childhood, are unfortunate. How many of
those who have exchanged a country home for
the city have. with sorrow felt their interest IN
these thing, relaxing, and sighed for those
Blowers of innocence and ease,
Seats of their youth. when every sport could
please.
As farmer you become, without design, Il
student of physical nature. Men may err in
their teachings and deceive you with fair
promises which are never fulfilled: nature
never does. lie who walks nearest to nature
seldom strays very far from the path of right.
Young friend, stick to the old farm; infu>c into
ness man briggs to bear upon h& transactions :;
then if your efforts are not crowned with sue
cess think it will be useless for yoG to seek it
elsewhere. NV.