The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-06

NJ. QUAD in Detroit Free Press.
II am farmers son, and am not satisfied
with my surroundings"
This paragraph, or q portion of it, is GER
tain to De found in four out OF every FIVE
letters received from the country, and il is
matter which should be investigated, Our
Statesmen and journalists and philanthro-
pists are contiD uslly praising agriculture as
a vocation. and the idea that the farmer is
independent and happy prevails IN every
story of rural life.
Whist has dissatisfied farmers sons? Why
is II that so many OF them want 60 leave the
farm for spy work which will bring them
living? 10 most cases the trouble will be
found with the farmer instead Of the son.
1t is q curious position in which an old
fashioned farmer and MS son are placed.
The old man is content with some improve
ments on the ideas OF fifty years ago. He
cant why any one should want anything
better than bare floors, WindsOr chairs and
whide boots. He would as soon 90 to
meeting without cellar as with one He
ray ther likes" the music Of an organ. but
IL he buys an organ ne won't feel like build
ing that addition to the barn. He can't
really see how any one can cit down and get
interested in books, snd why Henry and
William should want real cloth" collars
and cuffs Is deep conundrum. When
o'clock comes he gets ready for bed and
can't see how the boys and girls can "A5eal"
company TO keep them up until ten. The
farm is conducted after the fashion of q
quarter OF the last century. The house
may be painted once in five years, but the
chances are that it is allowed TO go ten
The barns have needed repairs tor wears
past, bat it's cheaper TO lose 6 ton OF hsy
by the leaks than to buy new shingles. The
fences are rotting down, but next winter will
be good time 10 split rails. There are half
dozen pEnes of glass needed about the
hoUs, but II the broken lights were renewed
they might be smashed again The Demo.
cTsJ wagon has been "acoot worn out" FOX
the last i've years, and that's the excuse for
not having il painted. The harnesses vii
hardly hold together, bat they must answer
Tor another year. The ooYs are held 10
serve their time" like SO many slaves or
copvicts, and the amount OF casn indins is
way into their pockets yearly would not
keep boo,b'ack in stock to do business
Is the picture cverdrswn? / can sdi -
per cent. 70 the strength Of each assertion,
and then not exceed the truth.
AND row what's the matter with f2rnsrs'
boys? They live in new world the father
is an cid one. No matter how little school
ing they have had, they are better educated
than he is. No matter X the father refuses
to Go more than subscribe 70 a weekly paper.
his boys are fairly posted on the daily NAG
peDings ell over the world. he wants %
farm after OLD iCeas-they after new ones.
He got along without knowing whether Eng
land was east or west CT the United States
without grammar, oTthography or being able
to more than write his lsme-without col
lars or cuffs or necktifs-vithout books or
papers Or smuEements, and be is quite GER.
tain that the boys can do the same.
The number of farmers sons who are lesv-
ing home. either with half hearted consent,
or running away, is greater than you dream
of. They flock to the towns and cities to
learn trades; 10 accept of mental positions;
10 take any work which will pay their way