The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-01-13
THE WEATHER.
ENVIRONMENT MouLDs CHARACTER

EMPLOYMENT MOI Ids CHAhAOhhh
But little has been said in the polit-
ical economies Of the world OF the intiu-
ences Of employment on character. We
have been taught that youth brought
I'D or the farm would have rural ten
denotes; but the history Of the develop
ment Of our country proves this idea
most fallacious, for very large portion
Of the sons Of farmers have entered
professional or mercantile pursuits,
while the sons Of merchants and bank
ers have bought farms and talked very
wisely Of rural pursuits and Acadian
homes. And besides, those who have
sought these rural pursuits have
built fine houses, bought wide do
mains. fitted up gardens and shrub
berries, and parks and preserves for
deer, elks and buffaloes, with little land
20 raise the food needed for the increas-
ing millions Of the country.
So that when the son OF the farmer
goes 10 the city there is q dead loss 10
the farming world; but when the con Of
the banker or merchant goes TO the
country he seldom adds anything TO the
farm products Of the land, but usually
very greatly lessened those products by
absorbing many productive farms for
his gardens, pleasure grounds, parks
and preserves.
II one wishes 20 know what changes
have been produced in the older states
by this new order Of republican rule,
since 1S60, has effected let him visit the
beautiful regions Of Maine on the Saco,
Androscogin, Kennebec aud Penobscot,
the White mountain regions Of New
Hampshire and the elk and buffalo
parks OF Vermont He will find that
hundreds Of farm homes, where indus
try and economy made happy, sturdy
boys and rosy girls, the fathers and
mothers Of our Hamlins, Websters and
SHADES, have been converted into the
domains Of retired bankers and manu-
facturers and the old farms into feeding
grounds for deer, buffaloes and mead
ows to supply the hay they need in the
winter
Still, in spite Of these tendencies TO
decrease the farming and mechanical
population, the sons Of the farm and the
workshop, still continue to ill the White
house, the cabinet chair and the halls
OF congress. There is some inherent
virtue in the good old country home
where the ideal family lived.
ttHaif NJ fha pfu hsfI
Stands the old farm house with its elump
Of barns"
In these old country homes as good
fortune wills some sturdy boys and
blooming girls still say:
The good old paths are good enough for
me-"
They had seen and enjoyed the fun
in the old home on Thanksgiving eve.
where Ruth in the cellar showed the
SIXTEEN barrels Of cider
RipsninR In = row."
Then the bins OF russets, pearmains.
Rhode Island greetings aud Bsldwins;
and then tho large and
Small potatoes. few in hill"
while the youngsters played blindman's
buff in the grand old kitchen, more 10y
GUS than any play the little men and
women OF our cities know.
But the fate Of the country boy in the
city often presents a sad contrast-in
poor Room in some garrett, cold and half
fed, he spends his weary nights. And
many fresh country girl finds as hard
life in q city full OF homes where she
has no home.
What Logs and girls most want are
happy homes. IL will take some time
10 make duplicates Of eastern homes in
our distant val.eys But our climate
has no equal. our soils are az fertile az
those Il Egypt, and our crops surpass
those Of all other lands.
What better fate can We wish for the
boys and girls than to make homes
here, surround them with all the luxur-
les Of the farm, and become the parents
OF the future rulers Of mankind. What
we want are country homes for men,
women and children, end not ranches
for men only.