Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-05-30
The Country Home.

written some time ago by General Oieih'
ent A. Evans, who is now the leading
candidate for Governor of Georgia.
There is charm about the story OF
old Obed Edom, the honest, the brave
old farmer who took the ark into the
house and kept it there until it could be
established in its national position. 1t is
certain that according to the laws of his
country it was his house, held by good
title and unencumbered by mortgages
Doubtless the earliest duty that a man
owes to himself, his family, society and
state is to provide home where he can
enjoy the sweetest of family and social
life, and which he can hold as free citi-
zen of his commonwealth, This is some
times difficult to do, and oftentimes un-
forseen difficulties prevent the attainment
of his object. But happy is the man who
is in such a case where he can call his
house his own, however humble it may
be-
The farm house is capable of attrae-
tions that cannot be given to the houses
in the cities by the expenditure of thou
sands of dollars. The sight on the hill,
the natural growth in the yard, the broad
view unobstrucled by brick and mortar,
the sweet fresh air, the pure water from
the well or spring, are all advantages
which nature provides for the family in
the country home. What a splendid
place in which to rear the tender offspring
of the family into maturity, free from the
excitement that overstrains the forming
nerves. Perhaps this has something TO
do with the fact that so many successful
men in the cities proudly point to the
fact that they spent their early days as
toilers on the farm.
By all means make the country home
the most attractive spot on earth. True
enough that the farmers toll is not often
rewarded with riches, and he has many
obstacles to overcome in order to succeed
even in making living. But admitting
all that, he has a calling which can be
adorned with the graces of home and So
cial life. To do this he must still be a
practical and not a sentimental farmer
If flowers bloom about his house, the corn
Will toss ito toll tossels ond hon5 out
its weighty ears in the fields. Music by
his daughters in the house will not super
sede the melody of the plowshare in his
ground. The farmer is man whose
home can show comfort, beauty and utili-
ty all combined.
Much has been wisely written about
the necessity of improving the farmers
home life, and line must be added to line
and precept to precept, until living in the
country comes at last to parity with life
in the town. To this end the grouping
of good homes must receive more atten-
ton. The road that leads to market to
the church and the neighborhood must
by common consent and united endeavor
be improved. The schoo,-house ought to
be better structure and the churches
must be near.
"Tell me about home life" said phil
osopher, "and I will fortell the destiny
of your country" As the family so the
national families, and as the farm home
appears, so may we judge the real pros
perity of the land. Sad indeed the stu
alton of a land where all its glory is just
the gliding that appears in the vain show
of municipal wealth, where the homes of
the people express by mounrful dilapi-
dation either that poverty prevails or that
the advantages of the country home are
not appreciated.