Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1897-01-09
SATURDAY, JANUARY 9.
FARM LIFE.

our necessities. 1t ia the mother
and nurse of all other arts. II ia.
vors aud strengthens population; it
creates aud maintains manufacto-
rics, gives employment to nnviga-
ton aud materials TO commerce. II
ani,nates every species of industry,
and opens Ia nations the surest
channels of opulencc. 1t 10 also
the strongest bond Of well regu-
lated society. the surest basis of i'll
tcrnal peace aud the natislal asso-
ciate of good morals.
We ought 10 count among the
benefits of agriculture the charm
which the practice of il communi.
Gates To "a country life; that charm
which has made the country, in our
view, the retreat of the hero, the
asylum of the sage and the temple
of the historic muse.
The strongest desire, the longing
after the country, with which we
lind the bulk of mankind to be pen
etrated, points to il rs the chosen
abode of sublunary bliss.
The sweet occupations of culture,
with her varied products and at
tendant cnjoyments. are at least
relief from the sitting atmosphere
Of the city, the monotony of sub
divided employment, the anxious
uncertainty of commerce. the veXa.
tons of ambitions so often disap-
pointed. of self.love 80 often niorti
fed, of fictitious pleasures aud I'M
substantial varieties.
Health, the first and most impor.
tant. and the best of blessings OF
life. is preserved and fortified by
the practice Of agriculture.
That state of well being which we
feel and cannot define; that self.
satisfied disposition which depends,
perhaps, on the perfect equiiibrium
and easy play of vital forces, turns
the slightest acts to pleasure and
makes cxcriion of our faculties
source of pleasure; this incstiina-
bic state Of our bodily functions il
most vigorous lin the country and
il lost elsewhere, il is in the coun-
try we expect TO recover it.
We dcpiocc the disposition OF
young men 10 get away from then
farm homes 70 our large cities,
where they are subject TO Difficult
ties and temptations, which but too
often they fail to overcome. De
pend upon il. il you would hold
your sons and brothers from roam
ing away into the perilous centcrs
you must steadily make three at
tcmpts-,o abate. the tashwork OF
farming, TO raise the maximum
crops and profits, and 10 SURROUND
your works with the eXhilara;ion OF
intellectual progress.
You must elevate the whole spirit
of your vocation for your voca
TONS sake till no other can outstrip
il in what most adorns aud strength
ems a civilized state.
We have long observed, and with
unfeigned regret the growing ten
dency of young men, and lads yet
early i'm their teens, 10 abandon the
healthful aud cnnobiing cares Of
the farm for the dangerous excite
ments and vicissitudes of city life
and trade. Delightful iiresides and
friendly circles in the quiet rural
districts are every day sacrificed to
this lamentable mania of the times.
Young men, favored with every
comfort of life, and not overworked,
fancy that they may do better than
to guide the OK or turn the stub.
born glcbe; aud with the merest
trifle of consideration their hands
are withdrawn from the nipple.
'ments of agriculture and given 10
the Office or workshop of The city,
which generally proves vastly less
agreeable or profitable than they
had, in their inexcusable thought
lessness anticipated. Disappointed
and chagrincd, they faint under the
advance of niInble mischance that
comes so swift of foot aud where
one is enabled 10 withstand the
sweeping tide of temptation, FIVE
are submerged in its angry waves
and hurried onto rain, while the
prison doors aud worse, the gates
of hell, close on many lost1ones,
who would have been saved but for
the foolish desertion of home and
true friends.
II has been we'll said that ":for. a
young man of unstable. habits aud
without religious principles, there
Lis mo place where he will be so soon
ruined as ina large city, Parents
throughout the''country have not
failed toiredlize this startling truth,
land TO sorefy mourn The inclination
Of their some. 10 encounter the fac
cinnting snares aud pitfalls of city
residence and Ifayhions. In brief,
Let the country lad be ossyell edu-
tcated for the farm as bic city cousin
| is, for the bar or the. counting rooms
Aud by all possible means let the
farmer be led 70 REppeslT estimate
his high and heHeEsblss position ID