The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-02

nal to reach Lake Erie, one day to pass
over the same and one day and a half by
the Southern Railroad to the city of New
York. 1t Will require only five days to reach
st. Louis from New York and five and one
half days from New York to the mouth OF
the Ohio river"
about twenty-four hours-another thing that
makes hfty-nine years seem long time
Inc log cabins l which were cnaraclerlsI nd
which, indeed, have not yet entirely diSap-
peared, were not regarded by this business
man as any great credit to their owners.
A chapter gives plan of q better dwelling
which he evidently thinks quite as suitable
for the birth of great men as the abode
which we have come to think more pic
turesque. He says:
THE poor and uncomfortable appearance
of so many of the houses SO often met with
on the most productive farms throughout
the Western country is subject OF extreme
regret. The practice of erecting rude log
cabins derived at first from a scarcity of
the material suitable for better dwellings,
has been much too long continued Tene-
ments of this description prove often detr1-
mental to the health and comfort of the in
mates, while their value as improvements is
too small to mention"
A plan is given for prairie cottage,
which looks if it might be the ancestor
of favorite type of village and country
architecture of the present time. A picture
accompanying this plan shows the completed
house, surrounded by the primest of fences
and rows of cedar trees set with dreadful
regularity, in the yard Chat our author
should be guilty OF thatD
The old-faShioned, dignified language OF
the book, which moves rather slowly, has
its own charm, evident in these remarks
about the emigrant:
The adVenturer who WanderS from MS
childhoodS home to settle in another and
a distant cline goes forth attended by a
most or warm affections from the many VINO
remain. lie bears with him rich treasure
of commngled hopes and fears, prayers Ior
his success or apprehensionS for his safety,
as the heartfelt tribute of his early friends.
a hOIIr 6PnartIIre brings a
deep regret that they are not companions
of his journey and the sharers of his joys.
while to othera the home which he has cho-
sen seems but little better than an exile and
his lot as one of sorrow and privat1ons.
But the true condition of the emil
grant is not found in such extremes. AMI
mated with just desire to attain an honor
able independence, he is fastening to a land
of brighter prospects than the one he leaves;
to scene of more immediate usefulness and
action and a home in which contentment
will secure his happiness. The mem
DRY of those whom he has left lives still
green within his soul. Separated as he is.
by distance, he gathers to his bosom fond
group Of treasured recollections, and fingers,
though it be in fancy, around each cherished
haunt of by-gone years.
I'VE have INDUCED in these remarks be-
cause we know that there are many who
regard the situation of the Western emil
grant, especially If he is young, as fearful
exchange of comfort, principle and health
for the decep T, prospect of afcumula tie
placed himself beyond the restraining infiu-
ence of well-organized society and afar from
moral motives that might regulate his con-
duct"
But, turning a leaf, we come upon evil
dence that these worthy pioneers, who build
ed so much better than they knew, also had
the right sort of ideas about behaving them
selves
Enter the numerous churches,
witness the throngs that assemble in them
on the Sabbath and their devout appear
ance; listen to the sound exposition of doc
trine and the eloquent appeals to feeling
that issue from the lips of the minister of
God. Attend the Sabbath schools of each
denomination and view the correct deport-
ment of the young of both sexes there as
sembled.
The pioneers have been commended for all
the known and imaginable virtues except
correct society department, and now that
this is added their cup of glory is full.
D. K KIEFER.