The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-07-20
WHAT Is HAPPINESS

ties Of North Carolina the people live.
AS rneir forefathers lived one hundred
wears ago. IN the most primitive fashion.
The men TIL the soil and raise the fam
ilv provisions. while the women attend
10 the household affairs. Each home IS
n complete manufacturing establishment
within itself The men raise sheep ana
cattle. The wool from the sheep is
sheared in season and turned over 10
the women, who card # and spin II ana
DYE it and finally weave it into cloth.
From the cloth they cut and make fam
ny clothing Cotton goods are also made
after the same fashion. The hides from
the cattle are tanned and from il the
family shoes are manufactured. Even
hats and bonnets are made al home,
and about the only things that are pur-
chased are few Injuries. sugar and
coffee. and some little fancy hxings for
the womeas apparel.
The farmers make their own grain
and in passing down the Pasquotank
river on a steamer, old-fashioned corn
mills such as were used one hundred
years ago. may be seen here and there
along the banks. The machinery is ope-
rated 10y the winds of heaven.
Yet We are told by those who are &C
quainted with these good old-fashioned
people. that they are happy and content
and In the fun enjoyment Of life's bless
ings.
We sometimes wonder whether the
general happiness Of mankind has indeed
been promoted by modern progress. In
a latter day city with its electric cars
and paved streets water and gas and
theatres and public parks. and the thous-
and and one conveniences and luXuries
of modern life. the people live more IN
one day than the people of eastern
Carolina live in a year From our
standpoint the primitive life of the east
ern Carolinians were unbearable. a city
man or woman would feel that existence
In such a community were almost equal
to premature burial. Yet We are inclined
TO believe that there is more genuine
happiness TO the square inch in these
rural districts than I'm the rush, hustle.
worry and anxiety OF city life. These
inhabitants Of the rural districts having
never been accustomed 80 the luxuries
and fascinations Of city life do not eX-
meet them and are not at all dependent
upon them. If perchance they get
trim occasionally to town. their journey
from start TO finish is full Of exciting
novelties. and they get an enjoyment
ont Of such trip that the city man can
not know.
rney are free and independent. They
are not dependent upon corporations or
rne state of trade for their livelihood.
Tney are never hunting for a job, haV-
ing steady employment always at nome.
rev do not have TO rush to work at
gwen hour i'm the morning, and toll for
ten hours every day in the year, but 80
10 their work at their own convenience
and we art told chat two or three
months work is enough to supply all
their needs for q year. They do not con-
sult the market reports from day to day
as the spectators DO. They do not ie
.,.. 90 r,,h+ and rack their brains TO
80, nov n secure funds with which
-, ,,, inevitable note nj bank. They
,.. ,,o, ,,coyea from time to time dur
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-. ,,.,.,,,t.s ~, oi,,. uee thew are Of
,o.., ,r.o from IFS care and anxieties.
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-. a,d ho,,,. o., home ana
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