The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1900-01-12
Farm Life la Mia Winter.

farul Lie ia MIA Winter.
Editor Hsraid.-There is an impress
sion abroad IN the land that our farm
er friends are only to be congratulated
in the spring time, when the buds are
bursting, the green reviving aud the
birds are singing, aud then again in
the summer when the crops are grow
ing and the flowers are blooming, and
still again IN autumn when the harvest
Is ended aud abundance crowns the
year, but not in mid winter when the
cold has come the snow. Recent
experience among the farmers Of Prince
Edward, Cumberland and Lunenburg
has convinced me that their sweetest
content is enjoyed just at this season of
the year, when the ice king holds
sway. Look on this one picture, not
the work Of fancy either, Mr.. Editor,
and you and your readers will agree
with me. The shadows of evening
were falling when | drove up To farm
house not far from Darlington Heights
The owner met me with cordial greet
ings and / was at once taken into the
family room," where big back logs
and smaller front ones united TO give
out a glow fit for the home of the gods.
The busy housewife had been busy
and she apologized for evidences
of disorder, but to the newly arrived
guest there was supreme comfort from
corner to corner, from centre to circum-
ference. No millionaire in all New
York sat that event z in front Of such
fire. As soon as fingers and toes had
been warmed | went with the gene
rOus host to the stable To look after the
faithful horse who had carried me so
safely and so quickly all during the
day, aud there the bed was soft and
clean, the house well guarded against
the intrusion of wind and storm and
the trough we'll filled. | noticed, too,
that the COWS wore a look Of sweet con
tent all snug and fat in their winter
quarters, that the pigs were not squeal
ing for a nubbin, that the calves were
a. happy a. children in the house, and |
that the sheep were quiet and not dis
posed TO break out and go 10 forbidden |
ground. The wood pile was prodigious,
little hillocks in the garden were silent |
to careful horticulture. and |
the ice house was "chuck" full Of sum
mer comfort. On our return To- the |
house we found the fire bigger and |
brighter, and soon supper was an
nOunced. such a supper Hot bis
cult and batter bread, sausage and
-ouse, steaming coffee and ice-cold
butter milk, SERVES" aud cake left over
from Xmas dinner. | missed my din
ner that day, but made up at sup
per time.
The meal over we went from the
warm dining room back into the
warmer sitting room where we were
soon joined by the family circle. No
roses blooming in the garden on that
January night but a full, fair crop was
In full bloom ON the faces Of those
happy, hearty children. No silk
worn 10y the queen of tnat home on
that evening, but spotless calico with
an apron white As snow. No dress
suits in evidence but clothing warm
and loose in fitting. Not word Of gos-
sip had been spoken when bed hour
was announced, and no one Of the
retired with visions Of pro-
lest, or "please remit haunting them.
The early dawn found us again hearty,
healthy happy. And tell me this is a
lreary picture On the contrary it is
radiant with brightness and beauty.
Happy farmers. Glorious farm life!
God made the country, aud man made
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