The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-03

and condition help to make man who EN-
| phasizes the real ties CT character ant
| is able to put proper values on all tn,
elements which go to the constituting o.
the great world of humanity"
There are prerequisites essential 10 a
| useful and successful life" says the late
| ]. S. Mount. Governor Of Indiana. Prom
inent among these is early training to
| habits of industry. frugality, economy and
| temperance. Coupled with these, and OF
| no less Importance. are the environments
| that develop individuality, independence OF
| thought and action. self-reliance, courage
originality will-power, and strong body
1t has been well said The man without
self-confidence and an iron will is the
plaything of chance, the puppet of his en-
vironments. the slave of circumstances;
with these he is king, ever master OF the
situation. The country pre-eminently Of
fers the best opportunities for this need
full training. Remote from the associations
OF evil and from surroundings that are
conducive to dissipation and prodigality.
the country boy is less liable to be enticed
to sin
While General Grant, poor country
lad, was breaking wild colts, and when,
below his teens, he was sent to the woods
with wagon and team and chain to load
heavy timbers, a task requiring all the
tact and genius of a man, he was forced
to rely upon himself. Necessity was the
mother of the resourcefulness developed
IN young Grant that enabled him to ac-
complish this marvellous feat. II was by
such conditions in country life. and rot at
West Point, that forces were put IN mo-
ton that made General Grant the hero Of
donaldson and VicksbUrg, eliminating
in the browning honor of Appomattox.
While Abraham Lincoln, in the iIl-clad,
unpromising boy OF poverty, in the ob-
,f Il.
to his bed of leaves in the loft by means
of wooden pins in the logs, who would
have been jeered by the boy of afluence.
he was there learning the great lesson OF
sympathy for the plain people, and the
self-reliance that fitted him in subsequent
years to become the trusted leader who
piloted the nation through the dark night
of peril, and to break the shackles that
bound a race in thraldom.
while returning recently with a COM
pany of gentlemen from the grave of the
mother of Abraham Lincoln, and discuss
ing the advantages of country life to the
boy. prominent business man of Indian
apolis said he pitied the boy who did not
enjoy the advantages of country life. /
would that the country boy could know
and appreciate his advantages. Personal
experience intensifies my interest in the
country boy. Having experienced myself
try boy, never having a penny to spend
that L did not earn, and but few hours
that could appropriate for that purpose
what l deemed a hardship then, in the
light of experience ! now view as a bless
ing for in this school of economy and
patient drudgery / was obtaining the
needed education to success. These en-
vironments did not abate my enthusiasm,
but only tended to increase energy I
was learning self-reliance and wilipower
for knew unaided | must fight the battle
of life. Under such tutorage, obstacles
became stepping stones to higher levels.
I'm conclusion, word to country boys.
Don't grow weary OF your lot; change
to the gaiety OF the city will be worse for
you. Patient toll is the road to true sue
cess. Be Industrious. be economical. be
hopeful; aim high, don't chew or smoke,
or drink intoXicants; stand for nobility
CT character, and you will win honor and
success. student of nature working in
with the God of nature
THE farmers wife is the sweetest. the
farthest removed from the turmoils OF
strife. and the nearest to God, of any
] rejoice in the anticipation of |
the restful quiet of my country home when |
| shall be permitted to lay aside public |
duties, cares, and responsibilities, and re-
turn TO the home which represents long
years of toll and hopeful struggle
Other examples might be adduced in
support of the same side of the question,
but it is not improbable that some city
boy will. ere now, be rendered impatient
to speak for himself and others who labor
under the seeming disadvantage of hav-
ing been town bred.