St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1902-12-13

you got TO IISseut 70 Q1D &Jcstys GAV
king?" Nothing" said he, nothing
but my children and he then
marched them out and caused them to
salute him. There were 20 Of them,
and he said: "May it please your mai
esty, these are my treasures-the chill.
dren of two mothers. They are all far
mers and raise produce for your sub
jects in peace, and will defend you in
war" The king gave him goodly
present and his blessing and said to
his courtiers: "This poor mans gift
is the richest that have yet found"
But don't believe in % children in
one family. Ten are enough. If the
number could be regulated, would
say that six or eight would be good
average, but we have none to spare at
our house. One child is better than
none, but if that one be lost, there
is none to cling to or caress and the
home is desolate. One child is aptto
be spoiled and; selfish. The best thing
for lone boy who is oyer-indnlged at
home is to send him to school early
and let him get licking now and then
from the other boys until he learns to
give and take. Two boys are far bet
ter than one, for they can be compan-
ions and help one another. Two daugh-
tiers are better than one, for they can
counsel each other and 60 around and
visit together and keep each Others
little secrets. A numerous flock Of
children strengthens the family and
makes it more respectable in the conn
munity. It makes it strong and influ-
entail in the church and Sabbath
school. By and by the children are
married and that brings in more
strength to the family.
Then again there is economy in it
for the good mother can hand down
many of the garments of the older
ones for the younger. If the outside
of little petticoats and drawers and
out-grown pants that come in hand y.
My wife says these "hand DOWNS" as
she calls them, have saved her manya
weary stitch. I know a little hand
some grandson who is now wearing
nice suit made of a discarded cloak of
mine. Another advantage is that the
older ones can help the younger in
their lessons, and this has saved my
wife and / lots of time and perplex-
ing care. And SO, although the old
est boy or girl gets no hand-downs but
has every garment span and new, they
have to help the younger ones in vari-
Gus ways, even to nursing the baby
when the mother is sick or busy.
There is no law of primogeniture in
this country. No English law that
gives the paternal estate to the first
born, but all have to share and share
alike and contribute to the family
welfare. From my window I see my
neighbours boys working the garden.
and they have good one and take .
pride in it. They find ample time to
go to school and to play ball, but will
not neglect the garden.
But. alas! there is shadow over eve
cry large family. The time will sure
" come when it will be broken up
either by marriage of the children or
emigration of the boys to some dis
tant region. When they leave us for
good the father is sad and the moth
er's eyes are often dimme d, with tears.
For two years we have not seen our
youngest boy, who cast his fortunes
with companion in the City of Mex
leo. But he is coming soon, and his
mother is waiting, hopefully and
prayerfully waiting. We have one in
New York, one in Texas and one in
Florida, but they are good to write
to us and cheer us up, and there is no
blight or cloud over them. What =
comfort there is in good, loving let
ters from far-of children. A good
mother. writes me that her married
daughter lives in Australia and her
monthly letters are her greatest bless
ing. I know of nothing that pays
such good dividends upon its cost as .
loving letter from an absent child OF
from far off friend. Only q little
spare time and two cents will bring
pleasure that money. cannot buy
more than ever have I noticed this
since have been sick. Even the sympa-
thetic letters from unknown friends
have brought me comfort. wish that
I could answer them all and say, az
Paul said to Timothy, "see how long
a letter I have written to you with
mine own hand" Bill Arp, in Atlanta
Constitution. sess