Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-07-10
bring to mind Winters lines on Galies:
"Bue sea Of the hills In my spirit
! hear
Thy waters. Genesaret, chime on
my ear

Its shores. especially on the Vermont
side are not as abrupt and striking an
those OF Lake George. The earth comes
near to its waters gently and lovingly. As
you gaze upon it, you do not wonder at the
story told of Vermont minister. who, cal
, led to the bedside of one supposed to be
near his end, after praying for all the COM
forts and consultations appropriate to such
an hour and place closed with the supreme
petition that the last moments of the dying
man might be as peaceful as a sunset on
Lake Champlain.
No one can spend a summer on the
shores of tn at lake or on the slopes of the
Green Mountains without coming to ap-
preciate something Of the strong attach
ment which binds every true Nermonter
TO his native State 1t Is like the love of
| of the Swiss for his Alpine peaks and
snow-girt valleys. 1t Is love that never
fades away. Go where he may on the face
Of the earth, the child of Vermont ever
| turns in memory, loving gaze on her hills
and waters. 1t Is true that Stephen A.
Douglas. himself a Nermonter, said that
it was good State to be born in. If YOU
only moved away soon enough fter.
The stirring. active, ambitious statesman
evidently thought its peaceful life was not
suited to his tastes and struggles. But to
| one who Is not ever graspng for high
places. and who loves nature in her quiet
and sweetest moods. there is little more
&c
The character of her people tells OF the
| surroundings OF their lives. Hers Is not
busy busting, mercantile community.
There are no large commercial or manu-
featuring cities in her borders. The cease
| less roar and din of huge machinery does
not Cypress the ear. 1t ia an agricultural
State. and yet not one where great farms
ignorant of scythe and hoe. know only the
| cultivator the self-binding reaper and the
steam thresher, and tell of only tenant
| population. All through her midst are
| scattered little villages surrounded by COM
| paratively small farms. each occupied by
| its owner. The habits Of the people are
| simple; the cost of living small. The
| fashionable summer resort has not yet
| found its way into her territory. Yet there
| is no lacking of refined and cultured men
and women. The beauties of nature have
called forth a sweet response in hearts and
| lives Flowers are growing near every
| home. While not tropical blossoms but
only the common flowers yet they are ten
| derby cared for, and their beauty and fra
GRANGE speak more eloquently than words
| OF the characters Of those who live among
| them. The tramp and the burglar do not
visit there The women of fashion and the
4 man Of sport find nothing congenial But
to one of pure and healthy thought of gen.
| tie and refined taste, there is a constant
appeal. Her sons are strong and honest;
her daughters modest and pure. The home
| is sacred Brother and sister, husband and
| wife, father and daughter dwell In peace:
| loving God and loving each other The
child of New England Glories in his Pilgrim
ancestry. with all its sterling character
| istics ! know OF no State which preeer-
| yes more OF those noble qualities, where
| character speaks for more. and the inci
dents of wealth and position speak for less.
| Kind, yet not gushing, hospitable yet not
| demonstratve they welcome you for what
! you are and not for what you have
se II, 20 20 sN~
| a winter of busy. commercial political or
| official life. and spend quiet summer be-
meath the shadow of the Green Mountains.
| and beside the peaceful waters Of Lake
| Champaign 1t is a good thing for man
| to be born and reared amid such whole
| some and healthy surroundings And II
| this has been denied him. the next best
thing is for him TO become, like the writer
of this,
A SON-IN-LAw OF VERMONT.