Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-04-22


pressed with the social unrest Of the
present day: With the great struggle for
place and position. The yo1ng mans
ambstion.is mo- lOnger in the direction of
asricultlIre. because the life TO his mind
Is too circumscribed. too quiet and too
exacting In other words, there is not
enough of the glitter and glare OF city
life that does so much to excite and
simulate for the time being. but which
finally leaves one a nervous. IL not a
financial wreck in middle life The wild
rush TO the city at the present time Is
due 10 the fond belief OF the average
man that fortune there awaits him.
What future is there for the average
young man who enters a factory TO-DAY
or learns a trader Each year the period
OF apprenticeship is heightened while
the trades union dictates to him
Re shall and snail IrsLa 90 II he is pos
sessed OF genius along q certain line, in
stead OF helping him il retards his prog
ress and says thus far and no farther
shall you GO" The time was when the
quiet peaceful life of the country was
more thoroughly appreciated and enjoy
ed than II is today. Time avs when
rams ideas of success were not meas
ured BY the standard of gold alone. Time
was when people were more nearly free
and equal than they are today. Then the
social line was not so strictly drawn as
now and a man who preferred TO farm
as a means OF livelihood was counted
az good as the professional man or the
merchant of the neighbOring city
The change in sentiment with regard to
Horticulture and the great increase in
urban population. due TO the extensive
development OF our manufacturing inter-
ssts. would not make so much difference
after all II they brought happiness and
ocntentment and good fortune to the
majority OF men who can not hope to
rise above the level Of the laborer.
But unfortunately they do not do these
: things Shutting men up in close fac
tories at labOrious tasks breeds dis
content. jealousy and cOyetOusness with
thesr attendant train OF evils And this
: the atmosphere in which the youth
u the city IS expected to find nourish-
nent for his body and mind. Little won
Ter that the country boy should excel
aim in many respects and grow up
,rawnier more independent. thoughtful,
INDUSTRIOUS and God fearing citizen
What a contrast between the crowded
tenement life Of the city and the open
ields and woods of the farm. And yet
he young man is striving to get away
rom ell that is most beautiful and in
spring and shut himself up i'm city
away from the influences that make for
tie development Of the most admirable
traits i'm the human character.
The question has been frequently asked
Ehy the country boy succeeds so well
Fhen transferred to the city. This is not
A difficult matter TO understand when one
vas had the experience Of living under
both sets OF conditions Did you ever
.hink Of the many activities which en-
.er into the life Of a country boy? First.
as a mere youth he has a chance to de-
Telop brain and muscle in the open air.
Unless his home is more isolated than
he average there are brothers and sis
ters and neighbOrinE children for play
mates. What greater pleasure is there
han to roam the field hunting for
wild flowers and gathering the nuts in
ne autumn season. chasing the squir
-ris and catching the possum? Then
ere is the stream in which to fish and
% hattie on hot days. There are shady
foods 20 stroll in and verdant. fields
or play grounds. and when one gets
lot and tired and thirsty. there are tie
tisrious fruits OF the trees and vine and
he big red-hearted watermelon to sOothe
tnd comfort the aching void which cor
rtitutes so large a part OF very ehalthy
boy. And these are only a few Of the
.hings which engage his attention even
the. course Of day. II may be that
- is called on to render some useful
srrvice. He may have the COWS to bring
nome. or the pigs to feed. or the chickens
n look after. or the mules to ride to
Haater. and these I'm their way are all
3icas1ires and they are teaching the boy
thousand useful things. II is the great
variety OF conditions that he has to
rect that develops in him the self-reliant
I sracferfstIcs which are so invaluable
n later life.
In the good country home there are
books OF travel and history to read in
he evening which help to round out
and build perfect man. and so when
Re country boy is transferred to the
,ity and finds new set OF conditions
% face. his training stands him in good
read. and though he may be green and
awkward at first and inexperienced in
s. .s-csit' Shich men practice upon
80 othe.. 10 VIII not take him long to
hcroug5=y master the situation. and then
oecS>-se OF his splendid initiative. his fine
Substitution and his strong moral fiber
re 10 the purity OF the social atmos-
IRE In which he was raised. the rest
plain sailing.
~ all this goes TO show the advantage
Z the country as place for training the
'outh OF the nation. and If IL is the
roper place to grow the boy. is IL not.
.fter all. he best place for him to live2
yin ne not render the country a greater
eryfee. and win he not accomplish more
or himself ultimately than by seeking =
likelihood I'm other vacations? The desire
4 every man is for free. active life I'm
he open air where he can think ard do
arsely as he pleases- This is one Of the
nbOrn principles OF the Anglo Saxon
ace.
therefore. I'm choosing a profession one
hould consider carefully the oDpoTtUni-
fes IL offers the average man. and III is