The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-12-23
satisfied as to his sterling qualities
GOVERNMENTAL RARE

thousand pounds to anyone who
was absolutely contented. When the
applicants for the money came-and
there we're lots of them-he asked
them what they wanted the money
for II they we're absolutely contented.
They went. away disappointed but
convinced that absolute contentment
is rare thing. Perhaps it did not ex-
ist at all.
Generally speaking, this is rest
less age. Railway coaches are full
of people fitting about the county.
The ocean steamships tug people to
Europe to Hawaii and the Philippines
and back again. All these things
make the subject Of this story all the
more remarkable.
Way down East, or very nearly
there, for 1t is In south central New
Hampshire, lives a. farmer. his wife
and three children who are the near
est to being absolutely contented that
we have yet discovered. We will not
call them by name, but 1t Is real
family and we have known them long
enough and we'll enough to be sure
Of our ground In saving they are
contented.
The head Of the family was form
erly q storekeeper in b small town,
later a carpenter. and for the last
fifteen years has farmed It. He and
his wife are in q ripe middle age.
The son. who married three years
ago. lives in the next house, helps
run the farm. and - still considered
one of the family. There are two
young unmarried daughters-one Is
teaching In . nearby school and the
other helping with housework. No
hired mel are kept to break up the
family circle, though outside help is
sometimes hired by the day.
The farm has two hundred acres.
much of which is in rough wood
and upland pasture, and the remain
der meadow and cultivated land
grown to potatoes, corn, and a gar
den. The farm borders a small riv-
er and has small mountains on three
sides.
The principal source Of income is
dairying Twenty cows and six
horses are kept, which, together with
the farm work. keep the men busy
fourteen hours a day. The work is
hard, the crops are not always sue
cessful. markets just fair. and the
winters cold.
While all this is not the best foun-
dation for absolute contentment. the
home life is. The wife Is a woman
OF high ideals and refined tastes. The
house reflects her personality. 1t is
comfortably but not extensively fur
nished The meals in such home
are of course good. Running spring
water is provided in the kitchen. The
living room contains piano and
photograph. The son plays the violin
both daughters play the piano, and
the father is an expert with the phon-
ograph. He can put bis hand on any
Of the two hundred and fifty records
IN his musical library. All the fam
lily have good voices, and use them.
The head Of the house enjoys an eve
ming or two week over the checker
board and plays strong game.
All the family have Travelled and
know either personally or through
good authority the larger cities OF
the country. also attractions OF DIFF.
ferent agricultural sections.
But they don't want to move. They
want to stay where they are. They
like their home SO well that they do
not want to run the risk Of trading
bag Of gold for a grindstone, II you
happen to remember the story Of Hans
In Luck. They could succeed any.
where. but they are not anxious to
try.
The air Is good, the water Is good,
and this farm agrees with one pref
ty well, says this man. and besides.
I have plenty Of elbow room. will
live here as long as live ana. then
| will be buried here. His sentiments
are seconded by the rest Of the fam
lily. After all, 1t Is largely the par
ents' attitude that influences the am
billions OF their children.
Think OF the hordes of parents that
are scheming, pulling and wriggling
to get of their farm and go some
where. perhaps to the city. perhaps
to another farm. Think of the chill
dren reared In home atmosphere
charged with such unrest. How can
they be contented? Only the strong
est and most healthy minds can re-
sist the desire to be constantly seek;