Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1915-08-27
EDITORS OBSERVATIONS FROM
THE FARM. >

Having finished my travelling itin-
erary for only short period, long
enough to go back to the old home
stead to rebuild a new house, I
thought that it might be a source Of
inspiration to my readers, especially
the agricultural part, to know how
one feels who returns to the farm
after being decade away. On the
d the c., B. & @. train for Decatur
9Th of August I, in company with my
only son, Master John Nelson, board
City, in Decatur county, arriving
there in the evening. We spent tho
night in Decatur with Mrs. Amanda
Morton. Next morning by 7:3O an
automobile had delivered US to tho
Thompson Bros. farm, a beautifully
located home one-half mile from
Grand River, four and one-half miles
due west Of Decatur City, where our
old house stood for about forty years,
that was recently burned. We can
see in all directions from ten to tif-
teen miles. Once more, donned in an
old pair Of overalls, broad trimmed
hat, no coat, broad brogand; then to
hauling sand, rock and when we could
not haul sand, to the hay field shock
ing, stacking and raking hay; nothing
to disturb or excite one. During the
day all is quiet under the hot rays Of
a shining sun Except this season..
Occasionally you will hear the whiz
of humble bee or the whistle of the
Bob White or the singing of a locust
r a frog and the chirp of birds or
the cav cav of the frequent crow,
which are all music and company to
the harvest hands. Not the noise Of
the street cars, not the hum of the
wheels of the factories and workshop,
nor the rustling of the loaded wagons
or autos. At eventide at the barn
house he scene is changed to the
ewing Of the cows, the squealing Of
the pigs and the bleating of the
mbs. All the work is done by the
i'd Of lanterns or the light of the
moon. What cantrast between this
scene and those Of city, where you
will find the people going to the opera
or moving picture show or society
meetings in the glare of the electric
lights, almost as light as day. It was
a sudden change and yet for one who
was born here and spent twenty-five
years on this old homestead it seems
very dear to me, the early scenes and
the hard struggles Of young manhood,
the lofty aspirations that ! received
behind the plow handles. I wanted to
b . lawyer, = teacher, A. politicians
and finally stumbled on to editor Of
a newspaper, with barrister permit
to reach that ambition. Let me say
to my friends, back to the farm looks
good and fascinating to me. How
dear to my heart are the scenes Of
childhood when fond recollections pre-
sent themselves to view. The orchard,
the meadow, the deep tangled wild
wood and ever loved spot where my
infancy knew. For one to re-enter
the ring again as a farmer would be
like Jeffry trying to come back into
the pugilitic ring, because the mod
ern improvements and many new ma
chimes that the old farmer of twenty
years ago would have to learn over
again. Yet after all the farm is the
safest and best place for the masses
of the people, but the funniest thing
is that eyesight is so poor or my
nerves so unsteady that instead Of
hitting nails in the house I was hit
ng mp fingers, thumbs and even my
wrist. Well, must close this foolish
letter. While it is unique to US, it
may not be interesting to my readers.