Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1920-01-01
FROM HARVEY D. NORCROSS.

my SISteT, MrS. w. II. NOydi, anu
family. December /. While here
l have been out auto riding, seeing
the sights, fine country and paved
roads: also the great mining fields
for miles around, with their large
mountains OF stone and crushed
rocks. II Is wonderful to view.
And think OF the required labor that
has been done to accomplish this,
and Of the wealth it has brought to
Joplin and other cities close by. |
have visited while here as follows:
Aurora, No.; Monet, Pe'rce City,
Webb City, C%arterville. %JOhnstown
Prosperity, Porto Rico. Dunewey,
Galena. Kas., Riverton, Kas Low
ell, Kas., Piche'. Okla. CRANKY. Ok,
and the Empire District Electric Co
on Spring river near Riverton, where
they have n great electric wate"
power plant that is a beautiful place
to visit and see the fine bridges and
water falls. | am much surprised
TO find such q good country around
here and the interest that has been
taken in mining and making good
roads. as it is almost equal to Indi.
ana fCc good roads streets and
towns and l feel that the same can
be accomplished in and around
Mansfield and Wright county. No.,
as the mineral and mining fields are
there. il the same efforts are made
there that have been made here the
past 40 years. as I have travelled all
over that country from one house to
another, selling eye glasses, my
business being good. / took an in
terest in visiting my friends and
neighbors and talking with them on
many subjects about the prosperity
OF my home country, as l love all
those old hills and valley, and /
believe there Is rich mineral to be
found around thee. as the prospects
look a. good around Mansf cid as
many other places. and l only hope
the same interest may be taken in
the near future. and if the same in
terest is taken in the way of farming
and stock raising that is in Indiana
and other places | have been, We
will reap a good harvest fC., our la
Dor. Like myself, there are many
who have lived in the Ozarks, and
go away, but for some reason will
return again. as We all love our old
home play ground and childhood
friends, where you can live easy and
buy land cheap. So let us be hap
py in the land of plenty as a busy
city life is not what it seems to be
as there is more sweat than sweet.
No city life for me. In the 1000
homes l have visited the past six
months selling eye glasses, l found
but few homes as poor as ! have
seen in one day around one city, as
the high cost of living has ruined
many homes whose income was
small but the poor On the farm can
their. living almost. as house
rent and fuel cost but little; in this
way they get by. So let us be thank
for a home on the farm and
thank God for the mighty hopes that
make US men. Experience shows
rs a short way by long wanderings.
II you have built castles in the air
your work need not be lost; that Is
where they should be. Now put the
foundations under them. Prayers aye
steep steps a soul has taken to
A youth OF, labor has the
Of an age of ease. Cuiti-
'ation is as necessary to the mind
food is to the body. # we had no
lefects in ourselves ii is certain we
hould not take pleasure in tlrose of
'thers. A man who gives his chill
lren habits Of industry Frovides for
hem better than by giving them
'reat wealth and idlencss.
'reat others in your walk of life,
70 you'd have them treat you;
another's precious time.
|r blot a spotless name
Be true-thcce's nothing half so
grand
s character Of truth.
'et never trace of fa'sehood stain
he glory of your youth.
CHRISTMAS DUTIES.
While sheperds watched their flocks
by night.
IL seated on the ground.
he ange! of the Lord cane down.
nd glory shOne around.
not" said he, for mighty
dread
lad seized their troubled mind
Glad tidings of great Joy | bring
O you and all mankind"
t Christmas, when the snow lies
deep.
nd bitter winds the valleys sweep.
,hen silvery frost shall crown the
hills,
nd all the earth is cold and still, =
emember then His loving words, /
nd feed his little human BIRDS.
reen be thy branches, Christmas 1
tree,