THE COUNTRY HOME 



J. V. STEVENSON, Streator 



HE future of our nation depends upon the kind of citizens 

 that we produce. In turn, what our citizens are depends 

 very largely upon the homes they come from, so I take 

 it that it is in this light that we are interested in discuss- 

 ing the country home today. The statement has been 

 made often, and needs no proof here, that the most of our 

 leaders in thought and action have come at some time from the farm. 

 This has been true all through our history, from the days of the log 

 cabin country home down to the present time. We are constantly 

 drawing on our rural population for new blood, in government, in 

 business, in all the professions. And it is this steady stream of new 

 blood, pure, virile, and one hundred per cent American, that has 

 enabled us to forge ahead and assume the lead among all nations. 



CITIZENS IN THE MAKING 



What is it, then, in the training and home life of the country 

 bred citizen that gives him this virility and dependability so essential 

 to success? We might mention first the influence of pure air, pure 

 food, of quiet and natural surroundings and plenty of sleep. These 

 help to develop our country children into better "animals." A sound 

 body and a sound mind make up a useful combination. Without 

 either a person is out of balance and his usefulness is impaired. 



Closely related to this matter of good physical development is 

 another point in favor of the man or woman reared in the country. 

 Almost from the time the child is able to walk it begins to learn 

 something about work. The little girl four years old can help her 

 busy mother in many ways; the boy of the same age loves to 

 follow his father around while he is doing the chores. And he too, 

 very early finds things that he can do to help, and ways in which 

 he can save his father a good many steps. While the little tots are 

 thus saving their parents a good bit of energy, the effect on the chil- 

 dren is of vastly greater importance; for they are learning to work. 

 They are learning that there are things to be done every day and at 

 certain times of the day, and that if these things are not done at the 

 proper time more or less serious consequences will result. 



A little later the child goes to school. Before and after school the 

 city child has nothing to do but play. The father is busy at the office 



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