FARM ECHOES. 



CHAPTEK I. 

 WHAT LED ME TO THE FARM. 



In a young and extended country like this, where new 

 avenues to wealth are continually being opened up, it is 

 not to be wondered at that comparatively few of its men 

 of business work moderately. The high pressure at 

 which others are driving their commercial affairs irresist- 

 ibly impels us to put on more steam than we should 

 otherwise do. The race in many a business career is not 

 unlike the steamer races against both time and each other. 



In common with many other men of business, I made 

 the grave mistake of working so assiduously at my office 

 duties as to disregard frequent admonitions that my health 

 was thus being impaired. I vainly hoped that the inces- 

 sant strain would soon so far cease as to make it safe for 

 me to continue to labor on without rest. Such hoping 

 against hope is a sad delusion. Could those thus cir- 

 cumstanced realize their position, they would speedily 

 seek relief ; but who that is thus engaged in an extensive 

 and increasing business can calmly or rightly compre- 

 hend his condition ? He must retire from it for a season 

 in order to get a correct view of it. 



