AND WHERE TO FIND ONE. 109 



It is apparent, then, that one likely way to get a 

 farm is, in the first place to seek out such properties 

 as are known to belong to distant owners, and which 

 are at the same time being skinned by worthless or 

 dishonest tenants ; to obtain all the information pos 

 sible in reference to the property ; and then to find 

 the owner and negotiate with him on the basis of a 

 purchase, with ample time for payment. He will 

 listen more respectfully to the man who proposes to 

 buy than to one who merely proposes to rent. An 

 offer to buy implies ability to pay at least some 

 time and holds out a prospect of the owner being 

 relieved of a great annoyance. Renting is synony 

 mous with continuance of an old and hateful griev 

 ance. Small means will be no hindrance against 

 the application of a worthy man in these circum 

 stances. Character will be the preponderating in 

 gredient towards success, and, as in most others, will 

 determine the question in his favor. 



I could recite three instances where this advice 

 was given, and/ being acted on, success attended 

 each application. In two of them, the good conduct 

 of the applicants was so conspicuous as to secure the 

 confidence and friendship of the men from whom 

 they had purchased, to such an extent, that, what 

 ever facilities were subsequently needed, were vol 

 untarily supplied. Character and conduct secured 

 them friends, and were absolute equivalents to cap 

 ital. Kind words, moreover, were constantly spoken. 

 Though cheap, yet they were valuable because in 

 spiriting. Some men are naturally given to them ; 

 feeling that such utterance is like lighting another 



