OUT-OF-TOWN PLACES 



man who has planted his own trees, who has 

 laid down his own walks, and who has 

 seen, year after year, successive features of 

 beauty in shrub, or flower, or pathway, mature 

 under his ministering hand, and lend their at- 

 tractions to the cumulating charms of his 

 home. The man of capital, who buys into an 

 established business, where the system is per- 

 fected, the trade regular and constant, the de- 

 tails unvaried, may very possibly congratulate 

 himself upon the security of his gains; but he 

 knows nothing of that ardent and intoxicating 

 enthralment which belongs to one who has 

 grown up with the business — suggested its 

 enterprises— shared its anxieties, and by 

 thought, and struggle, and adventure, made 

 himself a part of its successes. 



A man may enjoy a little complacency in 

 wearing the coat of another, (if he gets it 

 cheap,) but there can hardly be much pride in 

 it. Therefore, I would say to any one who 

 is thoroughly in earnest about a country 

 home— make it yourself. Xenophon, who 

 lived in a time when Greeks were Greeks, ad- 

 vised people in search of a country place 

 to buy of a slatternly and careless farmer, 

 since in that event they might be sure of mak- 

 ing their labor and care work the largest re- 



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