288 



THE TWO FARMER BOYS. 



l(oqfi|'3 Sej)i(Hl(i)eif)f; 



THE TWO FARMEE BOYS. 



On oue of those sultry summer days in June, when 

 all nature sfenis imploring the Great Disposer of 

 events for wafer to relieve the earth of its thirst, ami 

 prevent its becoming barren from drouth, two boys 

 were at work in fields adjoining. They vvere farmer 

 boys, and thus far through life had passed much ol 

 their leisure time together. 



A scene of beauty, of surpassing beauty, surrounds 

 them. It was a home scene — a scene which, go 

 where they will in after life, will ever remain en- 

 stamped upon the tablet of the memory. Broad 

 a?,res of beautiful farming land, covered with lu.xuri- 

 ant growing crops, was displayed in all their magni- 

 ficent beauty before them. 'Twas such a scene as 

 only farmers behold, and few besides farmers are fully 

 capable of enjoying. 



Let us approach and make the acquaintance of 

 these farmer boys, who we have said were at work. 

 Martin Brown is the son of an affluent farmer; — 

 Jkrry Freeman was the child of poor parents, but 

 he is now an orphan. Martin has had superior ad- 

 vantages; Jerry's opportunities for acquiring know- 

 ledge have been meagre. But hear them that ye 

 may judge; for they are now approaching the place 

 where we stand by the fence, each at the same time. 



" A fine day," declares Jerry, leaning on the han- 

 dles of his cultivator; raising his hat and wiping the 

 sweat from his high forehead. 



" A plague ou such fine days — so hot — corn all 

 drying up — I would like to know what there is par- 

 ticularly tine about this day ?" replies Martin. 



" We ha\'e a beautiful place to work in here," — at 

 the same time, with his eye, noticing the surrounding 

 beauties of hill and valley — " and can see so much 

 to enjoy," observed Jerry. 



" Well, I would like to know who could enjoy 

 this, and be hard at work! I can see little to enjoy," 

 responds Martin. 



" Why, we may enjoy the scene about us — the 

 lovely view of wide spreading fields of grain, mead- 

 ow and forest ; and yonder are the distant hills, look- 

 ing so beautifully blue beyond the clouds." 



" Pshaw! Jerry," answered his companion, with a 

 derisive laugh, " I can see nothing in the view you 

 have pointed out, worthy a look or thought. We 

 have nothing in Ms town worthy one's attention, and 

 I am getting tired of the intolerable lonesome life I 

 am leading." 



" I am contented," responded Jerry, " I find much 

 time for reading, and subjects of wonder, inquiry, and 

 admiration daily present themselves to my notice." 

 A laugh followed this expression of content by Jer- 

 ry, and the boys separated. 



We have heard enough of this conversation, as 

 above, to learn (hat while at work different thoughts, 

 feelings, and incentives to action possess them. Ob- 

 serve closely and you will discover in the look, air, 

 aud manner of the one evidences of contentment, and 

 a desire to become acquainted with more of the 



world than what his own eyes rest upon — speaking 

 plainer than words, that he is happy. The other 

 wears no look of sunshine, his eye gives forth no light, 

 and the manner in which he does his work, shows it 

 to be prompted by any love save that of his calling. 



An hour later and we will discover the secret of 

 this difference. The air which has hitherto been 

 sultry, begins to move — the corn leaves, which were 

 wilted, rolled, and dry, begin to rustle — and a roar of 

 distant thunder breaks the stillness. Low down in 

 the western horizon dark clouds begin to appear — 

 they increase, and in dark masses roll on, covering 

 the sky. The wind freshens — the leaves turn up — 

 the swallow flies^ rapidly, darting here and there — the 

 thunder roars more continuously — 'twill rain — it rains 

 — much needed, welcome rain is falling. The boys, 

 anticipating but a slight shower, retreat to a grove 

 near by, where, sheltered by the leafy branches, they 

 await its cessation. 



" How beautiful," remarked Jerry, as the rain 

 came pouring down, and falling on the parched earth, 

 raised clouds of misty vapor. 



" Beautiful," exclaimed his friend, with an accent 

 not to be misunderstood. " ' Fog goes up skipping, 

 rain will come down dripping.' Oome, Jerry, let us 

 turn out our horses and go up to the corners; for I 

 think it will rain all the remainder of the day." 



" No," rephes the other. " I have reading at home, 

 and would rather read than pass my hours in such 

 conversation as I would hear at the corners!" 



"Reading!" replies his friend, with another pecu- 

 liar emphasis; " let your reading go till some other 

 time; we will have fun up there, with the boys who 

 always assemble there on rainy days." Jerby was 

 firm, and Martin ceased to urge. Here is the se- 

 cret revealed. Martin has lost all relish for thought 

 or observation, and is only happy while in company 

 with others of kindred habits. Reading he hates, 

 and he goes up to the corners. 



Who has not witnessed the change that now came 

 over Martin Brown. It was not a rapid change — 

 great changes never are. It was a gradual, radical 

 change. First it blinded him to the beauties of na- 

 ture, and religion, and then to the enjoyments of 

 home, until, finally, he saw beauty only in the achiev- 

 ments of the clown, or in being the chief actor in a 

 bar-room club, or some kindred amusement. * * 

 Great was the change in taste, worth, and influence, 

 in ten years. Arrived at manhood, and assuming its 

 responsibility and duties, Mr. Freeman was a man of 

 knowledge, talent, worth, and influence. Mart. 

 Brown was yet a loafer — a loafer in language, habitT, 

 and appearance, — his influence gone, his person ne- 

 glected, his property squandered; he presented a sad 

 spectacle of the result of spending his youthful leis- 

 ure hours " at the corners." 



We are preparing a series of interesting and in- 

 structive articles for this department, and shall com- 

 mence their publication in the next number. Our 

 space for this department is small, but we shall al- 

 ways see that it is well filled; and in most of the 

 numbers shall give the youth a fine and appropriate 

 engraving. 



