They had to clear forests; here the land
is ready for the plough. And though "there is society where none
intrude," yet he is not by any means beyond the boundaries of good
neighborhood. In many cases, however, he has left his dearest friends
far away in his native village, where his affections still linger. He
has to endure painful separations, and to forego those many comforts
which spring from frequent meetings under the parental roof, and
frequent converse with the most attractive scones of youth. But to
compensate for these things he can feel that the labor of the pioneer,
aside from its pecuniary advantage to himself, is of service to the
state, and a helpmate to succeeding generations.
"There are, who, distant from their native soil,
Still for their own and country's glory toil:
While some, fast rooted to their parent spot,
In life are useless, and in death forgot!"
LETTER XII.
SPECULATION AND BUSINESS.
Opportunities to select farms Otter Tail Lake Advantages of the
actual settler over the speculator Policy of new states as to taxing
non-residents Opportunities to make money Anecdote of Col.
Perkins Mercantile business Price of money Intemperance
Education The free school.
CROW WING, October, 1856.
IT is maintained by the reviewers, I believe, that the duller a writer
is, the more accurate he should be.
