"It's na' to hide it in a hedge;
It's na' for train attendant;
But for the glorious privilege
Of being independent."
Thus sung Robert Burns long ago in praise of independence. This is one
of the rewards which the land holds out to the honest, hard-working,
persevering settler; and never does it break its promise to industry and
perseverance.
In the city, dangers surround the poor laboring man; temptations arise
on every side to drag him down; insurmountable barriers oppose his
advancement.
Well, he may avoid the dangers--we wish to give the best view of the
case, and, thank God, there are thousands of instances to sustain
it--spurn the temptations, and even surmount some of the outward
barriers to his advancement. He may be respectably housed and clothed;
he may have a good boss. Ah, there is the rub, good or bad--