The Grass Isn't Always Greener in Indiana

Puck tells us 'what fools these mortals be,' and they are words of wisdom that all can apply to some period of life. We call to mind a young couple who arrived in Shelton from Indiana in 1887, not very well fixed in the goods of this world. The burning of the Kneeland Hotel in November of that year cleaned out all that they had accumulated by that time, therefore their prosperity, in its small way, begins at that date. It is unnecessary to follow them closely, but in something over a year’s time, through the exertions of both, two eligible lots in town, on one of which their dwelling had been built, were theirs, and a little daughter as well—much more than the husband had accumulated in his entire life in Indiana. For some reason they pined for the 'Hoosier' state, and placing their property in the hands of an agent, they left for the object of their pining. A recent letter shows too plainly that they are heartily sick of Indiana and want to get back very badly. The husband works from daylight to dark on a farm for a dollar a day to support his family and is going down hill. Here he worked the usual hours, when he did work, and received $2.50 and $3.00 a day. He finds no such soft snaps in Indiana as abound in this country, and wants to sell his property to raise money enough to return. Some people do not know a good thing when they see it, and thus pass by a grand opportunity that may be the turning point of their lives and fortunes—they cannot realize when they are well off.