Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 March 1885 — The Delights of Walking. [ARTICLE]

The Delights of Walking.

For good, honest interchange of thought and sentiment; for sifting a man, and separating the corn from the chaff in his moral, spiritual, and social characteristics; for getting a grip stronger than ever in the way of possessing his heart, I know of nothing that can bring better occasions or wealthier chances to you than walking with him on the king’s highway. You shall learn more of a man’s heart, his likes and dislikes, his hobbies and idiosyncrasies, his weakness and his strength, in a day’s walk than you shall be able to get by a month’s riding with him in a diligence or a postchaise. The breeze that winnows your very heart, and sends all the draff of dark and doubtful thoughts from you, leaving the kernel of true grain white and clean, is surely an unspeakable blessing as you tread your way along the crisp and shining upland road. Then you have the bright or ever-changing sky, and gleaming cottage homes here and there, sheltered under their warm wings of thatch, covered over wjh golden stonecrop and green moss, all sprinkled daintily with crystal gems of hoary rime and frozen snow. Beyond all this, the exhilarating swing in every step you take, and the glorious joy of freedom you possess, combine to open your heart to him who throws in his Jot with you for the t me, and jogs along with you with ready wit and responsive reverence, keenness of vision, and brightness of heart. What a rare privilege is given to every walker on the king’s highway, and through the sweet, shadowy rural lanes and meadows, threaded by silver streams and lined with willow holts, leading therefrom I And yet how few accept with gratitude and act upon the gift which nature ever extends to them with open hands! Wh.t lovely pictures and gleams of lasting joy they who do not go afoot miss forever!— The (Juicer.