With the frank outpourings of
friendship and confidence; with the lavishness of mutual praise in
youth, we enjoyed and joined in merry badinage, in miffs and flattery.
The starry nights echoed our young voices singing in the clear air.
There was a burden of care taken from us, for was not the Association
our god-father? Had it not also taken from our parents the dread
anxieties that fall to most of common lot? And while we were there we
would be happy, and when the Association broke up, if it ever did,
would we not unite somewhere again?
Certainly I never heard any one of us doubt, whether young or old, gray
of beard or smooth of face, that associated life and doctrines would
succeed: of this I am sure. We reasoned that if Brook Farm Association
failed, some other would not. Some new ones would be formed. The
partings were all temporary; and when we parted, it was with cheerful
hearts. It was like the going forth of a family in the morning to meet
again in the evening; no sad farewells, no heart-breakings.
In a few years all of those engaged in this most interesting experiment
will be gathered to their fathers. No one may ever write as consecutive
a story of the farm life as I have done; and, with the much that is
superficial in my narrative, let me add my convictions of the leading
men and women in this movement.
Pages:
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293