Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-02-08

quired habit of industry, which she never
considered unpleasant nor irksome.
As our town at that time afforded no OPP
portunites Of gaining knowledge Of the
higher branches. it was decided that she should
90 away to school-bu. where; ] immed-
lately spoke in favor Of two, or three acade-
mics and institutes with which | was some
what acquainted, but several of her young
companions were about to enter Mrs.--'s
boarding school in the neighboring city Of
New Haven and it was finally determined
that she should join them. While she was
making preparations 70 do so, an old school
mate others, who had spent some three wears
at the same institution, returned TO her home
finished young lady.
My wife at once proposed that our Kate
should call on her. as they were old friends,
and she would probably learn many things a
bout the school, which would be pleasant to
know. Kate went--and came back evidently
disgusted. She kept us all shouting with
metriment through the evening, taking off the
lady's airs and graces and executing piano
music on the side Of the tea table. Her
friend had come out Hgach IKE our Western
farmer diughter-oniy more So ! regret
ted that Kate was going to the same place.
but az her name was already entered, she went.
Her mother seemed TO have no fears for her,
saying with a mothers pride, Kate is too
sensible to have her head turned with gaiety
and fashion like some girls : but | watched
her anxiously when she came home during va
cations. and could as yet detect no change,
except a decided improvement in looks and
manners.
Before her studies were finished, she was
suddenly called home. The sands of life were
running too smoothly with her. The gold
must pass under the great Refners hand,
through the crucible Of sorrow and the trial
was heavy one. She returned To a sadden-
ed home-to her mothers deathbed. Then
came an hour Of deepest anguish to us all,
ana Kate was motherless trembed for her
now. when her stability Of character would be
proved But with a composure and tirmness
painful 20 behold, because we knew that be-
meath it her heart was almost breaking, she
assumed the lost ones responsibilities. For
nearly two years she has been a mother to
her little sisters and has directed the house
hold affairs tn my entire satisfaction Occa-
sionally the bread is sour, or the soup Is
burnt. IL is true; but she consoles us with
the laughing assurance that q" the best miss
it sometimes and we are forced to believe
the adage, as proved in her case.
had always said she should not have a
piano for did not believe in farmers girls
spending so much time in practicing music,
which ought to be given to making butter
and cheese. But when she asked me for one,
saying, with tears in her eyes, which she could
not keep back. that she was often so lonely, |
produced the ncedful without a word Of com
plant, although Just then it crowded my af-
fairs good deal She had learned to play
at school. and we soon concluded that the in-
strument could not be dispensed with for any
consideration.
Soon after its arrival, some Of her city
friends came for a morning call. ! showed
them into the parlor, and went to the htch-
en-, where | found her washng-elbow deep
in the suds Al first She said jokiugly, "TcH
them am not at home, as the girls at school
say their mothers do" Then quickly wiping
her hands, and rolling down her sleeves, she
greeted the visitors in her calico dress, and
entertained them with good grace and as
sweet music as if she had been arrayed in
"purple and fine linen"
With the advent Of the piano, it was nee
essary to get a new carpet, the old one being
faded and worn out. At this, Kate demurred ;
and when it was finally removed, she sat down
and cried because it was a part of her moth
er's d" setting out when she was bride, and
she could not bear TO have anything about
the old place changed.
Her leisure time is spent at her favorte
art, drawing and painting, instead Of novel
reading and embroidery. did not know
how dear to the heart are the scenes of my
childhood until their every feature was so
faithfully Gelneated by her skillful hand and
there are other pictures on our walls, which
more experienced artists might be proud to
own. Neither have the more useful branches
been neglected She is quite familiar with
the English classics aud mathematics, render
ing her assistance to her brothers and sisters
invaluable
Some may say that this is an exaggeration ;
or if true, that she is one in a hundred. She
as an anomaly, | confess bat there might be
many more such The difference is, no doubt
partly owing to the natural disposition. /
am convinced of this from the fact that my
second daughter is already far more frivolous
and has more false ideas OF life aud the world
than her sister, while she is following exactly
in Ka,e's footsteps. Butt is far more in the
early training Of a judcious mother.
In the present system of educating farmers
girls, am confident that the great fault lies
with the farmers wife. Many times it is
easier for her to do the work herself, than to
take the trouble Of teaching her daughters.
Ohener STILL from sheer thoughtlessness, she
does not implant in their impossible minds
those correct views Of the ends and aims of
life and usefulness here, which are a safeguard
against the trivial and false notions so often
imbibed from their associates in boarding
school, until they return with hands too deli
cate to be immersed in dish-water. and heads
too full of dress, society and conquest to
be any comfort to the home circle. Then
let every farmers wife who is mother, con-
slider well the responsibility of her charge !;
for on her depends in a great measure, the fu-
ture prosperity of the agricultural communi-
ty.
THE ORIGIN OF MONEY.
The writer of these papers once had pass un-