Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-05-13
HisrfIl

WOMEN IN THR HARvKsT-FIEJD.- Some
times in our journeys, at the vest, our route
has led off from the railroad, across the ooun-
try, SIX, ten aud twenty miles--and ever,
through the same fields Of yellow grain, and
green, waving corn. Now a river shimmered
like silver through the gold Of the wheat and
the oats-and nov a fine growth Of young
timber made dark green ack.ground for
the harvest fields. And here, as everywhere,
in greater or less numbers, women were busy
at the harvesting. On one occasion, the car
riage came to halt opposite field where
some half dozen women we're harvesting
with two men, and not little curious to
know what these female reapers we're like, we
walked over and accosted them.
And so you are helping to gather the har-
vest" we said to woman Of forty-fve, who
sat on the reaper to drive, as she stopped her
horses for brief rest. Her face was pleasant
and comely, although sun-burned, with hon
est, straightforward eyes, a broad brow, and
mouth Of more sweetness than frmness.
Her dress, a dark calico, without hoops,
strong shoes and shaker.
Eyes, ma'am, "she said the men have
all gone to the war. so that my man can't
hire help, and told my girls, we must turn
to, and give him a lift with the hEvestin'."
Have you sons in the army -
ayes, ms'sm," and shadow fell over the
motherly face 4" all three Of EN- listed, and
Neddy, the youngest, was killed at Stone
River, the last day Of last year. We've mon
ey enough to hire help, II il could be had,
and my man don't like for me and the girls
to be workin' out O. doors; but there don't
seem no help for 1t now"
We stepped over where the girls were
binding the fallen grain. They we're fine
lassies, with the sweet eyes and honest mouth
Of the motoer, but brown like her, and clad
in the same sensible costume.
Well, il seems that you. like your moth
or, are not afraid TO lend hand at the har-
vesting"
"No, we're willing to help out doors in
these times. Ny three brothers are in the
army, my cousins. and most Of the men we
used to hire-so that there's no help to be
got but women's, and the crops must be got
in, you know, all the same"
- tell mother" said another Of the girls,
las long a. the country cant get along with
out grain, nor the army fight without food
that we're serving the country just IA much
here in the harvest-fed, as our boys are in
the battlefield, and that sort o. takes the
edge of from this business Of doing mems
ed this statement.
Another was the wife Of one Of tue soldier
sons, with three year old boy toddling be.
side her, tumbiing among the sheaves, getting
into mischief every five minutes, and caus-
ing more plague than profit" as his mother
declared. From her came the same hearty
assent to this new work (which the strait Of
the country had imposed upon her, and she
added, with a kind OF homely pride, that "she
was considered good a binder as man,
and could keep up with the best of EN- II
for my part" she continued, am willing to
do anything to help along in these war times"
We would have talked longer with these
women. who were now invested with a new
and heroic interest-but the driver calling
uut that he had mended the broken harness,
and was ready to 60 on, we could only assure
them that they were worthy OF the days
of the Revolution, aud that we were proud to
have met them" and babe them "good-by."
Sanitary Commission Bulletin.