Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-06-07
iseel lam.
Do Farmers Wives Pay?

1 was quite interested in q late article
from " One OF the Wives" upon this sub
ject, and hoped TO hear masculine re-
sponse. The question was, Does young
woman with willing heart, and hands,
and fair share Of intelligence, who takes
care Of her husband, his house and family,
without hired help, really earn her food
and clothing ?" A farmers daughter"
answers, and " footing up claims and count,
ing out receipts" " finds balance in her
favor of one hundred dollars year.
Every honest man might surely agree
TO this, and yet think the feeling engen-
derd by this virtually regarding the wife
as convenient house machine and
hired servant, is destructive TO domestic
happiness. would not fancy the position
of the paid housekeeper, Qhough that is
better than 10 be unpaid in deed or heart,)
of a man who had promised to love and
care for me through life-nor if man,
the reducing of companion into kitch-
en- drudge who felt she must accomplish
just so much or be considered beggar.
One may conclude from the facts stated,
that town ladies who have less saving
work TO do, and spend more for dress,
would earn still less-and one who keeps
hired help nothing at all, willie poor in
valid wife, incapacitated by duties incum.
bent on wives and mothers, would be a
mere dependent on her husbands bounty.
When a man asks woman to marry
him, he says: VIII you share my homer
not" If you marry me, | will pay you
two dollars a week beside your board and
clothing, if you do all the work for me,
my house and family without hired help"
A man so absurd would speedily find the
door if the young woman had much intel
ligence.
do not hnow whether men ever mar
row their minds TO such an estimate Of
their wives or not, even after the honey
moon wanes, and the bread and butter
question predominaies. If any do, they
ought to be old bachelors, am sure.
The class of men fit for husbands and
fathers is too sensible TO think otherwise
that if woman is faithful in all respects
TO duty, she is an equal sharer with them
in all they have and enjoy. 1t is God-or-
dained that each man shall father his own
children. If it were not so matrimonial
affairs would be unsafe enough; for as
general rule, mems consciences are too
quick. Law and custom enioin upon men
the care of their families, and it is a cred
it TO man TO be a good husband and
father, just as it is to be honest in business
and loyal citizen.
A wife should do all she can TO make
home happy and comfortable work, plan.
economize every way possible for the good
Of all concerned. Where there is little TO
do with, she should make little do, where
competence, use as not abusing, but feel
that being one with her husband, it is hers
as well as bis. The sacred relation in
which women stands TO man as his wife,
gives her this right, If she is worthy-as
almost all women are, or ac0uid be II treat
ed properly. Treat a sensible woman like
doll, and she viii resent it treat her like
slave and her life is crushed out; treat
her ike yourself, Ike your equal, and her
hands are strong, her heart brave, her
sympathies with you and your labor to
such degree as viii amply repay you for
the supposed unbendng of your dignity.
/ know what farmers wife's duties
are, and il any class of women should be
Independent. they should be; for in scarce
ly any other situation does her physical
labor SO Immediately add to the household