Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-09-16
NUMBER 35.
Written for the Oxford Democrat.
II Farmers Wife.

A farmers wife How many young
ladies have a feeling OF horror, when this
idea is suggested to them-that of be.
coming the wife OF tiller of the soil
How many, q am ashamed to say) will
ingly, nay. eagerly accept the hand Of
man, without principle, who leads life
of dissipation. rather than him who
honestly earns his competence by manu-
al labor. Now why is this? There must
be reason for this as we'll as yeiything
else. The mass OF the people attribute
this to the false notions and vanity which
they imbibc from reading novels, thus
making them romantic, &C., and it is
true 10 some degree. But justice is de-
manded here; let us not Judge too harsh
ly.
In our halls of learning, the knowledge
OF mathematics. history, the languages,
is to be acquired. But the knowledge
which to all is the most important, is
| HGtC to lire; and this is to be obtained at
home, and the parents are to DO the
teachers. Now why is il that farmers
and their wives SO often desire their
daughters 10 become allied 10 families Of
wealth, position. or. ut least TO be for
tunate enough 10 get man with pro-
fession for. husband. even wtlt0W the
much desired riches. The answer is OBJ
vious. They themselves have not learn
ed the lesson, "HOC TO Ire" The wife
regrets her choice, and advises the daugh-
ter 10 avert the misfortune which belel
her The husband grows discontented,
thinks farming is only drudgcry, and he
encourages the son to become anything
but farmer. Perhaps we should call
this an exception TO the general rule
We have hardly solved the mystery yet.
The fayDier is surrounded by the most
purifying. ennobling influences. lie can
have his seasons Of meditation ut AL
times; when in his field with the birds
singing mcrrily about him, the balmy air
around him, the blue sky overhead, yea,
everything in nature WHICH should raise
his soul to higher, hoi or aspirations.
This is during the spring, summer and
fall; and in the winter, rs he enters his
well filled barn. and gaZes Upon nc no.
bic animals before him, with no small
degree of satisfaction, knowing that God
has given them 10 man as hep. can he
refuse to pay such ~ Givcr homage? Does
he realize how much he has reason To he
grateful tor? Oh the beauties OF nature
They are spread rs a beautiful picture
about him. lie cnvics others around him
and yet he is the most fortunate OF al.
The merchant in his counting room, the
lawyer In his office, the physician in the
sick room, are deprived OF these healthy,
cucrvatipg influences, which the farmer
can ever have; and yet, do they realize
il? Does the wife Of farmer ever envy
those ladies' about her who can live at
their ease? All! does she realize that it
is not the outward adornment of the body
which alone brings happiness?
Why is il that. when the word farmer
is mentioned, thcr: is almost uncopsciDus-
" presented TO the mind, lie of weari
ness and dradgery? Ii is because they
have not yet learned "h2'0 10 lire
How many idle away their time on
long winter evenings, when it might be
spent in cutivating the mind. How easy
il would he TO remove the old coat, worn
while at work in The stable, and don one
more agreeable to the delicate nerves Of
the wife. to remove the heavy boots, and
cncase the feet in warm slippers, have
the hair nicely combed, and thus encour-
aging the children to follow like exam
pie. The wife can easily make tidy
appearance, and peace and harmony cv-
er prevail.
think i, is true that from farmers
originated the erroneous ideas concern
ing the manner of their living. 1t is no
wonder that their children wish to avoid
the occupation OF farming, when they sec
so many disregard all habits Of cleanli-
ness, politcness, &c. Never, until they
throw around them means of culture and
refinement, which the majority Of young
people so much crave, can this evil be
removed that Of supposing the occupa-
ton of farmer to be degrading. 1t is
truly, one of the best; and say. God
bless the farmers RETA.
To TRAIN A HORSE TO STAND. The