Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-03-16

Woulo ue IaTnler, anu perhaps Sne
would be all that farmers wife need
be-.
We have often thought OF the tone ol
this conversation. For what do men
generally marry, and what estimate do
they put on their wives? How many
really good husbands never realize how
large share of prosperity Of their home,
its comfort and success, they owe to
their wives. The husband earns the
money, it may be but does heever make
an estimate, u fair business estimate,
of what it would cost, in dollars and
cents, to buy the cares and comforts
that he receives through his wi!e's la
bors, whatever may be their standing
in the community? Particularly is this a
pertinent question as it regards Il
farmers wife.
While this subject aud the conversa
ton Just alluded to were fresh in mind.
we CHANGED to pick up some stray paper
which spoke quite clearly on some
points of this subject. We suhjnin a
lew sentences. They may not come
exactly under the head of"raISs with
Young House-keepers,' but they. certain
" do 10 the Household. Besides which on
such intimate terms with the wife, COM
mon courtsey demands that some little
attention should BE- paid to the husband.
We will, for the present, leave out Of
sight all sentiment, all references to the
little comforts and felicities that 90 to
make up the sum of domestic happiness,
aud come right TO the practical ques-
ton: Does young woman, who comes
to her husband with little or no dowry,
but with willing heart and hands, and a
fair share of intelligence, who takes care
of his house, and of his family as it in
creases, often without any hired help,
really earn more than her board and
clothing?
No man will deny that good wife
is treasure. Her care aud labor GER
taiuly secure him many comforts; but
how much would he consider them
worth in dollars and cents -? 1t is q great
comfort to husband to have his three
meals properly cooked and prepared Al
hours that suit his convenience. He
can swallow dinner in twenty or
thirty minutes that it has taken most OF
the wife's forenoon to prepare. lie
thinks it good dinner; but how high
an estimate, think you would he put
upon the labor Of preparing it if reqnr-
ed to state the worth in money.
With what astonishmcnt and disgust
would he look upon his table if set with
dishes that had not been washed since
last used but how high money value
would he be willing to put upou the one
unromantic item of washing dishes,
which nevertheless, takes so large q
share of womeu's time?
With what satisfaction he puts on the
clean smoothly ironed shirt, and the
nicely darned seeks They do not look
much like the oues he pulls off 10 throw
into the wash. Some one had to rub
pretty smartly to get the dirt al out /;
some Que strained over the hot fiat irons
to make this shirt so glossy; some one
spent an hour, perhaps while he slept,
to darn those unsightly holes in the
heel of these stockings. And it a
farmer, it was his wife most probah|y
tha, did it all and not this one only,
but every week, as sure as the week
comes round. Now, he does apprecl'
ate cleanliness, Notwithstanding his
protestations against washing days and
house cleaning; is he willing to OWL
that it is worth anything in money if
done by his wife?
Then comes the case Of the milk and
butter. Every day it must be attended
to at the proper time, the cream churn-
ed the butter made, aud carefully work
ed and salted. He is proud that his
wife makes good butter, and quite hap
pv to have customers tell him: "l on
have the best butter of any one around
here But then, are not the COWS his
Does he not furnish the food? Does he
not milk and take care of them ?ls her
part really worth anything in dollars
and cents?
Then, again her energies are taxed
early and late in the care of her child
rem. She is of course, an interested
party here; but then she doesn't pretend
to own but half share. Is it really
worth nothing to soothe, amuSe, correct,
teach and watch over his half of the lit
tie folks as her own2 This is real brain
work. Where is the man who will say