The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-07-01
sGladstone's Life of Whitefeld.
A Word of Entreaty.

lhe incarnation of self sacrifice finds its EN-.
bodiment in the souls and bodies of farmers
wives and especially such as are methers. We
refer now to the almost universal disposition
among them to convert themselves into absolute
drudges, simply for the seke of saving a few
dollars, which they believe will advance the hap.
piness and welfare of those they love. Thousands
OF women 60 down to early graves every year,
victims to this deplorable nisapprehension of re-.
suits, OF how they may best serve those they
wish to serve.
AT this season of the year, when the hard and
earnest work of farm-life opens and asserts it,.
demands, and country women are deciding for
themselves the question, we beg leave to put in
an earnest entreaty in behalf of the children
For their sakes, consider that your life and
health are more to them to the very last moment
of your life, than any amount of money you may
be able to lay up for their use. We write from
sad and profound experience. Our own moth
er, proud, ambitious women, with a delcacy
OF constitution too often cbaracterzing our
country women, full of nerve and with great
force of character found herself at the early age
OF thrty.eight "just ready to begin to enjoy life
as che sadly expressed it, obliged to reinquish
ito leave the comfortable home she had toiled
SO hard to win and adorn, and to know that her
children were soon to be motherless. Although
very little girl then, it made an impression
thar subsequent years have only confirmed
OVER WORK, the impulse of which was ioce and
AMBITION for her children, killed her How gladly
would each and all of US part with every dollar
that has come to us, from the basis of her tolls,
If by so doing we could have our mother The
mistake she made, although so palpable to us
now, she saw only when too late.
We we'll remember one day, during the time
when she was rapidly nearing the limit of her
life here, of conversation she had with friend
in which she deplored her mistaken love, and
hoped her own daughters would never do as she
had done. 1t was only the old story of half the
mothers who 60 to heaven great many years
before they ought-working, consciously beyond
her strength, for "only tbs once" but doing it
not only once, but again and again, until the
last possibility was exhausted.
Oh wives and mothers, be wise before it is to }
late! Live so as to enjoy ere'y day of your life.
Ten years hence, or even tomorrow, you may
die. Live so that your presence will gladden.
the lives of your dear ones. more than nything
your hands can win for them. Don't think you
serve them wisely or lovingly by sacrificing
your health with view to economy" which is
never economy, but the rankest extravaganza.
What if the farm be not paid for this year. or
next, or even next? There is not much to fear
so long as you retain your health but erery.
thing to fear if you lose it.
SO, If your best Judgment tells you that you
shall need help this coming summer, follow your
Judgment in the matter. Aside from the children,
and what you eve to them in caring for your
health, you owe equally as much to yourself. You
have right to life aud happiness, if you are a
woman. SO many women act as ii they were Ut
secondary Importance, simply because of their
being women, and married ones, that their ac-
ton provokes comment, if nothing more. On
the subject of Help" we have hitherto had
somewhat to say, 50 that we have now only to
suggest male domestics where females cannot be
procured. An active boy from ten to fifteen
years of age will tighten the labors of house
almost, if not quite, as much as u iull grown do
nestle Such can always 5e had, if not in the
country the city swarms with them, and benev-
olont societies are always ready to supply the
demand.
IL is customary with many women to leave
the decision Of such matters with their husbands,
or the "men folks 1t would be safe and pleas
ant to do so if the "men folks were only what
thew should be, instead of being, oftentimes,
thoushtless, careless, and selfish We have
known men to be "bright and shining lights IN
the church," carry II pious face from Sunday
morning until Sunday night. and assume all the
phases of conventional piety, while, at tho same
time their wives or daughters, or both, were &C.
tually porking Themselves to death under tho ap.
proving smile of their master! The physical
health OF horses and cattle were intellgently re.
garded, but, then, the loss Of wife is "dispen.
sation Of Providence" and tho consolation that
comes in the shape of another is checrfully ac'
ccpted Of at the end OF year.
SO, as long as such men exist, 1t is neither safe
nor advisable to always abide by the decision of
tho "head of the house." unless half Of it. at
least. grows en- your own neck. Tho exercise of
any faculty or quality strengthens and develops
ii and so long as tho Creator, IN his wisdom.
endowed women as we'll MS men with the quality
Of iudgmeut, why should they not exercise it,
ss least in their own behalf.-RoVal Meso Yorker.