The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-07-21
What is Our Daughters Value.

Eds. Countrg Gentlemdn-There is a ten
dency of the times to decry women-to talk
of their extravagant ideas, of the cost of their
dress trimmings, ribbons, chignons and hats
aud to say II quote from well-known agricul-
tural paper) that
Your modern country miss, with her Har-
per's Bazar and Pererson's Magazine for the
law and gospel of her attire, is very apt to be
sort of well dressed mortgage-deed upon her
fathers farm, and to become a sort of orna-
mental milestone about the neck of the man
who marries her.
Now 1 consider this statement very incor-
rect, to use the mildest term in our vocabu-
larry.
There may be cases Of such extravagant
daughters. IF there are, the fault lies with
the foolish fathers and mothers, who have
thought that their children were composed OF
fin-r clay than themselves, and have pampered
their appetites, and INDUCED their desires,
until they find themselves with bay figures
upon their han nas-expensive and pretty orna-
ments for the parlor, perhaps, but Of little use
elsewhere. There may be few such isolated
cases, but the rank and file OF farmers dangh-
ters are not made Of any such stuff. They
are good, honest, industrious, well-trained
girls, each fitted TO make an honest, indus
trious man a good wife, and judicious
mother to his children.
And If they have been brought up properly,
they are of as much importance 20 the success
OF the farm as are their stalwart, manly
brothers, and in their department, Of the
kitchen and elsewhere, should receive - much
paw as their brothers. We all know that
women are poorly paid for their work; when
the brother, who works no more hours. and
has his incoming % boot, receives SO per
month, or at least $50, the sister may esteem
herself fortunate " she receives sl2.
"whatp' exelaims neighbor b.. pay my
darter 50 dollars per week IN my own house
for her work Sakes aliyel guess shallT'
Now, friend B.. you pay your son So per
month and his board, for staying with you IN
your old age, aud promise 10 leave him half
the farm at your death. Is not your daughter
Of Just as much worth 10 your wife as your
son Is 10 you? Could she do the daily house
work without her assistance? Who does the
washing every Monday. and all the ironing.
excepting the starched shirts, which mother
knows Just. how 10 finish right9 Who works
every morning from halfpa four or five until
noon-time, cooking breakias', washing dishes.
making beds, sweeping, busting, baking, roast
ing broiling, but the only daughter Of your
house? When dinner IL over the same rout-
inc must be again attended TO. Before tea
time, perhaps she may snatch little time 10
dress up'' tor the evening. Which OF the
two does the most work, the son or the
daughter?
MANS work Is from sun to sun,
But Soman's work is never done
For If she has chance to sit down after she
has made herself tidy and comfortable, why,
there is the mending basket, plled nign win
fathers and Joes stockings ana shlrts; or
there are pantaloons to be patcned, ana coats
to be darned, and the hours OF rest are spent
very frequently only in change OF work.
When .Ioe's work is done, he changes bis
coat. perhaps his pantaloons, and goes to the
nost,ofice or the village store, or 10 the place
where men most do congregate, and smokes
his pipe and hears the news, lolling back in
his chair and taking his ease; or perhaps he
has taste for more refined society than can
be obtained at such places land very lucky it
IS Tor him II he does possess such fastest and
he seeks for it in Miss Marys sitting-room, or
at the village library.
But Annette must sit at home, and read
the newspaper to her tired parents, who per-
haps nod acquiescence to the information she
imparts, or snore in concert. Occasionally
she may be allowed to visit friend in the
village, or to attend the winter singing school,
or Join in sleigh-ride. Yet none Of these
pleasures can be enjoyed without the permis
ion of her parents, and that is as it should
be.
The point that desire to make is this
that farmers daughters have equal rights
with farmers sons in the matter OF wages; |
and when one accomplishes as much work as !