Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-07-24
For the VERMONT FARMER.
FARMERS WIVES.

There has been vcry much said Of late in
regard to the duties of farmers wives, and
had concluded that every point had been
thoroughly discussed but "a Farmers
Daughter" in the last issue of the FARMER,
presents some, 70 me, new ideas, and an un-
inviting picture of the farmers home, where
the wife rakes hay and does outdoor chores.
Man is womau's natural protector, and the
man that would not feel it duty to protect
his wife because she aided him in his labor,
must be small specimen Of manhood yes
more, brute and l thank my "lucky
stars" that there are none in this vicinity of
that class. But there are women, true, no.
BILE woman, that do rake hay, feed calves
and pigs, and do other things that their good
sense and judgment tells them is needful
and their husbands, instead of being destitute
of zone spark of true manhood" are true
representatives Of natures noblemen, with
neat, tidy homes, and no blush Of shame
mantes their brow as they introduce their
friend or schoomate to the mistress Of tho
house, at the dinner or tea-table.
Their children are mannerly, and have all
the privileges of church, school, and all
harmless amusements, and are as refined as
the children of mothers that never saw pig
or calf Again, she speaks Of the unfortu-
pate husband whose wife has no more re6ne-
ment or higher aspirations than the day la
borer. And, ask, what is the working
class but day laborers, whether they work
indoors or out? Are they less refined, are
their aims and desires less noble than those
who fold their hands in luxurious idleness
l answer, no. But this is not exactly the
idea. 1t is, that outdoor associations are
degrading. But where is the man that would
drop the ribald jest, the obscene, filthy Lam
guage in the hay field when there were wom-
en-, quicker than in the house, if they were
refined and adylike?
Women, the same as men, never lay aside
their personality. If they lack refinement
and delicacy it is all the same, whether they
rake hay or not, the lack is everywhere ap-
parent. They may put on company airs
and manners, but they cannot wear them
gracefully; the rough, unpublished edges will
show even in the drawing room. And it is
with no feeling Of shame that | say that l
feed the calves, the pigs and chickens, and
if needful and l have time and strength,
help gather the hay for future use. Nor do
consider that my dignity or refinement
have ever suffered in the least in conse-
quence. AS for my work indoors, | have
been able to perform it properly, aud have
known others to do the same. | do not
think it the duty of women to spend every
moment not needed to perform their house,
hold duties, out of doors. No; far from it.
Nor do think any honorable, honest labor
degrading to man or woman, whether it be-
indoors or out.
Were to look for pattern Of patience
or contontment, would 60 among my dumb
| friends of the animal creation, and there
learn such lessons as we never can from our
brothers and sisters Of the human family.
| Content with their lot, they neither grumble
nor complain and the greeting you receive
from them is free from deceit or fattery.
No place better suited to call up our highest,
most exalted emotions, than out in the broad
fields, or in the deep forest. There, sur
rounded by giant trees, or by the countless
beautiful plants and flowers whose perfume
is waited upon every breeze, we can hold
communion with nature, and natures God.
In every tree and shrub, in the smallest leaf
or most humble flower, We find evidence Of
the wonderful power and glory of the Crea-
tor. Were | capable of calling up grand,
noble ideas, l would 60 out under the blue
canopy Of heaven, and there, at the foot of
some towering oak, or by the side OF the
roaring waterfall, invoke natures aid
Can such associations as these, and the
companionship of our husbands and brothers,
be degradiDg2 VIII they detract from our
refinement and make US more careless OF the
comfort and happiness of our honest We
leave it for others to decide. Perhaps We
do not see Alright. There is nothing more
disgusting than a coarse masculine woman
but the fault is oftener traced to early train
ing and the influence brought to bear upon
them in childhood, than the use Of the rake
for no woman with a proper appreciation OF
her duties, will neglect her house aud family
to work out of doors. The resolution Of "a
farmers Daughter" meets my approval as
far as it goes, but think little addition is
needed. | would have it in this form;
ReSolUed, THAT it is the duty Of every
farmer and his family to make home pleas
ant" and happy. And that the husband and
wife shall aid each other in their duties, nor
feel that honest labor is degrading.
MATTE LAWRENCE.