The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-09-21
WHAT THEY DID.
The story OF Bsvy of Women who
went to Farming, and what they
nId. .|I-

IN tue buuInef pI 4oob was oOuReu
to resign my position OF principal over
the 0akwood Female Seminary, as my
health was beginning TO suffer from so
many years Of indoor life. 1t was NOT
without pang that l heard the doctors
decision, for my work was very dear TO
me. sl.. ....I.
WhenI had heard the doctors de-
cision, the question thon to be answered
was, hWhat should do?" Twas en-
tireiy alone in the world so far as fam
lily relations were concerned, and my
school had been my home so long that
q change was a very unpleasant under
taking. MY habits were, and always
had been, very economical, and had
been able to save from my salary, year
by year, until I now had q few thousand
dollars in the bank.
Had I been wealthy, the prospect OF
sitting down and doing nothing would
still have been an exceedingly unpleas-
ant one. Several projects came into
my mind, but none Of them quite salts
factory ones. In this dilemma I be-
thought me Of my dear old friend Anne.
lia Black (of course that is not her
name), and I wrote her OF once. A
fortnight aiterward / received letter
from her, telling me To come out to
Ohio, where she was, and go to cnlti-
waiting little farm, and raise garden
stuff for market.
I confess the plan struck me favor
ably at the outset, but to make assur.
ance still mere sure, Enclosed Amelia's
letter tothe editorof the Agricttiturist,
aud asked his judgment upon the plan.
His answer was very kind one, and
while he pointed out the many difficul.
ties in the way, he thought there was
no doubt but that We could make It pay,
ut least, our living expenses.
Ny mind. was decided 10 try the plan
the momentI read his letter, and then
the question was, "Whom should I ask
to go with meP"
/ ran over in my mind the women
who really ought 10 get out OF school,
md then I decided upon three Of my
former assistants-Mlss Lewis, Miss
Sprague and Miss Dunn. In addition
TO these was our village dress.maker,
Miss Morey, who was sewing her life
away, and little Fannie Allen, whose
father and mother were dead. I sat
down and wrote Amelia l would follow
her advice. ,.-..r..,
Those whom selected to accompany
me gave ready assent, and Ihad many
applications from others. I finished
everything on nv hands, and then
started for Ohio; the others were to
follow me when l had made ready for
them. ftt el7s
Amelia, dear heart, was so cordial in
her welcome that / never, for moment,
felt homesick or tired. She had been
planning for mo, and had gathered to-
gether many facts and items that were
invaluable. We visited the country
lands about, and eventually purchased
fifty.acre tract, Just nine miles from
the heart OF the city, paying fifteen
dollars IN acre fori II.
The land, was told, was excellent
for gardening, and the situation was
charming. Three.iourths OF the tract
was handsome level prairie, and this
was completely surrounded by woods.
Our nearest neighbor was two miles
away.
Idrew up plan for a house, and /
have no doubt II would provoke u smile
did you see 1t. I arranged for six
sleepiug.rooms, a sitting.room, dining.
room, and q large kitchen. The house,
barn, well, cisterns, etc, cost o little
over twenty-five hundred dollars =
evidence that but little was expended
for " fdncy.work." '
When ali was finished I wrote to my
friends to come ont, and by the time
they arrived had purchased furniture
and made the house look like home.
BY this time II WINS October, and We
could only have the ten acres that we
intended to cultivate plowed, and then
put OFF further farming until spring.
The winter was not q lonely one by
any means. We bought n quiet horse,
and every day that was not too stormy
we drove TO the city. We also occupied
our time in sewing carpets, making
strong, coarse clothes for spring, and
reading up gardening.
Early in spring l advertised for a man
and his wife, and was fortunate enough
TO secure sober German couple. We
built o small house for them near our
own, and were right glad when the
weather was settled enough TO let MS
commence outdoor work. Each one
OF us took charge Of some special de.
partment, except Fannie, who was too
young. Our man Joe was not at all
Inclined 10 find fault with any OF our
plans, but took willing hold Of any
thing he was asked to do, and did his
best. gu
Miss Lewis took charge Of the acre
given to miscellaneous" and her
crops were large bed Of strawberries,
peas, and beets. Miss Sprague said
she would look after the acre OF onions;
Miss Dunn, the acre Of parsnips and
carrots !. Miss Morey, the melons,
squnshes, pumpkins, cucumbers, etc. /;
I, the currants and small fruits and
Joe the corn and potatoes, as well as
the care Of the horse and COW.
Farther on in the season ! saw where
another pair Of hands could be used TO
good advantage, and they came to me
In the person OF widow whom Amelia
recommended quiet body who was
friendless, now that she had lost her
husband. To her we gave charge Of
the selling and marketing.
What arrangements had We for the
distribution OF profits? We didn't pro-
pose TO distribute them. The only ar
rangements we had in our community
were as follows we opened an account
wherein we entered the amount Of CAPT.
tai each one brought to the general
| fnnA nd ma n s.rnnd ihnk nnr nnn tinnt,