Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-05-29
For the VERMONT FARMER.
MORE ABOUT FARMERS WIVES.

am interested In articles in the "La-
dies column" of the FARMER, and especially
one from "a Farmers Daughter" and one
entitled Farmers Wives" From the lat
ter we have hard question for some to an-
swer: "Does it payH" As for us we can
answer simply no. We would not spend
much time in dress Indeed one does not
have much spare time on-a iarm) neither do
we need to look at all slovenly at any time.
We can look as neat and trim getting break
fast with a fresh dark print or a plain linen
collar, or one like the material Of the dress,
with ruff at the throat, large kitchen
apron that will almost cover the dress, and
with the hair brushed neatly back under
net or morning cap, if we have not the
time to give it thorough combing, and we
need not be afraid to be seen by any one in
the forenoon, not by Mrs. Grundy even.
She will look at you and comment: "How
tidy she looks about her mornings work y
And we have more self.respect and feel bet
ter than we would to have got out of our
bed, left our head uncombed, with dirty
wrapper on, and in slip-shod manner done
the earlier duties of the day If our morn
ings attire is not clean, and we have occa-
sion to change, and the time, by all means
don dark print, as the dirty work" is not
all done yet; (no light one in farm house
kitchen for us y the mop has to be used al
most as much as the broom with "dirty men
folks" around. We get nicely settled for
little work, sewing carpet rags patching,
&C., and in come some of the men with their
cow.hidc boots immersed i'll mud to see what
time it is, or get drink Of water or milk,
and leave a footprint of mud wherever
they have been on our clean floor that
moment before we were thinking looked so
nice We rush for the mop and pail, men
tally calculating that we wish all the men
in France as We are now SO agitated we
throw the sewing one side and go into the
cool air, thinking we will make flower bed
blowers add much to the cheerfulness of
home). We are soon down on our hands
and knees in the dirt, making the hard soil
yield to the pressure of our fingers aud ar
ranging the seeds, when the clock striking
tells us it is tea time. Supper over, the
dining room undergoes another "wipe up
after their feet. Then the dishes are to be
nicely washed and put away; then the skim
ming of milk, feeding Of calves and lambs,
the washing of pans and pals, getting things
ready for the night aud also for breakfast
next morning.
Aud We have not given all of one days
work out Of three hundred and Sirty fire.
Is it wonder that women get tired, and
never have time to rest, or that it has been
said that "woman's work was never done,"
or that after the routine Of such daily du-
tics performed so aboriously they vanish
from US and find an early grave?
Would that every mother, wife, and sister
in this Republic might accept the warning
given by "a Farmers Daughter" and make
home happy, reigniug there with Kindness,
patience, aud love at all times, even if you
do have to mop just a little harder to vent
your spite on something, all time doing as
the good Book says; "Be ye angry and sin
NOT
Here let US ask if it is not the duty OF
fathers, husbands and brothers to make
home happy for US as much as is in their
power. We want to see them clean and tidy
as much as they want to see us. If after
their days work was done, they would sub
stitute light slippers for their heavy boots,
their coat for a dressing gown, with, their
combed hair they would be fit to receive
company; with the family thus dressed in a
pleasant sitting room made so by the in-
mates with music and books, it must be the
home that poets sing of where no cross word
is spoken and where men use no language
unfit for the ears of the most refined.
We wonder if they know 1--WE might say
care) how rough words sound to sensitive
persons; if they must use them let it not be
before the family, for what can we expect OF
children but that they will follow in tho
footsteps of their fathers. One Of our little
scholars said to US as we we're correcting
him for swearing, why can't swear fa-
ther does . aud so with any other sins.
ADVANCE.
Fairfax. Man 8.