Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-09

the reading was good, how long would Il be
until you would forget all about the binding.
do not wish any one to think that 1 con-
sIder appearance Of no consequences. but that
they are of secondary Importance. IL Is due
to ourselves and our friends that we appear
we'll, but VI we cannot do rs we wish let us
do tho best we can, and If we should appear
Mt n disadvantage let us accept the situa-
ton, and make the most Of IL and not
make matters worse by worrying and be-
ing i'll at case. II is trying 20 have 10 en-
terrain persons from whom you can derive
neither pleasure nor benefit, as those living
in new settlements often have TO do, where
persons of different tastes and habits are
necessarily thrown together and compelled
TO interchange c~ivilities without regard to
congeniality.
| was sorely tried when this was the from
tier and sparsely settled. We were depend
ent on each other for neighborly favors,
go a long way. We usually met a number
of our friends Mt n monthly basket meeting,
the smallest portion of the feast for me being
contained in tho basket, each meeting form
ing an era, as IL were, In my life. Seeing
and exchanging thoughts with congenial
friends strengthened and enabled me to bear
patiently the prlvations TO which | was unac-
customed. Besides the minister understood
human nature, and so distributed tho bread
of life that each one received n portion suited
to their needs, n necessity which many min
listers 10 not understand, or at least failed
to do.
just as we were ready to start, l saw Mr..
and Mrs. w. coming to spend the day; we
must stay and entertain them, there was no
help for II, according to the custom of the
country 1t would have been an objectionable
offense TO lave asked to be excused.
| leave the reader to imagine my disap-
pointment which will DO IN easy matter
when tell you what embarrassing people
they were; their thoughts never reached
above or beyond the farm or kitchen; they
not only did not reach, but they had u con-
tempt Tor " book %larnin." They were mar
row minded and bigoted. l can gain nothing
from such people, l thought, neither informn-
ton nor pleasure. | had about concluded to
ask them to excuse me and take the conse-
quences (Which would have been their ever
lasting ill will,) but presently when con-
science was aroused, and suggested thoughts
like these, Z" are you the only one whose COM
fort and pleasure is to bo considered, nave
not they claims that hospitality forbid you to
disregard, doubtless kind feelings prompted
them to come, and If you return rudeness for
civility, where is you boosted superiority ~
better feelings and a sense of right and JUS
tice gained the Rscendency; so removing all
traces of agitation, l went in and bade them
welcome.
Now don't think hypocrite, for l did not
act in that spirit, 1 had conquered self, and
you know Solomon says that, Greater is
he that hath rule over his own spirit, than he
that taketh a city"
real good to myself resulted from it than
would have been likely 10 result from many
basket meetings.
| sometimes wonder why we commit so
many acts of s~elfishness, or thoughtlessness.
How often we do a kind act or speak a sym :
pathizing word which would give pleasure
and cost us nothing, or neglect to do so is not
the result of unkindness, MS often as it is the
want of thought.
A great mistake is often made with the
kindest intentlon) in visiting the sick. 1 can
make my meaning palmer by illustration, 80
/ will illustrate an incident in my own eX-
perience, and | think there are many who
can call to mind similar cases.
L had intermitting fever. on Sunday one OF
our neighbors Gas was their custom) cam
one and all to see the sick, thinking evidently,
that they were showing great kindness. Mrs
- said to me, ~ just heard that you
were sick and l thought we must come and
see y0N, although we had intended to go tC
see another sick friend to-day. but as the days
are long, l thought we could go to both
places; we will go there this afternoon
They had their children with them; we could
not get a girl, our children were small, but
they had been doing the work and helping
take care of mamma; tasks which they per-
formed very cheerfully when alone, but now
that they had company there was no restrain
ing them, so for the sake Of quiet they were
all sent to play.
Then dinner had to be cooked, and the
visitors had to cook it. (Our own family
could have done with a lunch.) There was
no one to tell what to do or where to find
anything but myself. / thought no witness
in court was ever asked more questions than
| I xrou xuhfln 1tnnar xuoc hninH nnnknh NNhnrf
was the soda and lardP Where was the salt
and pepper? Should they make tea or coffee
They asked questions about everything they
did; they seemed to be actuated by kind feel
ings and n wish to please. but what a trial tC
aching head and quivering nerves.
If it Is true that new things make new laws
it is equally true that new cooks do the same
especially if the new cook is a child.
i could not see the kitchen, but l had an
unpleasant impression that it resembled the
bachelors hall, whose " cupboard was a stor,
house of comical oddities, SIGH AS niver was
~neighbors before"
The fact of its being in such a plight, and
bong seen by strangers who might be in
considerate enough to take it rs n specimen
of my housekeeping, and go away and make
remarks about it did not tend to lesson IN.
foyer.
Finally the meal was over and our neigh.
bors left feeling no doubt that they had full.
llllcu IL oCIlplultl luluuCllOug NlSlt iii
sick" so they had to the letter.
Presently another neighbor came in with
a wrapper on she said to me, 81 got dinner
early to-day, and left the children TO wasl
the dishes and TAX care of baby, while
came to see if / could do Something for you.
" Shall not give you a sponge BATH" sh.
said, I" it will cool your fever !" an offer whicl
1 gladly accepted. How it Gained and cool
ed me. She then let down the blinds an
said, now try to sleep while l put thingstC
rights in tho kitchen. She may not have bee
any better at heart than the other neIghbor
but how much more sensibly she acted
Since then l always try to do something 70
the sick when l visit them.
There is another point of which / wish h
speak, that is profuse apologies Mt the table
some will declare that they have nothing I'll
to eat, when they know 1t is all very good
Sometimes an explanation seems necessary
but when it has been made do not refer to
again, for useless apologies are tiresome b
most people. Many a merited reproof ha
been administered; one occurred within m,
knowledge which amused me. A lady VIII
was famed for and prided herself on baking
good mine pies usually disparaged them tina
t particular attention might be drawn to them
One day an elderly gentleman was eatinl
: dinner Mt her table; she passed him II piec
of pie saying, twill you have n piece G
mince pie, L don't know that it is fit to eat.
:" No thank you " he replied, handing the pr
back, If it is not fit to eat | do not want it.
After that she let people judge for themselvo
as to the quality Of her pies,
l once ate dinner with a lady whose plai
quaker style pleased me. When we had 81
down to the table she said, we have not
| very bounteous meal, but II is more than W
give heartfelt thanks for to the Oliver of a
+. good.
In looking back over my life / see that
/ made many mistakes, committed maBy Ell
rors. and received many lessons before l al
rived at my present view Of the subject. Al
though | still make mistakes | get alon
much better thar l used to. | now claim a
| aunt's privilege of advising her nleces.
Good Hints.
> Il Ia a -.