Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-06-04
Yaoies' department.
For the vERnoNr FARrrR.
A Medley on Duties.


have written several articles for the
FARMER over different signatures and my
object was not to improve my rhetoric or
cultivate combatveness, but TO impart All
the information in my power, with the hone
Of receiving an exchange.
enjoy an instructive argument, but tho
senseless wrangle about something TINT
should not interest ladies at all, not only
disgusts but sometimes amuses me.
feel responsible for II in measure. and
correspondingly sorry that those who are
least interested should exercise them
selves to such an extent, without being call
ed upon to do so. 1t was not for the benefit
OF the strong minded, muscular women, that
the question was brought up, but for the over
worked, discouraged houso-keeper who with
difficulty keeps her family looking respeota-
bly, we'll, and often works hard all day and
half the night besides.
Now hope no one will trouble himself
to say that there are no such abused women
in his vicinity unless he should chance to
live in town that numbers ten families and
one respectable farmer.
There are such women and if any one can
suggest way for them to do their own
work and their husbands also, we would be
glad to hear 1t, for many times there Is need
OF 1t, but what possible benefit can be deriv-
cd from the fact that certain woman has
MIXED ten cows and feels proud of II, besides
being lady! i confess l do net see the force
OF that argument. but ms l am charged with
making weak arguments will not criticise
too severely.
am informed that the wives of profess
sional men are just as capable of filling their
husbands places, if they were only given the
same chance. This deny. There are some
women who can and perhaps do assist in
writing sermons, pleas, &C., and could de-
liver them far better than their husbands, but
as a rule, 1t would be impossible for ladies
to succeed In doing this, no matter how olo-
quently they may write.
This principle will also apply to farmers
wives. Some women are by nature stron-
ger and more masculine than their husbands,
and no amount of milking will harm them,
out lady whose muscles have never been
strengthened by masculine amusements and
employment, is no moro fit to milk ten cows
than her husband would be 10 make cake,
or iron his shirt front without practice. No
doubt he could be taught to do it, and she
might learn to milk, but the question is "will
It payP"
1t seems to me to conflict with the setter
nal fitness of things" but may DO wrong.
believe that woman should do everything
in her power, to make her husband and chill
dren comfortable, but don't believe It is in
the power of any woman to care for n fami-
~ properly and work in the barn-yard too.
Ii it can be done let us know how.
In regard to card-playing | wish to say
one word. Having seen several packs of
cards and played numberlcss games, can
speak from experience.
There is more harm done by forbidding,
than by encouraging games at home, and 1t
is better to entertain q "brainless fop " in
this way than to send him to the ballroom
for amusement, although am never annoy
cd with that class efcallers.
consider it much pleasanter. more in
structive and quite as honorable to spend an
evening at cards rs to discuss tho merits and
dement's of'heighbors, ministers, and friends.
Euchre-playIng Is spoken of as the greatest
possible misfortune; it never was Iavorite
game with me. and is now quite obsolete,
but never regretted learning il. Perhaps
some Of your readers heard w. Ii. ii. Muir
rays views on thesubiect. Iagree with him
most fully. 1 once heard story of u good
old deacon in Jericho that will illustrate nv
idea Of card-playing.
lie accidentally learned that his son was
in the habit Of frequenting the barn in COM
pany with cousin, for tho purpose Of play
ing cards. Soon after this he surprised his
son by asking him to invite this cousin to
spend the evening; but what was his aston
lshment when the old gentleman produced II
pack of cards, and asked them TO play with
him. They did so reluctantly wondering
what it meant, but he seemed so pleased
that they enjoyed it quite we'll for n while.
Nine O'Clock came but the deacon did not
notice it; presently one of the boys mention
cd that 1t was getting late, but he was so
much Interested that they were urged to play
again. In this way he kept them playing until
ten and said he had enjoyed the evening so
much they must play again the next evening.
The boys pleaded other engagements but
nothing would satisfy the old gentleman but
another game, 30 they were obliged to con-
sent They were kept playing In this way
for several nights in succession. until they
were completely cured. The charm was gone
as soon MS they could play in their fathers
parlor and with him.
l have no doubt that many inveterate card
players could be cured in the same way. and
II had brother 1t should never be isaid of
him that he learned innocent games at the
'gaming-table." FARMER'O DAUGHTER.