The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-09-24


say, or how much Mrs. Mays warns Martha
Martin to beware of my conduct Do you re-
member how she told her niece never to stOop
to such thing as that, after 1 had run a foot
race with little Billy Green I would not be
unfeminine, but would be healthy, active and
happy. How sad sometimes feel, when re-
feet upon the way that most American women
live! No wonder consumption, and debility,
and constant suffering, are the common lot of
so many of the tried daughters of our glorious
land
"Of the working class-farmers' wives and
washer-women-I rate them together, for their
hardships are equal. How many OF them are
overworked every day; confined in the house
from morning until night; taking care of little
children, and toiling for the comfort of incon-
siderate men who never think of helping them,
but who can say, and impatiently enough, that
tits no wonder women are unhealthy, when
they won't stir out and work in the fields.'
such men are quite plenty in our neighbor-
hood. How can they expect their wives to per
form the indoor labor of two or three healthy
women, and work out of doors in the bargain
We are not healthy like our grandmothers
were, but if we will work till our own feelings
tell us when we have done enough, taking time
enough for outdoor exercise, while we have
the strength left to perform it, know by expe-
rience that we can perform all necessary labOrs
and not die or droop from fatigue, either. am
never sick, and can perform more hard work
than any of my neighbors who spend their
time almost altogether indoors. would not
write these things to you, Birdie, but you are
now manageable, and want to caution you
against those men who would not marry for
other than purely selfish motives.
81 rode up to the house of one of my neigh
bors a few days since, a cadaverous, CHASTITY
looking woman, who has three children, the
eldest being but three years of age. 1 asked
her if she would like ride.
"'pd like it well enough, only these pies amt
done, and that meat must be roasted, and those
towels washed, and there's not water up from
the spring. don't believe Pm able to ride,
anyhow
"'Not able to ride-and at work like this p
ayes, we have four workmen, and Silas
says that they must have good things to eat.
couldn't leave the children, nohOw.'
al answered that had had a pleasant ride,
and If she would mount Flaxy, would carry
on her work and mind her children till she
could return.
"'Well, come in, and we'll see about it.
But there's that quilt in the frames.
Pm obliged to have it in this room, because
! lnusb keep llC BdDg Dy lllc LTO. ClldS egS
we've had to roll it up to make room for the ta-
BILE often enough. I Thought I'd see ifI couldn't
get it out of the way to-day and she straight
ened her weary form, and pressed her dough-
covered hand over her side, when she had fin
ished the last pie.
! "I dismounted, feeling refreshed and vigor-
Gus from the effect of my morning ride, drew
off my gauntlets, threw my hat on the bed and
went TO work. The woman looked on in
astonishment
"'where on earth do you leave your
children p
| "'Mr. Stanton takes them out into the fields,
while ride out. Isometimes take the youngest
with me, but they are both large enough now
to follow him, and will assert my right TO one
or two hours freedom every day.
"T don't see how you can find time to get
away, anyhow. Ihaveto sew constantly, when
my homework is done. Silas wouldn't be
bothered with the children, ether
"I glanced at the quilt, which was suspended
overhead in the only decent room in the house
There were four weeks hard work at least upoI
the quilting, to say nothing of the elaborat'
patchwork.
"'Which would you rather have, Mrs. Hill
good health, or such work as this p
1.-THE question evidently surprised her. 'Yol
could do without it, couldn't you p / asked.
ayes, could. But like to have sucl
! things.'
"'Well, take my advice I answered, 'and le
quilts alone. You have enough TO do withou
toiling at such work as this.'
"'If should stop, what would the neighbour
sayT
"fWhat do they say of me, or what do care
"'If you don't care, IIl tell you what they say.
"'Let's hear it, answered with sauc.
laugh.
sally Norris, my sister-ln-law, says you'C
plaguy sight better be making quilts thai
spending your spare time out of doors, like
|, big tom-boy.'
"'Tell Sally Norris TO mind her own busi
ness was about 10 say, but thought tina
, didn't sound very polite, so said, Tell Sail
Norris that my husband buys blankets an
+ counterpanes, and don't pay doctors bills.'
y "'Just what 1 expected you would say sh
: replied.
"'But won't you take the ride? p
"fNo, have blister on my side, and it's TO
b sore TO bear the jolting,' and the poor, wear
1 creature sank into a chair. The baby began I
+ cry, and without a moments rest she took
n up and gave it tnourishment(? p from her heate
A breast
: "'You needn't expect to have good babie
when you feed them with side-ache, fever, an
II sour stomachs,' 1 remarked, as came up froI
v the spring with two pals of water.
4 al don't ever expect TO have any enjoyment
. she sobbed in reply. tits one baby aft'
n another, as fast as can count them, and n
= help, and more hard work and less strengt
y every year q
. "This aroused my sympathy; so said, 'Te
= Silas that Pm coming here this afternoon, sci
r invited guest to supper. He may make up h
. mind to get a thorough scolding from
4 woman who won't have more than two childre
in a year, and who VIII play occasionally, ol
= OF DOORS
n 81 went home, prepared dinner for our worl
4 men-and we have half dozen-straightene
y everything up about right, and by two o'eloc
er was off for the afternoon, with Flora ridir
t, behind and Henry before me, upon my favori
n steed. OF course, Maurice was in the secre
n and was well pleased with the object of N
er mission. 1 spent the afternoon in helpiI
as about that quilt aforesaid, and we got it out
m the frames before time to prepare tea. MI
. Hill would not let me help her about the su
- per, so attached the edges of the Quilt, and
- was finished, binding and all, when Silas-a
the neighbors call him Silas-came in with h
~ men TO supper.
y "'Pm ready for that scolding, Mrs. stantol
e said mine host after supper.
= SIT isn't worth while to tell you what 1 sal
a Yousknow that I said enough. He limited
NJ first something about people minding the
le own business, but