The Republican journal., 1877-03-01
The Wives of Farmers.

There is probably no avocation in which
| the interests of man and wife are more
fully identical than that of the farmer.
The grand pursuit of farming, which
yields the heaviest percentage of all other
pursuits for the amount of capital and la
Dor expended Farm life is majestic, boun-
tiful, independent; and yet. with all its
| advantages there is too frequently want
of harmony in the families Of farmers.
You have married a woman who is intelli-
gent, industrious and attached to you Be
ing the same yourself, you are well match
ed--qualifed to carry heavy burdens-to
relieve each other Of unnecessary labor
and 10 accomplish a great deal Of good or
evil. Have you ever taken pains to study
the peculiar wants and needs OF the Wo
man whom you have selected as 4 lite
companion? Have you ever thought OF
the influences that were thrown around
her in the home OF her girhood? Do you
think you appreciate one 1.-THE OF the at
lection she bears You? Have YOU ever
attempted 20 form an idea OF the enOrmi-
ty OF hGr dutics-what 1t takes to I'LL the
offices OF Wife. mother housekeeper and
hOme-maker2 How the monOtOnv OF in
door life, subdues and irritates her? The
strain upon mind and body, her mode OF
life incurs she is q good wife, and does
her part we'll DO you encourage her by
word or look DO YOU leave the haras-
sing details OF farm life in the field. that
You may bring pleasant face to your
evening meal She is a prudent wife and
sensible DO Nou discuss farm matters
with her, requesting hel counsel or, at
least, acquiescence When the little ones
are stored away for the night, do YOU take
the woman. who IS dearer to YOU than all
else on earth on Your knee and tell her
how fully she has SlIaled your thoughts
during the day what 4 noble wife she is
how proud You are Ol her III every re-
spert; OF are You too sleepy OF too busy
with the affairs Of life to cultivate home
affection This woman, in whose keep
Ing Yea have intrusted Your honor, nappi-
ness and comfort for liie-i5 capable OF
making Your home Il delightful place to
think of, or be iii the most intoierable
prison on earth. BE careful how you deal
with her Treat her ~ one YOU know to
be Your superior in all virtues. Don't lose
SIGHT of the innate delIcacy OF her feelings. |
Tighten her labors by kindness, encour-
agement and sympathy. Instead OF seat
ing yourself to be waited upon, wait ON
her on are the strongest. and have been
breathing the pure air of heaven all day. |
lntrust yourself in all her little enter
priscs, 10 the Ill oi baby's sock or bib. |
Tell her ALI about your movements on the
farm, ak her opinion OF ncighbora' farm
matters You could not hire better |
counselor. ior She is thinking for you and j!
her family. 1t she is the wlte she ought |
10 he, she will be able to help you in all |
I,ut,1g foil Itnrn
Don't stint her in your supply OF proyi- |
sions Nothing makes meaner wives than |
this eternal iussing about spending money. |
1t is unjust to the wife, and niggardly in |
the husband Remember, for all time, |
that She is as much Interested (and more) |
in making your money go as iar it will,
as you are. And then You are meddling
with matters entirely ont Of you line,
something You know nothing about.
Think, for :, moment. what You would |
have TO pay for a hired housekeeper 10 III
differently perform one-elghth part of the
labor performed by your wife. Would |
= 600 per annum provide YOU with such |
4 hreling? Hear what an eminent writer
says on the subject: Il know a wealthy |
gentleman who offered Just that sum for
a nurserN-g -governess. during the protract-
ed illness Of his wife She must be intel
ligcnt and lady-lihe, he stated, qualified
TO undertake the education of their young
CT children There were six in all, but
there was a tutor for the boys The GOV
erness' bedroom adioined that OF the lit
tie girls, the door of which must stand
open all night. The babys crib was to be
by her bed, and IL child three years old |
was also to have her chamber. She would |
be treated respectfully and kindly, and
every enjoyment Of the luxurious estab-
lishment, compatible with the proper dis
charge of the duties appointed, would be
hers" He could get no one to take the
place ''Ihis is simple fact, and it is preg-
nant with meaning [Coleman's Rural
World