Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-03-23

who had to work and support herself at that
tender age. She had thirst for knowledge
aud would read and study in all her little
spare moments. BY economy in dress, etc.,
she she was soon able TO support herself and
20 to school some, aud as time passed on she
became a teacher, aud finally the wife Of a
young farmer, who had 10 run in debt for
bis farm. She was faithful in her duties as
helpmeet to him, but did not get much
spending money for her clothing etc., and as
she dsliked to ask him for it, not being ac-
customed to depend upon any but herself,
she concluded to teach the summer school,
as she had good chance, and do her own
work besides. While her school was in ses-
sion her husband fell in the barn and broke
bis leg she then thought she should have to
leave her school to attend him and her other
duties would be more OF course to help him,
but he thought he could get along, and
she continued her school and tho following
autumn they could not have met the pay
ment on the farm had it not been for her
City dollars which she got for teaching, so
instead Of having it for spending money she
cheerfully gave it towards the farm. Now
was not she a helpmeet, and was il not
brought about by her own economy aud edu-
catiou2 have dwelt thus lengthily on this
point Of my subject because it is so all-im.
portant. And now will pass on to notice
other ways 10 which farmers wife may be
a helpmeet. She should not feel above her
calling, for by so doing she would be far be-
meath it, for what is ennobling or what is
any higher calling than the station which
she may Gil when in her proper sphere. On
this latter point, viz, her proper sphere,
many disagree. II she has the intelligence
and education that have spoken Of she will
not be at a loss to know her place aud duty
Independent or irrespective OF the opinion Of
others.
To be good olpmeet she should be inter-
ested in his work aud plans as well as her
own, for they should be mutually connected /;
and not only interested but she should have
such knowledge of the outdoor work and
chores that in case Of emergency, like her
husband being necessarily absent from home
or sick, that she could without Inconvenience
or trouble ther own health permitting) 60 to
the barn, milk, see to the young lambs if
necessary, or even feed the swine; but do
not advocate this to be her sphere as a conf
mon thing it is only 10 extreme cases. Ip
the pressure of business, in seedtime, or har-
vest she may be helpmeet and not be out Of
her proper sphere to be able TO harness a
horse and go to town to get the horse shod,
or to mill, or to get any piece of farm ma
chinery repaired, or to make purchases, or
even to 60 into the field when there is a
shower approaching to help in securing the
hay or grain. But these things depend upon
circumstances If her health aud family
cares will permit, as have before said, and
il she is well it will invigorate aud strengthen
her to be out in the fresh, pure air even
though she may feel fatigued at the time.
Another way Of being helper would be, il
her family cares are not too numerous, that
of keeping his books, for with the education
and active interest that have spoken Of she
would be fully competent to do this. And
think her husband would appreciate this
kind Of help, that is if all husbands consider
the keeping of their accounts as great task
some do; but if the husband has as much
time and talent for this work, should say
let him do it, for it would be moro of help
TO HIM than to do it for him. The true help
meet will use economy at any time, but es-
pecially in hard times she will do all in her
power to lessen expenses she will frugaliza
the cooking department, thus preserving bet
ter health to herself and family. In dress
she will not wish to show an over-fondness,
or to excel others who may be in better cir
cumstances, also in the line Of costly furni.
ture that is more for show than for use al.
though VIC believe in having the necesSaries
and conveniences to make home pleasant and
attractive, but for the luxuries and extras she
will not care, unless she knows they are abun.
dainty able to have them. In reverses Of
fortune she will speak words of comfort and
encouragement, and at al! times she will try
to render home SO pleasant aud attractive by
her very presence, her winning smiles and
gentle tones that her husband will not wish
to spend his time or money at the hotel OIL
in bad company, but will be constrained by
her love and worth to stay at home and bC
helpmeet, companion for her. "Hel
children will arise up and call her blessed
her husband also praseth her Aud she vii
do him good and not evil all the days Of he
life"