The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-09
Food for Thought.

ur. Editor: 1t was said by a wise
one that patience and perseverance
overcome all things and / hope the
continued invitations to your columns
given TO our ladies. may verify the
truth of the adage. n draw out their
dormant capacities. There are. doubt
less. many who enjoy the experience
OF others. given through the columns
Of our papers, hat have ideas n
opinions of their own equally valuable
and interesting but they lack either
the time or taste for communicating
them. Thinking and talking are very
different from writing. and 10 one
wholly unaccustomed to writing, ex-
cept. perhaps, an occasional letter to a
friend. il is quite an awkward task. L
feel that this is a move in the right
direction. and sincerely hope our
ladies' will lay hold of it. We are not
all gifted with the same powers, but
variety is the spice of life," and
what may seem tame to may be
quite interesting to another.
We are accused of Incidence and
love Of ease, and, in some measure. it
NAV be true: but a farmers wife, with
a large family, has little time for self
indulgence. | do not concede that it
is superiority of intellect that makes
the Northern woman take more to the
pen than we. There may be some
thing due to energy, hut there is much
more due to their domestic
ments. Their houses, their kitchens,
their pantries, indeed everything-in-
doors and outs arranged with an
eve to convenience and lab~or-saving.
and in that they have greatly the adj
vantage of most Southern house-keep-
ers. They are more systematic than
we are, and the result of their system
and conveniences is more spare time,
and their minds are unburdened as
well. and naturally, then, turn more
readily to literary matters.
There is a great want of system with
us. which we should continually seek
to remedy in ourselves, and insist
upon having our daughters trained
Systematically. In former times u
domestic government was such that
we did not realize this want to such
an extent, and, having been brought
up in the old Southern style, it is hard
for us to become iankeeized, Off you
good. l think | am safe in saying that
most of our matrons, especially in the
country, have sorely felt the need of
this improvement Some have profit
ed by the new regime, and either sub
mitted to circumstances or supplied
themselves with the modern contri-
vances for lab~or-saving but there are
still a great many struggling on III the
old beaten track, with the kitchen on
the opposite side of the yard from the
dwelling, the dinner pot swung on a
rack in the fireplace, the well nearer
to the horse lot than the kitchen, the
water to be drawn with a bucket and
pole, &. If those who are SO burdened
with domestic cares would give some
time to reading, and apply the advice
and experience of others to their own
cases, | am sure the benefit to them
selves would amply compensate them
for the time thus spent.
The pleasures of reading are so
varied and lasting. hat no one should
be denied the privilege, or count the
time misspent, and as t. its benefits
their name is legion" To those of
US who are confined at home, these
greetings are specially welcome. they
not only give us glimpses into other
households and cheer US in our daiiy
tasks, but they will help US to a feeling
of sympathy and charity for each
other that will make us more content
ed and better wives and mothers.
Contentment is a pearl which we
should seek to obtain and wear. With
out it all our blessings are as na1pht
and the Injuries of life a bitter morseI
FARMERS WIFE.
Wrs. Editor: In answer &c ole af