The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-08-01
ABOUT FARMERS WIVES.
Why they Ought 10 be Happy.


ers' wives are said to have such hard
lot. Much is said lately about farming
in all its branches, both in considera-
ton of profit and pleasure, but it is
generally conceded that whether rich or
poor, farmers wives must work very
hard.
When we first talked of farming, our
friends tried to discourage us, and the
woman's share of the work especially
was held up as little better than slavery.
Slavery! l call it freedom. We bought
a farm; did as | suppose most good
farmers do-subscribed for the Country
Gentleman, and settled down with the
intention of gaining health and strength,
if not money. We have tried it at least
long enough to know what farming is,
and the more experience we get, the
more it seems that it is the most indie
pendent life one can live in these times
What farmers wife does not take pride
in the sweet golden butter she lifts from
her churn? Who has such well fur
nished cellar, with every thing that is
delicious to eat laid by for future use!
Who so free from the evils of fashiona-
BILE dressing as she who can usually be
happy at home in pretty print? 1t is
said that the over-worked wives of
farmers help to fill our insane asy-
lums, but should like to know what
could be more Misunderstanding than
the bondage which the slaves of fashion
in all its details have to endure? Then,
what joy there is in bieng cosy and
comfortable for the winter, with literally
the ''fat of the land" in your cellar!
Or if you prefer to think of more in
tellectual enjoyment, what more refining
than the opportunity of watching the
divine order of nature, the ever varying
moods which accompany the coming
and going of each season? What do
those in cities know of the advent of
spring. They feel the wind, they see
| the mud, and the ladies mark it by the
fashion-book. But We, whom they
style country people," hear the music
of the birds, see the budding of the trees,
and feel the sweet pure air and sunshine
Our children play in the dirt perhaps,
but they grow ruddy with health, and
from the silent influence of nature, gain
broader and more charitable views of
life, just as he who views the wide ex-
panse OF the ocean unconsciously takes
into his mind some noble, higher
thought. When l am weary at the close
OF hard days work, 90 out and slift
up mine eyes unto the hills whence
cometh my help" and sense of rest
fulness and strength comes to me as |
gaze upon the rugged towering noun
tains which / would not exchange for the
o. onf ,f
IDA SMITH ALDEN.
Why they are Sometimes Discontinued.
MEssRs. EDITORs-It is said farmers
wives are more disconnected with their
lot than those in any other walk of life,
l do not believe the statement, for if
they truly love their husbands, and de-
light to minister to their needs, and to
have their houses well kept, their meals
well served, their children well trained,
there is plenty of occupation for their
hands and hearts; and if their minds
are we'll balanced, they must be con-
tent with so much well-doing.
Yet we all know that there are some
farmers who have not been able to in
crest their wives in their occupation.
Why is itP That is the question to be
answered, and doubtless it may receive
many replies closer to the point than the
one l shall give. have lived, howev.
er, in farming country for many wears.
and l fully believe that many farmers
have failed to interest their wives in
their pursuits by not giving them di-
rect interest in them. They are forced
to bear the burdens of the work-to rise
early and work late-and beside the
preparation of the three meals for each
day, they are obliged to keep the house
in order, wash and iron, make and
mend, and tend the children. The wife /
really accomplishes more work in the |
day than does the man of the house. /
And what return does she receiver /
Each farmer must answer this question |
Tor himself; but | fear that few of them |
receive more than board and clothes.
and that the latter are doled out in
small quantities. Now if these women
were given some moneyed interest in the
produce, venture to assert that a great
part OF the sO-called discomfort, which
mars their lives, would disappear, and
smiles would take the place of frowns
that now corrugate their brows, and
draw down the corners of their lips in a
way to injure their good looks. And
then there would be no complaint that
the wife took no interest in the farm.
just make trial of it, my friend.
Tell your wife that she may have all the
money she can make by selling eggs and
raising young chickens for the market
his year. To be sure, you have been in
,he habit of purchasing tea and coffee
With those products of the farm, but
.hink that you would find better re-
urn for the investment if YOU would al