Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-01-04
A True Woman.

Notwithstanding occasional startling ex-
ceptions, it is still true that strong and ster-
ling characters are as rule better devel-
oped in rural community than elsewhere
The very hardships, great, yet not too great,
which environ the young people upon most
of our farms, seem to put iron into the blood
and substance into the fibre, and thus TO
build up manhood and womauhood into
moral and mental as we'll as physical struct.
ure superior to the results seen under other
conditions. That is why Vermont sends out
to the rest of the country so many that
through their lives reflect honor upon their
birthplace. 1t is unseemly to boast, even
where there is much that might be vaunted,
but we at least, who are not to the manor
born, may say some things of our adopted
state that might not become the pen of
native citizen. 1t is surely fact that Yer
mont is and has always been rich in fine
characters,-so rich that she sows them
broadcast over the continent, in eve-y place
to stand out as bright lights, whose beams
shine back upon us to irradiate the onward
track of each succeeding generation. These
thoughts rise up in connection with the sad
news of the death of an Orleans county
farmers daughter, a finely engraved portrait
of whom comes to US in a number of the
Pacific Rural Press, the leading agricultural
journal of California. This picture of Mary
Jameson Locke is accompanied with be-
ographical sketch and a series of reprinted
excerpts from her writings during the years
of her connection with the Press. We re-
print the notice as follows:
Mrs Mary Jameson Locke MARY Mountain of
the Pacific Rural Pressl, was born in Irasburgh
Vermont, June 18th, 1884, OF parents of Scotch de-
scent, as the name Indicates, who titled the soil
was educated in the common schools and acad.
emies OF her native state-in the latter by her
| own efforts-and, after teaching several terms,
| in 1853 came to California and In the same year
was married to ID. NJ Locke, then Of San Fran
cisco, now of Santa Cruz. She leaves two chill
| dren, girl and boy, now at the university In
| Berkeley. From girlhood Mrs. Locke possessed
a very ready pen-a style at once easy and pleas
| ing-and eagerly deyouring all the books and
| magazines that came within her grasp 1t was
soon recognized by her early teachers and friends
| that she was endowed with unusual powers
Many OF her early letters to friends fortunate
enough to receive them fairly sparkled with wit,
|
urged to permit their publication, but without
avail. She occasionally contributed TO the gem
eral press, until the earnest appeals OF the pub
fishers OF the Pacific Rurdi Press induced her to
become a regular contributor OF the charm,
truth and real value OF her articles we need not
speak, for the old readers Of the Rural will re-
member them we'll. OF the esteem In which she
was held by the Home Circle, we need but say
that wherever we have been through the length
and breadth OF the state our readers have testi-
| fed To the value OF the Farm House Chats "
and their appreciation Of the writer As com
panion and friend she was always bright and cheer
iul-incessant In her efforts 10 please and make
happy, and never tiring OF serving her friends
giving up freely any and everything for their com
woman such q wife and mother need we add
that 1t was always bright and CHEEKY. The en-
bers upoa her home hearth were always kept al
full glow. Her own life has always been alb
sorbed In that Of her children, and taking then
to the university at Berkeley last month and sec
ing them entered has been her last work--a work