Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-06-29

correspondence on pracucAi aSrlcuhnrAi toP.c1
| II solicited. Address all communications In
tended for this department 10 HExnY d. HAN
noxD. Agricultural Editor Oxford Democras
Paris. Ne.
HOME INFLUENCE.
| Written for rurner Grange, June 5, lsf, BY
Mr. v. Y. pcCcster.
IN Won would foretell the future oi
America or any aher nation to-day, e
through the lai and study their homes
for In those homes are being reared tht
children who are TO follow rs, and who
will most surely carry out the precepts
taught them now, for good or i'll.
The foundation Of character is laid 10
the home. Other influences In later life
may seem TO overlie or undermine that
character, but 1t is seldom essentially
altered. Ii Is said that the first seven
years Of child's life govern Its whole
future.
Since the mother has the chief care OF
a child, she Is the one who most strong.
ly moulds the child's character. There
Is no power so great on earth as q
mothers love. Whatever she may be
herself, she desires the best the world
can give for her child. And the purer
aud better the mother is, so much higher
will she endeavor to lead her child. The
truth then Is that the first and greatest
need Of any nation Is good mothers.
And to be good mothers, women must
be fitted and trained for It. do believe
the world Is gradually waking to that
fact, although some Of our papers speak
so slightingly OF the ''new woman," as
one who only wishes TO push herself into
business and politics; yet there Is a
truer, grander trend Of our education to-
wards the home, than ever before. Prac-
teal subjects are receiving more atten-
ton in our schools.
How important II Is that the mother
should understand the laws OF right liv-
ing. .Children are subject TO certain
physiological laws, the observance OF
which is necessary for their health and
comfort. Is IL reasonable therefore TO
expect that women should know some
thing of these laws and Of their opera
ton: II they are ignorant Of them they
will be liable TO commit all sorts oil
bluuders, productive OF disease and
DEATH
To what are we TO attribute the fright
ful mortality Of children In most OF our
large towns, where oue-half OF all that
are born perish before they reach their
fifth year: II women, as well as men,
knew something Of the laws OF healthy
living; about the nature OF the atmos-
phere; how its free action upon the
blood is necessary 10 health; OF the laws
OF ventilation, cleanliness and nutrition
we can but think that the moral, not
less the physical condition OF the human
beings committed to their charge, would
be greatly improved and promoted.
Smiles
There are still far too many girls who
are only taught few tlsshy accomplish
ments,-snd the men who choose them
for their wives are too often caught by
bright eyes or a handsome figure, "and
when they fall in love-" Samuel Smiles
SAYS, "they never bethink them OF
whether the loved one can mend shirt
or cook a pudding. And yet the most
sentimental Of husbands must come
down from his ecstatics so soon as the
knot is tied and then he soon finds out
that the clever hands of woman are
worth far more than her bright glsnces !;
and IL the shirt and pudding qualifics-
tions be absent, then woe to the unhappy
man, and woe also TO the unhappy
woman" For the woman who Is a poor
cook will do much toward driving man
towards drugs and drink. "whom God
has Joined In matrimony, Ill cooked
joints and i'll boiled potatoes have very
often put asunder."
To the young couple Just starting in
married life, would say, II you do not
already own home OF your own, bend
all your energies towards the possession
OF one as soon as possible, be il ever so
humble.
4 few years ago I was introduced TO a
sweet faced, gray-haired woman, who
said. I'VE want YOU 10 come and see Us
AZ our home. We live on farm on Oak
Hill. Our house Is simple, but comfort
able. and we own IT," ln those last
three words lay the secret OF her hospi-
tality and pride-"we own II. In their
simple home they had lived and loved,
suffered and enjoyed, raised their chill
dren, and sent them out into the world
20 make other homes.
The house was full Of love and peace
aud rest, and they o,cRed il.
There was no rent day; no interest
due on the mortgage; no danger OF be-
ing Obliged TO move because the land
lord had sold it; no fear OF the sheriff.
Their children could look back upon
a happy childhood at the old home.
There was always welcome ready for
them and a resting place. Troubles were
soothed, rest gained, and health restored
at Fathers house.
Compare the life of child brought up
in such home TO the one reared In the
rented house, or worse still, In the
modern city flat. What do such children
know Of home in its truest sense.
Pick up city paper and read OF the
numerous houses 10 let-"to families
without children" Is it any wonder
there are so many people without chill
dren: III one follows the fashions chill
dren become an expensive luxury.
Even where people are in moderate cir
cumstsnces, II is grand thing for chill
dren To feel the sense OF ownership In
their home. They will take pride In
helping care for IL, as they grow older.
They will enjoy saving from their earn
ings towards adding to and improving
il.
j. C. Holland has said: at Is not thu
elm before the door Of home that tn
sailor pines for when tossing on the dis
tant sea. 1t is not the house that shell
tered his childhood, the well tina
gave hun drink, nor the humble bee
where ne used to lie and dream. Thes'
msv n, the objects that come to hi
vision as he PAGES the lonely deck, but
the heart within him longs for the s,eee
influences that came through all thes'
things or were associated with them"
There is an unpleasant influence In tn
house where the cloud OF debt hang
over IL. Parents often keep up styi
of living above their means for thei
ehildren's benefit, but really do them
great injury. IL children grow up will
the knowledge that their parents ar
always in debt, they will get so accus
toned to the idea, that debt will lose II
l ..,,n