Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-07-19
APPEARANCES. A

APPEARANCES.
SOME WAYS IN WHICH FARM LIFE MA,
BE MADE MORE AGREEABLE. HAVE
No UNNECESSARY OBSTACLES.
Extracts from paper read before Grafton
Mass. Grange by Mrs. NJ. Lizzie Johnson-l
No people are SO negligent Of personal
appearances as farmers. l believe Ia
dressing for ones work; no one expects
a man 10 plow, NOW, clean out stables
or curry horses, In brosdcloth coat and
silk hat. But he should change his
working clothes sometimes and not wear
them even at the barn until they decay
aud drop oil. Ii Is good plan TO have
overalls and Jumper or frocks for the
oirn, aud leave them there week OF
two for barn use only. Then deposit
them at the wsshtub and don clean
suit.
How many Of Us have wanted to leave
the dinner table when the men sat down,
on account Of the barn perfumery: Some
men can be coaxed into donning n clean
coat for the table; others will do IL to
please themselves; while still others can
not be driven, because IL Is too much
work.
Few people are as particular about
their personal appearance AT the table as
they should be. An uncombed head,
dirty dress or apron, does not add TO
ones xttrsetiveness.
Some farmers are not as particular "a
they should be about preparing fruit and
vegetables for market. IL takes too
much time, some saw. IL pays In the
end TO do things well, and IL the varieties
are nicely sorted-No. packed by itself,
and no other quality mixed with II, No.
, and No. hkewise-they look better
and give better satisfaction.
dislike TO see yard full OF old hay
wagons, tip-earts, moving machines,
ploughs, etc. 4 farmer should have all
the improved implements that he can
afford for every one he buys for him
self, he should purchase one as useful
for his wife and dsughter), and he ought
10 have place 10 store them when not
in use A well kept yard adds much 10
the beauty OF place.
MANY times farmers are also negligent
sbout the looks OF the carriages, wagons,
harnesses and horses. The carriage gets
muddy sud is left unwsshed, perhaps all
summer or winter; every time wife or
daughter takes the horse, she has the
muddy carriage and dirty harness TO
look at all the way; likely as not the
harness is tied IN several places With
" hite string. IL men must use such
things themselves. why can't they have
little better for the wife and
daughter: The wives are scarce who do
not enjoy good looking horse and car
risge OF their own. IL farmer has To
drive 20 post office, mill, or for other er-
rand, why not ask the wife TO 60 also,
and vary her mouotonous life: She may
see some familiar faces, while he Is talk
ing politics with Tom, Dick and Harry.
MANY farmers wives lead \ dresry
life. They work from early morn till
late az night, with no time for recrea-
ton or reading. This life they endure
with cheerfulness IL their lsbors are sp-
precia,ed, which, sad 10 say, Is not al
WAYS the case. There are some un-
and unthinking men who ind
no word of appreciation for their faith
ful wives. A few words of appreciation
are sometimes more precious than gold.
Love and appreciation are to woman
" hat dew and sunshine are 10 flower.
They refresh and brighten her whole
life. They enable her 10 cheer her nus
band when cares press heavily upon
him, and 10 be n providence TO her
children. To know that her husbaId
loves her and is proud OF her gives
strength and courage and sweetness and
vivacity.
Let woman's life be pervsded with
such an influence and her heart will blos-
som and sweeten and brighten In per-
petusl youth, and there will be no ex-
cuse for her 10 be untidy in her home,
behind hand with her meals, or TO meet
her husband with frown or cross word.
In order TO have an attractive home
every member must perform his and her
part. and As the force OF habit IL strong
IL behooyes those OF US who are mothers
and fathers 10 begin with the children
when Young and teach them TO form
such habits AS will be a help 10 them
through life.
The presence OF good manners Is no
where more needed or more effective
than in the household, and perhaps no
where more rare. Whenever familiarity
exists. there is q tendency 10 loosen the
check upon conduct which the presence
OF strangers involuntsrily produces 10
besutifying the every day table the
housekeeper rsfines and eduestes her
children.
Bows and girls who are accustomed TO
seeing the best kept for company snd
the common and unclean made TO serve
for family use are not only awkward and
IN az ase among elegant surroundings,
but lose respect for the guardianship
thst does not hold consistency as an es-
seutisl in domestic matters. OF course,
there is such fault IS erring 10 the
other direction. In certain nome
where the mistress declared thar she
held nothing TOO good 10 be put 10 daily
USE, the youngsters OF the lsmiiy ~ore
their best clothes every day until tney
had no Sunday or company toilets raced
with muddy shoes over the originally
handsome carpets, left greasy nnger-
marks upon satin furniture and plate
glass mirrors, and took their share 10
Chipping the delicate china and crystal
that were used as freely and csreiessiy
as stoneware and pressed glass. be
tween these two extremes there Is gold
en- medium.
while children should be habituated
to the use OF handsome articles, tney
should be taught to consider them VITO
respect. There is distinct moral s 10.
f,uence in nice clothes, kept for hign
d.ys and holidays, in best china ana
glass bought out to honor favored
guest. and Ia richer nspery reserved tor
extraordinary occasions. One may own
velvet and satin, without desplslng
homespun. But bear In mind 10 make
the homespun equally worthy OF esteem
II must be neat, clean and whole.
Do not De afraid OF little fun sno
recreation at home. IL you want 70
AiITTlE SUFFERER