Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-02-04
THE ovERwORKED FARMERS
WIVES
An Essay by Mrs. J. J. Fessenden.
read at the Farmers Institute,
Jan. %, 1898.

ASoN az tAO G6IMC16 1AbGlGubC,
Jan. %, 1898.
A few days after the close of our
Institute last year, was conversing
with one of the ladies of the commit
tee about the difficulty they had ex-
perienced in persuading the Farmers
wives to allow their names to be
placed on the programme. AS the
Institute was to be held in Cresco, a
general feeling seemed to prevail that
country people of limited experience
could not present anything suitable.
l thought that was not right as our
Institute was for the benefit of the
Farmers, we had no right to expect
the people of Cresco not only to pre-
pare the programme, but also carry
it out. l thought then that every
Farmers wife and daughter who had
been called on, should have stepped
forward and done the best they could,
we'll knowing that the people who
meet with us here would understand
the situation and make due allowance
for all deficiencies.
AT that time l was considering the
matter only with reference to others,
and it is so EASY to know just what
OTHER PEOPLE ought to do. Imagine
my CONSERVATION few days since to
receive Il letter from one of the com
mite which ran thus: please write
a paper for the Farmers Institute
select your own subject, say just what
you think" Now if she had only
said write about poultry, the dairy,
or any Que particular thing, it would
have been so easy to beg to be ex-
cused, as | was not we'll posted on
that particular subject, but it would
really be- little embarrassing for one
to admit they were not posted on any
subject and did not THINK anything.
Besides, there was all my theories of
year ago about what other people
ought to do. So write l must. But
WHAT subject should l choose, and
while was bordering the question a
friend suggested: This would be fine
time to express your views about
the overworked Farmers wives.
That settled the matter at once, for
1t has long been source of annoyance
to NE that we Farmers wives were SO
much pitied.
think there is no subject connect
ed with the farm and farm life which
is SO overdrawn. How seldom do we
see this represented In way which
is true to nature. 1t is either one ex-
IRENE or the other. One writer tells
us we are so overworked in caring
for our children and those exacting
husbands of ours who meyer think
we need any pleasure or money
nothing but hard work. ANOTHER
says we have SO little society or any.
thing that is elevating and refining.
Still another that we are more liable
to insanity than any other class, and
my dear Sisters if we did not know
that this was all nonsense it would
certainly be doleful picture to con.
template; but would rather be rep.
resented as one of fine above mention
ed, than by the class of writers who
never give the people in the country
credit for doing anything but shell.
ling peas, as l detest idlers / suppose
ought to be thankful that it is gen
orally the good wife who is employed
at this task, the others sitting around
in the shade. have often wondered
what they think we do through the
long winter months. Perhaps they
think we raise peas for houseplants
and go right on Smelling all winter
think such Misrepresentation de
real harm. How often do we see
girls who have been employed q.
teachers, typewriters, etc., become
wives of promising young farmers
with no ideas of the duties and re
sponsibililies OF their position save
those gathered from this sentimental
nonsense, expecting only life O
sunshine and flowers and when the
real trials come, as come they will t.
all Of us sooner or later, instead O
going brnEely to work and by patien
Industry acquiring the knowladg.
necessary for good housekeeper
give herself up to fretful repiniDg a
at the hardness OF her lot. l have
always believed such circumstance,
as these caused the following lines t.
be pened.
Dinner to get for six or more.
No loaf left DER from Sunday.
And baby cross as he can be,
He's always so on Monday.
And here's the cream it's getting
sour,
i And must forthwith be churning,
| And Bobs waist wants some button,
/ on.
i Which way shall 1 be turning.
lis time the meat was in the pot
| The bread prepared for baking.
| The clothes were taken from tn,
| boil.
| Oh! dear! that baby's walking.
| OH deari OH dear, if Pa comes
home,
| And finds things in this bother,
He'll Just begin to tell me all