The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-05-30
THE HOME GIRL.

In these progressive days, when
every field is open to woman and she
= winning laureIs in the learned pro
fsssiors. it isnot strange il there should
a7me a feeling OF unrest to the hearts
Of those women and girls whose sphere
Of action is limited to the labors and
cares Of home and family, and they
should look with sad and longing eyes
upon the achievements Of their more
favored sisters. and even feel an incli-
nation to desert the part of duty and
strive for liberty and glory.
Bat these women must remember
that the part Of duty is ever the posi-
ton Of honor, whether distinction
crown merit or not, and these laurel
wreaths won by those apparently more
favored are Outlines worn with brows
that are throbb ng, and hearts that are
starving, starving for the nourish
nent that loving companionship
brings.
That sphere of action which devel.
OBS the life and character to the full
zst. and calls forth the noblest and high
est impulses OF our nature, Is the
greatest educator. TIE learned pro
LESSONS may train the intellectual
faculties, and their use 5 imulate eve
some Of the highest q lalIGIee; but the
life that is devoted to home and fam
liz has it's own true mis- sion, and at
lords opportunity for the very highest
igvelopment. There may be less time
tOyead books, but there is more time
70 live books-greater opportunity to
study the needs and requirements of
those nearer to US; and in under
sanding them a truer knowledge is
gained of the great human family,
with a broader development as the
result. Experimental knowledge is
gained and applied, and q character
ls developed from inmost to outer
mos:-.rom the pure impulse OF love,
out through the most intelligent meth
Cd manitestlng that love in good
words and works.
No true wife and mother can be an
ignorant woman, No dutitul daugh-
ter is al ignorant girl. IL may be a
very simple occupation TO cook and
SCRUB, and sweep and bake, to sc
and darn and mend, but it can be Clio
r.Had by love; and the kitchen tenan
ted by q loving heart may be more
charming than any cold, conventional
drawing room. Probably you have
observed the charm that u0conven-
uonal simplicity gives, and when you
think Of rest your heart never turns to
your richest friend, but to some modest
little home where economy in it's strict
est sense must be studied and applied :;
where mother is the center like a SUD-,
and the little ones bathe in the SUM-
shine Of her presence; where a loving
daughter shares the house hold cares,
and welcomes you as a restful or slim
ulaLing variation in their busy life;
where a new dress to her is an event
to be anticipated with pleasure, and
received in gratitude; where its max
ing calls out suggestions from the tin
lest tot of the household, and father
and mother are interested; where Low
ing hands cut and fit, and at their
latent artistic po vers are drawn forth
to combine becoming colors, and fash
ION all into something worthy this
IDOL Of their home, while she in turn
cu!s down her last years gown for a
younger sister. This elder sister, with
eyes and ears open, has provided her
self with Froebel's Education of
Man. " and determines to give the little
ones the rare opportunity she herself
has missed-not lost, for she gains the
double blessing of renewing her child
mood IN their own.
Surely we must all admit that the
Luest spere of woman ia that of queen
u Der home-the loved and honored
vile and mother. But, as all cannot
We wives and mothers, they can be
Sood daughters and sisters, equally
'oVed and honored at home and in so
IIety, and those who feel that their
'NS'er women are more favored need