The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-12-19

praised for her ability while an equally
talented housekeepsr is passed by
without comment. / hold one Of
equal value to the other. Is there a
nobler duty than that Of making q
sunshiny home life4 I think not. II
there were higher ideals, why did not
the human heart acknowledge them9
Why does not nature teach themG
Why did Christ pronounce his bless
ing on the sacredness OF the merriege
relation9 There are many noble paths
in life, but that Of mother, home
maker and housekeeper is not the least.
And the woman who, having deliber
atelv made her choice and then sigbs
for other vocations to the neglect Of
her home, is committing a positive
crime.
l think good books and papers in
the home are a necessity just as much
as bread and butter. How many,
many lives are wrecked on the treach'
erous shoals Of bad literaturel Good
books and papers cost but a trlhe more
money in the beginning and obi the
h~eartaches savedI There is no good
reason why a farming community
should not take up and carry forward
some good literary courses of study,
such as the Q. L 8 O. and university
extension offer. Then there are ju-
venile reading courses that tend to
implant the germs of deeper research
in the child's mind. There are town
ship libraries, school libraries, travel
ing libraries and private ownership of
good literature, go that few need to
com plain of the inaccessibility Of good
reading matter. Then there are lee
ture courses for the best talent in tho
civilized world, il you have the energy
and zssl to work up interest and it's
sequence, a good audience.
Music also is a necessity to social cul
ture and the boys and girls who can
entertain their friends with the vic
lin, piano or organ have a talent Of no
small value. But in music, as in lit
erature, the field is wide, and only
good music should be rendered. 1t
should be ones ambition to cultivate
q love for the old masters whose cor
positions embody all the grand and
true. How delightful for q fe friends
to spend an evening together in song |
**k
And remember, no trouble or ex-
pense within ones income ehould be
considered too great in making ones
home attractive. Let your children in.
vite the young people to their own
homes, and do not make the m stake
Of allowing other attractions TO take
the place Of homo. Teach your chill
dren that ore great essential Of social
culture is good manners, and do not
allow the careless romping in the
house which TOO often degenerates into
rudeness and finally rough
Do not misunderst ind me. | do not
wish children to be Rrown.up people,
but the restraining il hIenGe Of grown
up peoples society i5 very beneficial
to the child at times. V sit your neigh
bors and friends as cfGen as possible
aud remember the value of the inter
change of wholesome thoughts.
***
And remember above all else that is
is the constant refining i fIence OF
home that rounds our character. which
10 amount of sc-called finish at board
ing schools or colleges can give. 1t is
The living of companionable lives from
childhood in the atmosphere Of love
that forms happy homes and sends
forth the personality whose il fuence
for good is as the pebble dropped into
the p.acid pool-Rn endless succession
Of ever widening rings.