The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-01-17

possible, to help a man economic if he
is good enough to tell her how neces-
sary that economy in order to attain a
desired higher round on the ladder of
success. Why do men treat US as if
we were not capable of understanding
business Rfairs9 I do not maan all
men: there are a few exceptions. I do
not believe that a man makes a success
of farming where his wife does not
lend a helping hand by her encourage,
men5 and showing him that she has en-
tered into all his noble plans with eager
interest. HOW a she do this unless
he tells her those plans9 Farming will
have nc charms for usif we spend
crops before they are made and I hon
estly believe the very easiest way to
do this and not realize that we are
doing it, is to run store bills. There 90
many little things that we buy when
we can have it charged that we could
and WOWLd do without if we paid as we
went. At the end of the year those
little items count up and 10! q big bill.
Then somebody is mad. An honest
merchant will tell you that he charges
you more for goods on time than he
does the man who pays cash every
time. How much think you do you
pay the merchant to hire a man to
keep his books2 Something of course
If he runs a bill for you. It seems to
be a mans nature to grumble when the
bills are sent in and the tired nervous
wife sometimes gets the benefit CD of
the grumbling. Many are very ex.
travegant under this system who
would be astonished at their folly if
they had to pay cash. OF course there
may be times when it seems a necessity
to get trusted but let these times be as
few as possible. If you really need a
thing hire the money to pay for it
rather than have it charged as it will
pay in the long run. When this lesson
is learned and we have a goodly sum
over and above board, how sweet the
cOntentment after toll and the assur-
anc that what our farm produces is all
our own. And then follows. that feeling
Of independence, which money cannot
buy.
We have a nice letter from a girl
who signs simply Lettie. I am sorry
she failed to give me her real neme. I
cannot let you in, my dear, until you
II foil mn ~hn non nRn mould n"Snn
the door wide open and bid you vel
come this week but it is against the
rules, you know.
Sincere is with US this week. I too
have found catalogues and colored
pencils for the little folks a solece on
rainy DAYS. I think they promote
artistic talent, and are so much less
trouble to busy mother than the cut
ting of paper dolls.
MAUy thanks, Eva, for your com
mendation of our chat. Some one has
said that to be q good conversationalist
one must know how to say a great
many things that when summed up
amount to nothing. I am glad that our
circle does not think so but says a great
deal in few words. A good letter is
never too long.
can safely say that there is no bet.
ter or more entertaining company
than good authors and l am delighted
to know that "Old Maid of Eighteen
en- )ys such companionship.
Annie L. joins us this week and her
defence of old maids is good.
l wish you all to remember that If
you do not see your letter in The Pro
GREssIvE FARMER the week I notice
them that they are crowded out by
other matter that was gotten up before
they reached the off 3e.-Aunt Jennie.
Dear Aunt Jemnie:-H9r I am again
and I hope I am welcomed by yourself
and each of the Cousins. I do SO en-
joy reading III Social Chat, especially
Aunt Jennie's letters, every Tuesday.
Iquite agree with Nettie Cross and
think her letter good; hope she will
write again next month. I think we
''old maids" should not be looked
down upon but should be looked up to
as a superior class of beings.
Tennessee Boy, you wish to know
why I am an old maid. Do you7 Why
from choice of course; from what else
did you think9
~AuntJennie, I think the article pub
lished in this weeks PROGRESSIVE FAR
MER, entitled, Their Pocketbook'
splendid, indeed, but if all men are
like JOEL will remain an ''old maid"