Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-07-29
WHAT FARMERS NEED MOST.
THE ONE GREATEST NEED FOR EACH is A
GOOD, FAITHFUL, LOVING WIFE. BENE-
FIT OF A TRUE MARRIAGE.

A farmer needs to be man of iudg-
ment, sound thinker, teacher, a me-
chanic, a surgeon, a philosopher, etc., in
his management of the farm; but, above
all, his happiness and success as a farm
er, without contradiction, depend on
Gods best gift To man, a good wife.
Without her he is as one adrift on the
sands of the sea; with her, their lives of
devotion linked toward one another,
working hand in hand for the better
ment of each others interests, he will
surely win where Others fail. As says
the expression, it takes all kinds of peo-
pie to make world, SO do we find all
kinds of faamers in the world, and
every type of the farmers wife. 1t is a
fact beyond dispute that the good wife
is the poor farmers capital. Likewise is
she the rich farmers security. Every
young farmer shodld acquaint his newly
married wife with his circumstances. He
should inform her as to his purposes
and plans for the future, and every
undertaking which requires consider
ration.
The lazy, iudOlent youth who would
rather put in the summer catching butter
flies, spend his time in some shady nook
fishing or lettering about the store and
blacksmith shop than help his parents,
grows to manhood, often marries a good,
sensible girl, who sets him TO thinking,
stirs him TO ambition, and he becomes
substantial farmer, and grows into a
man of influence in his community.
Some years ago | was well acquainted
with 4 man and wife, both now dead.
Just before they were married he borrow
ed - 10 pay to the minister. He receiv-
ed horse, bride and saddle from home:
his wife received COW and bedstead
from her home. They started into farm
ing. In a year they undertook to pay
for the place. Both were very saving,
and worked hard. They raised a family
of eight children with two dead. He
soon paid for that farm, and afterward
bought three others and a mill property.
lie was worth 100000 when he died,
which was fine record. They We're
both earnest in their endeavors to do
right, and had method for everything.
However, | know it to be fact that had
she not been true and loyal to his cause
they would have had their noses close
TO the grindstone throughout life.
Some may say he was 4 very good
manager. That is what | want to bring
out; he was a good manager, but let me
tell you so was she. A farmer can have
all the opportunities possible, all the
qualifications man could wish for, be
a clear thinker and of profound judg-
ment, a good farmer and financier; but
if he marries a lazy go-as-you-please
woman, his success is marred forever.
know of hard working farmers SINH
lar To those above mentioned who start
ed on good farms, free from debt, stock
ed, and were given plenty of money by
their successful fathers. These men,
brought up as hard working, saving peo-
pie, got married and now rue the day
they met those women. Their wives,
instead of attending as they should to
their various duties on the farm, were
always ready for parties, to go visiting,
to drive miles away to the theatre, or
at home TO have q continual run of
guests The best Obtainable was put on
the table, and seldom was anything
warmed over or served second time.
They had to have all the latest fads in
shoes, hats and dresses; could keep a
regular seamStresS in employment; SEEM
ed to have use for from two to four SER
wants, but the hard working husband had
to be content with one. But it is not that
way,,nOw, for if the mortgages were lifted
they would be in debt for the very clothes
they wear. 1t is very poor show for
the farmer whose wife sells a hen and a
flock of chickens to raise money to go
the circus.
1t does not require long discussion
to show that the good wife is everything
to the farmer, and is therefore his great
est need and blessing. A good wife
solves many difficult problem. She
has a mind of her own. Many times
will she help her husband to see in a
different light things that were puzzle
to him. She win sympathize with him
as no other can. In his misfortune and
loss she will cheer him to brace up and
try again. She pledges herself at mar
riage to be helpmeet in all his under
takings, TO make the best of life with
him, rich or poor. So if husband and
wife are mutual partners, both their
lives will be crowned with honor, success
and uprightness.-W. G. McClintic,
Johnstown, Penn.