The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-03-17
HOW WOMEN MAY HELP TO MAKE THE
ENDS MEET.

| WadayS-Whetner they meet or NOT
or what becomes of them. Truth is,
we are not trying so hard to make
the ends meet as the old-time farmers
did.
There were poor people in those
days, too-the poor that we have "al-
ways with us but they were not
the poor in fine houses and raiment
who set such Christless examples
of extravaganza a s are fou n d
today. The shabby ne'er-d we'll
people have little influence; they can
not tempt others to follow in their
footsteps, but, rather, they serve as
an example not to follow, for nobody
-<,a,.tc tc. ,a1o.,cy ~ +lsot. olias.a
The little thief who robs your pan
try or hen roost you can punish no
trouble to convict him of his sin
But the criminal who wears claw
hammer coats, and ruins banks, and
reduces countless honest men and wo-
men to poverty, is apt to find some soft
soul in the jury. Cant agree" is
the new process for keeping big SIM
ners out of Jail but it doesn't apply
at all to the little fellow who steals
loaf to keep from starving.
There was SO little of willful dishon-
esty in the history of this country a
century ago, so few who were unable
to meet their obligations, that there
was then little distrust of one another
among men. A man could buy COW,
or borrow money of neighbor to help
over a tight place, and no security
would be asked of him. His word
was as good as his bond-and SO it
should be. I look upon it as sort
Of insult to ask man to give securi-
ty for small purchase it shows at
once that he is mistrusted.
would not buy of any one who
asked me to give security for small
debt. If had not earned for myself
an honest reputation, by what right
could l ask some one else to stand re-
sponsible? If the man who sells the
goods could not trust me, why should
any body trust me? What has any
one else to do with it? Oh, the rot
tenness OF a system that creates such
distrust and enables men to 60 far
beyond their depths in business ven
| lures
was brought up by my good moth
er in the paths our foremothers trod,
and can see a simple beauty and dig
nifty IN many of the old ways that are
not so discernible in this more luxuri-
ious age. The sterling honesty, the
ceaseless industry, and the willing
ness to do without luxuries, are points
we might we'll ponder over now, while
farmers are wrestling with notes 60
ing to protest and with land they can
neither sell nor advantageously rent,
| Gland which nobody wants to help
cultivate unless they are paid more
for their services than SOME of the
crops bring.)
l believe there never was time in
this country when farmers worked
harder, and under greater discourage
ments thar now, but the women of
the farms are having easier times than
of yore, unless it is those who have
families of little children to care for,
and no help.
A great deal of some women's work
is in the line of luxury, and could be
dropped without serious consequent
ces. Some no longer spin, bleach, knit,
sew, make and mend every garment
that is worn in the family; nor do
they prepare every article Of food for
the table, nor whitewash houses and
fences, make candles, soft soap, scrub
floors, scour andirons, candlesticks,
doorkuobs, &c.
Everything has been made easy for
women; so easy that the pocketbook
is not fattened by the process, nor is
the family healthier or more useful.
The herbs that a grandmother gath
cred, and knew so we'll how to apply,
saved many doctor bill, and helped
the ends to meet more than you might
think. Paying doctors is such un'
profitable business that many people
put it off as long they can but il
would be more honorable to keep oui
of such debts by taking care of the
health and keeping as well as posi-
bic.
Some country people have intro
duced, or tried to introduce, city i'm
provements in their houses, such a.
heaters in their cellars which some
times spoil their apples and potatoes
and bathrooms, perhaps with slende
supplies of water and insufficient sew
erage facilities-all of which could b.
done without if there is any difficult,
in making the ends meet. But wo
men like to have things handy, if the.
die by it.
Many farmers buy bakers bread
it is so handy, and doesn't seem t.
cost much but does any one suppos
that bakers are m kin
bread for the fun of it? From actua
experiment it costs just half as mucl
to make the bread as it does to buy
it. "a penny saved is penny earn
ed." The old time mother woul'
not have bought even a cents wortl
of yeast.
We can hardly count how woman
work may help the ends to meeti fish
bends her energies toward making
the most OF things. The large house
that have been built, the expensive ad
ditions and mordern improvements
the new furniture and entertainment
that have been INDUCED in while som
mortgage or note or store bill remain
ed unpaid-a this is solemn thinI
to contemplate.
My good sister, put down your foo
and say, No building, no finery, moth
ing but essentials, until the debt ]
lifted"-and it will belifted 1t vii
give new life and spirit to the hea
of your house and his heart will swell
and, seeing your self-denials, h
q