The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1922-09-01
FARMING HONORABLE.
Prize Story by Vermont Woman Puts
Sl0O in Purse.

THE Farmers Wife" a magazine
for farm women recently offered $500
in cash prizes for the 60 best articles
on "Do you want your daughter 10
marry a farmer" The first prize OF
5000 was won by writer from Fair
field Co., Conn.
The second prize of 500 came to
We. mont and was awarded Annette c
Dimock, Orange Co., VT. The third
prize went to an article from New
York. The ARTICLE from the pen OF
the Vermonter follows:
Dear Mary: Your letter saying that
there is nothing that you want SO
much as a chance at farm life with
David makes us very happy
We have had some quiet amuse-
ment over Aunt Florence's objections
From her standpoint, they are natural
enough. One is born 'rural-mlnded
or one is not. Her views have been
distorted by newspaper, magazine,
stage and Government statistics prov
ing the drudgery of farm life. Hap
PLY you realize it's beauty and value.
Life's values are not measured by
such standards as ease of living,
fashionable clothes and carefully
tended hands. Service makes living
beautiful. There is no reason why
farm woman should neglect her per-
sonal appearance. Your splendid
health and David's, with your fine
ideals for home and community life,
would make you shine anywhere.
Both of you love to work and are
especially adapted to country living.
Your tastes are domestic. Your love
for animals and gardening will make
you in sympathy with Davids ven
lures in crops and cows. You delight
to- see the sun rise!
Both of you understand that it Is
the discipline of the farm, the insist
ence of, its duties, the certainties of
its penalties and the great fact that
YOU are working with nature in the
things that make the world go, that
make the farmer broad, self-reliant
forceful individual. Strength is re-
freshed daily because he is dealing
with the elemental facts of life.
David's social instincts match yours.
Denied the finest lectures, concerts,
dramas, your opportunities will be
great for helping to secure worth
while recreation for a large, scattered
needy group. School and church
need your help believe with Bailey,
that "a man cannot be good farmer
unless he is a religious man."
'The Fellowship of the Productive
Life" says Carver, does not offer the
insult of life of ease or aesthetic
endowment or emotional ecstasy. 1t
offers instead, the joy Of productive
achievement of participation in the
Kingdom of God' Read it with
David. @
Do not be disturbed because you
cannot start with all of the labor
savers. Things were shabby when we
began. Half the fun of having
things" is in working intelligently
for them. You will have fairly con-
venient house, running water and
good woodpile! Father jokes about
my measuring a man by water ano
wood but there is more in it than ap'
pears
Your small musical talent enriches
your life. Rosalia has real talent.
feel as certain that she should moi
: marry a farmer as that you should
since it is tc be David. When she
considers marriage, hope that she
may find her husband among one Of
the other honorable professions
Note the other There is no more
honorable profession than farming
but each for the niche for which he
is best fitted to play his part in the
world.
Here comes David. l will let him
read this. Blessings on you both
Your loving Mother Annette G
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