THE FARMER'S WIFE MAY BE A LADY. 187 



I believe we may say a lady is one who "suffereth long and is kind," a 

 lady is not ''easily provoked, beareth all things, believeth all things, endur- 

 eth all things." But it is hard to be all this when we are overworked and 

 half sick. Often, rest and medicine will do more to make ladies of us than 

 a sermon or a book on etiquette. We may, as no once else can, absorb into 

 our own being the strength of the hills, the peace of the sky and the patience 

 of the earth; let us not lose all these in a vain attempt to grasp, — not the 

 best things of life but some of its merest externals, adding to all our labors 

 and getting nothing that is worth having in return. Let us pay no regard 

 to any slight put upon us by those who have nothing to do but amuse them- 

 selves. Oh! that every one of us, farmers and farmers' wives, would repeat, 

 as often as we are in danger of repining or wishing our lot other than it is, 

 these beautiful tvords of Francis Kemble, " A sacred burden is this life ye 

 bear, look on it, lift it, bear it solemnly, stand up and walk beneath it stead- 

 fastly." I know no words more full of strength, and help, and meaning than 

 these : 



Let us remember that day by day we are making our destiny, day by day 

 we are choosing our habits, our traits, our homes, or, as Longfellow so 

 beautifully puts it : 



Nothing useless is, or low. 



Each thing in its place is best. 



And what seems but idle show 



Strengthens and supports the rest. 



For the structure that we raise. 



Time is with material filled ; 



Our to-daj's, and yesterdays 



Are the blocks with wliich we build. 



In the elder days of art. 

 Builders vvTouglit with greatest care 

 Each minute and unseen part, 

 For the gods see everywhere. 



Let us do our work as well, 

 Botli the unseen and the seen; 

 Make the house Avhere gods may dwell 

 Beautiful, entire, and clean. 



Else our lives are incomplete. 

 Standing in these walls of time. 

 Broken stairways where the feet 

 Stumble as they seek to climb. 



Prof. Cook: The best of most homes is the woman in the home. We hear of 

 men promising to " love, honor and cherish," and their wives get up, make the 

 fires, get breakfast and then call the men! Such men furuish their wives 

 green poplar wood to burn! 



