few of these, believing that tlie experience of the writers of tliese 

 letters will be of value to others : 



Systematic mother hrings up her dauyhter to save steps. — "The 

 extra steps that we are obliged to take make tiie spirit weak as well 

 as the flesh. I find it hard to arrange mj work so as to reduce the 

 steps. There are four little ones and one big one that are con- 

 stantly calling me to step to their time, making it seem like try- 

 ing to march to two-steps and waltzes. I was brought up by a 

 systematic mother who had by long, hard experience learned to 

 save the steps, and constantly enjoined her daughters to do the 

 same, and make their heads save their heels. I have tried that for 

 fifteen years and find it works well." 



More luork accoinplished hy forethought and lohen mind and 

 hody are at rest. — "When I awaken in the morning I do not rise 

 immediately, but I plan the work of the day, and study to see how 

 I may save steps and accomplish as much work. I find that if I 

 go about my work thoughtlessly, I travel over the same gi\3und 

 several times when it is not necessary. Before I learned to do this 

 I would get up suddenly after awakening, and at once feel a sense 

 of hurry which soon became worry, and before the forenoon was 

 over I was exhausted in my efiiorts to see how fast I could work. 

 Kow, when I feel myself getting anxious, I try to relax mind and 

 body, and the work goes more smoothly and I accomplisli more." 



Transform drudgery into ivorJc that is joyful hy loohing On the 

 hright side. — "A few steps more or less don't matter much if tiie 

 breakfast is a success. To enjoy a car ride I must uot confine my 

 attention counting the railroad crossings. I shall miss the flash- 

 light glimpes of hill and vale, and the long stretches of fertile fields. 

 Now, it seems to me the one thing tliat all workers need — perhaps 

 farmers more than town's people — is to keep above the thought of 

 drudgery — to look beyond the toiling to the result, and so trans- 

 form drudgery, which no one enjoys, into work ; and when work 

 becomes spontaneous, it is no longer under the law of necessity, but 

 is joyful and free from strain and pain. I might tell you how cir- 

 cumstances made it necessary for me to leave the school room and 

 come back to the old homestead ; how later on the depression in 



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