4 



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farm lands prolonged my stay ; but sufficient to say I am here, and 

 have come to enjoy the work that was at first so distasteful to me." 



Men not indiffereiit hut often thoughtless. — " I am a farmer's 

 wife, but not one of your drudging kind. I think any woman will 

 agree that we can work from jnorn till eve, if we are so inclined. 

 I plan to do just so much before dinner, and often liave to add a 

 little more steam, but my house is in order and dinner on time, and 

 after the dishes are out of the way, I tidy myself up, and have tlie 

 afternoon for rest. I am fortunate in having a kind husband, but I 

 think the men are often censured for indifference, when it is only 

 thoughtlessness. Just remind them that you liaven't any water to 

 get dinner with, and I know your pail will be filled ; and the wood- 

 box also. Don't do it vourself." 



Bad hcibits formed in good health not easily corrected. — " We 

 get into bad habits of making needless trips from room to room 

 while in good health, when we feel it is not particularly worth 

 while to save steps. These habits cost us dear, however, when at 

 last infirmities come upon us, as they are ahnost sure to do sooner 

 or later." 



Wants hoys and girls to hecome fanners and farmers' ivives. — - 

 " I have the care of thirty little girls and boys, orphans. My 

 heart's desire for them is that they shall become, eventually, farmers 

 and farmers' wives. May I venture to suggest that you will hit the 

 nail squarely on the head if you teach American farmers' wives how 

 to furnish their tables ? Alas, these days of plenty and the over- 

 whelming circulation of cook-books are as destructive to health and 

 happiness as the calamity of poverty. If a farmer's wife is a slave 

 to the palate, she is a destroyer rather than a defender of good 

 heal til — unwittingly, of course." 



Necessary to rest the hody hy feeding the mind. — " As a class 

 farmers' wives are expected to do more work tlian any other house- 

 keepers. As a rule we do our own washing, ironing, taking care of 

 the milk, meat, chickens, which women of other callings do nut do. 

 We do our own sewing, making over an infinite number of old 

 clothes to save the expense of new ones, as the cash, when the hired 

 help is paid, is in the negative. If you can make us understand 



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