884 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The old families, who we all love to claim as our ancestors, was estab- 

 lished by the mutal co-operatioii of husband and wife. It was the 

 mothers who had the principle care of the children; the father provid- 

 ing for the family. 



Modern schemes to tempt men from the narrow way had not-been 

 invented and women were not clamoring for more rights and falling in 

 love with their coachmen. 



I do not care to vote and think very few women would vote if given 

 the privilege unless at the school elections in which all women who have 

 children to send to school are very much interested. I think the men 

 capable of looking after the Government without our help. 



Now can j^ou give me a good reason why the property should 

 not be divided equal between husband and wife. Can he hire the work 

 done she is expected to do and does do. If you have a good fat-pocket- 

 book you can hire a housekeeper but it makes a vast difference in the 

 cost of running the house, for without personal interest, many of the 

 little economics of house-keeping will not be practiced. 



The part Longfellow has written "Homekeeping hearts are the hap- 

 piest, for those who wander they know not where are full of trouble 

 and full of care: To stay at home is best". 



THE FAMILY PU'RSB, WHOSE IS IT? 



MRS. MATT PAEROTT, WATERLOO, IOWA, BEFORE BLACK HAW^K COUNTY FARMERS' 



INSTITUTE. 



When your secretary wrote me that you would like to have me with 

 you again this year, he asked if I had any new topics added to my repe- 

 toire. I answered no, that I regarded those I arranged last year the 

 same as the alphabet in reading or the eight notes in music capable of 

 having any number of changes rung upon them. 



The most soul stirring hymn and the coon song like depend for their 

 melody upon eight musical sounds. 



The finest oration, the most brilliant sermon and the silent doggerel 

 verse have only the various changes of 26 letters. These have been con- 

 sideFed sufficient for many years to supply the literary and artistic wants 

 of all people. That your committee selected "The Family Purse and 

 Whose It Is," for me to talk about, makes me think they want to be en- 

 lightened as to its ownership. 



When a man ))roposes marriage to a woman and she accepts they are 

 considered, as we say engaged, that is, they have drawn up a con- 

 tract, but the man is not yet responsible for any debts of the woman 

 ;and each party is at liberty to withdraw from the bargain any 

 time, often at the risk of a breach of promise suit, I allow. But 

 Tvhen once their contract is sealed by a minister of other 

 offlcer of the law in presence of witnesses it takes considerable inter- 

 ference of the law to annul such contract. In a business venture each 



