SIXTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VIII. 887 



Some 50 years ago a young English couple settled in Waterloo. The 

 man's occupation at home was that of a farm laborer, the woman's, a 

 general houseworker. They had nothing with which to buy land but 

 determined to some day have a farm of their own. So renting two rooms 

 In town to live in, the man would go to the country each morning and 

 break prairie or do other work for farmers, returning at night with the 

 team he hired. The wife, strong and hearty, bestirred herself to do her 

 part and as nothing else presented itself, took in washing, much of her 

 earnings going to pay for food. After a time they had jointly earned 

 enough to lease some land and commenced farming for themselves. 

 "While the man raised corn the woman raised poultry. The eggs and 

 flesh of these fowls were taken to market with the golden rolls of butter 

 made by the wife's capable hands. Still the good housewife did not 

 give up her laundry work but continued to do washing for a few families 

 in town. When I first knew them the finest farm in Black Hawk county 

 was owned by this man. His cattle, sheep and even his deer park (this 

 latter luxury he copied from English lands holders at home) were the 

 talk of the neighborhood. 



This couple seemed proud of the fact that by the united strength of 

 their arms they had been able to amass not only plenty but riches and 

 never hesitated to tell their friends of the early prairie breaking and 

 washing days. The purse in their case had been a joint affair. Some 

 years ago the man died and as they were childless I quite feared the 

 broad acres might be divided between his numerous brothers and sisters 

 and the wife who had done so much be allowed only her half. But from 

 all appearance a will existed making her secure as she is passing her • 

 declining days in luxury. I never see her riding in her carriage but I 

 feel thankful she is enjoying the result of her labors. 



As the family grows and sons and daughters enter the home, the 

 family purse ought to become more elastic. Parents are responsible for 

 their children's board and clothes during their minority, but I hold they 

 should do more than that. At a very early age boys and girls can and 

 wish to assist mother and father in their daily work. As a general thing 

 this assistance is considered due the parents for said board, clothing and 

 schooling. The law allows parents to demand all the work of children 

 until of age, If they so choose. This may be law but is it good sense? 

 We often hear it said, children do not know the value of money. How 

 can they the way we teach it? 



As soon as children begin to help in the work of house of farm they 

 should te considered wage earners and have a right to a share in the 

 family purse. Let mothers say to the little girls now for such and such 

 services I will give you each week so much. It may be only a few cents 

 but let it be justly counted out to the little worker at the promised time. 

 Let them spend it as they see fit, but have one stipulation that the pen- 

 nies for church and Sunday School must come out of this fund, not from 

 a special demand upon the parents. In this way they will learn the true 

 value of the words '"The Lord loveth a cheerful giver." 



Let the father treat his sons in the same way. Many mistakes in spend- 

 ing will result I know. One child will be a miser, another a spendthrift 



