520 INDIANA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS 



directed. Don't say it is not necessary because you are 

 going with the things and can see to them; you might 

 as well undertake to see to a whirlwind, and in that your 

 moveables would not be handled more roughly than they 

 will upon drays, canal boats, steamboats, and wagons, 

 before they are finally tumbled out in a heap at the door 

 of your new home. I do not object, ladies, to your taking 

 all those rich dresses. But I do object to your taking 

 them in any other way than under safe lock and key. 

 For your journey, have nothing in use more costly than 

 plain calico. 



And now, girls, as you cannot well cultivate instru- 

 mental music in a log cabin, nor sport your silks and 

 prunellas through the abundant black mud of a rich 

 western soil, so as to occupy all your time, let me assure 

 you that in that soil you can cultivate lovely flowers, and 

 beautiful shrubs, vines and fruits; and soon cover over 

 the "ugly black walls" of your new house, with climbing 

 roses and fragrant honeysuckles. So be sure that for 

 this you go well provided. You may as well lay in a good 

 supply of "small fixings" such as threads, needles, pins, 

 tape, &c. ; but all the larger articles of merchandise, and 

 such articles of furniture as you will really need, you 

 can get in any of the large towns near your new location. 



My advice is, that you take nothing (excepting articles 

 in the clothing line) that will be superfluous in a log 

 cabin. "But," I hear you say, "surely chairs, tables, and 

 bedsteads, which you direct us not to take, are not su- 

 perfluous." Oh, no; very plain cheap ones are not so. 

 I only want you to count the cost of carriage, and risk of 

 injury and loss, before you decide to move lumber of any 

 kind. 



Another piece of advice, that is very necessary for 

 your happiness to be strictly followed, is, that you come 

 to a full determination, that happen what will of per- 

 plexity or privation, you will keep up a continual cheerful 

 spirit. This also is due to your husband and father, 

 who will need all the smiles and love of his wife and 



