Women on the Prairie 



One would meet them trudging alone over 

 the prairie, hunting among the bluffs for stray 

 cattle, or see them helping their husbands to dig 

 out stones, or mounted on a plough or disc driving 

 a team of bulls, or hear tales of how they had 

 helped their husbands to dig wells or build the 

 little shack. In some cases they would hold down 

 the homestead with two or three young children 

 while the husband was earning money (getting a 

 " grub stake," as it is called), or even go out 

 themselves to do the same as cooks while their hus- 

 bands performed the homestead duties. So, as a 

 rule, whether gentle or simple, from educated, re- 

 fined homes or more humble surroundings, for the 

 most part they played their part bravely and cheer- 

 fully in the new life. Most of the younger genera- 

 tion were very young, and though a young girl 

 may willingly enough lend a hand on the home- 

 stead up to a certain age, and even find delight 

 in the care of the young animals rapidly growing 

 up, and in driving and riding, it is to be feared 

 that there comes a time when she is apt to look 

 with disfavour on the environment of the prairie 

 homestead. This is probably still more the 

 case with the town-bred maiden, and even more 

 so with those from the cities of Eastern Canada 

 and the States than such as come from the 

 older lands. 



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