1889.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 255 



Bear with me while I cite another case. Mrs. M's hus- 

 band fell ill, lingered and died. There was a large family 

 of young children living in an old house, which the husband 

 had intended to replace by a new one. The lumber for this, 

 ordered before his illness, was now upon the ground. Con- 

 trary to the advice and the dark predictions of friends and 

 neighbors, this grand woman carried out her husband's plans, 

 built the new house, and managed the form, though as a part 

 of her duty she felt compelled daily to drive her wagon of 

 milk to town. This she continued to do, to the ever-increas- 

 ing admiration of all, until her oldest son became her first 

 assistant, strong and mature enough to relieve her. No jot 

 or tittle of the lady was abated in this steadfast woman, who 

 worked with both head and hand while it was necessary ; 

 who refused to sell the farm, as she was advised, and con- 

 quered grief and agonj^ by toil for the living. 



" The path of sorrow, and that path alone, 

 Leads to the land where sorrow is unknown." 



Let no farmer's wife fail to maintain the dignity of her 

 calling. It will do her no harm to remember occasionally 

 that the mother and the wife of Washington lived upon 

 estates in the country ; that the Avife of John Adams also 

 lived on a farm. 



There is a proverb which runs, "A man must ask his 

 wife's leave to thrive." The former's wife should attune 

 herself to sympathy with her husband's tastes, should be- 

 come his loving comrade. Is he fond of horses ? She will 

 learn to be. Does he love to raise choice cattle? She Avill 

 not try to thwart his ambition. Is he a dairy farmer? Then 

 she will be glad to have his brand of butter rank high in the 

 market and bear a good name. 



No good woman can live for herself or for her home alone. 

 In the church and in social circles her influence is needed. 

 Her position will be just what she makes it. She should 

 take a keen interest in the public schools ; investigate their 

 methods, their strength, their weakness. She should give to 

 the teacher of her own or other children, interested and 

 intelligent sympathy. If room be made for her, she can do 

 good work on the board of trustees of the public library in 



