62 



GENESEE FARMER. 



Feb. 



LADIES' DEPARTMENT. 



Turning Over a New Leaf. 



OR, HOW TO GET A HUSBAND. 



Messrs. Editors. — I was much pleased wttli the dra- 

 maiic sketch of " Turning Over a New Leaf," in your 

 January number. If you think the following story worthy 

 of being a sequel to if, please publish. It is a true tale, 

 and happened in the neighborhood in which I was born. 

 I have heard my mother relate the circumstances " many a 

 time and oft," and I personally knew the family well. 



Mr. VV had by industry and economy accumulated 



a large properly. He was a man of railier superior mind 

 and acquirements ; but unfortunately became addicted to 

 habits of intemperance. Naturally fond of company, and 

 possessing superior conversational powers, his society 

 was much sought, and he eventually became a sot. His 

 wife was a feeble woman, without much decision of char- 

 acter ; but an only child, a daughter, was the reverse, illus- 

 trating one of those singular laws of nature, that the females 

 oftenest take after the lather in character and personal pe- 

 culiarities, and the males after the mother. 



Mary, for so we will call her, was well aware of the 

 consequences that would be the inevitable result of her 

 father s course, and had used every exertion of reason and 

 persuasion in her power, to induce him to alter his habits, 

 without avail ; his res(dutions and promises could not 

 withstand temptation, and he pursued his downward course, 

 till the poor girl despaired of his reform, and grievous. y 

 realized what the end must result in. 



John D , was a young man from the east, ])ossessed 



of a good common ediication, as. a'l of our New England 

 boys are, and the most indomitable industry and perse- 

 verance — was working on the farm of a neighbor by the 

 month. 



Mary, on going on some errand to the next house, met 

 him on the road with the usual saluiation — 



Mary — " Good morning, Mr. 1) ." 



Joint — "Good morning, Miss VV . How is your 



health." 



Mary — " Well, I thank you — but, to tell the truth, sick 

 at heart." 



Jokn — "Pray what is the trouble — what can eflect a 

 cheerful, lively girl like you, possessing every thing to 

 make you hapjiy ;" 



Mary — •' On the contrary, every thing conspires to make 

 me miserable. 1 aftn almost weary of life — but it is a sub- 

 ject I cannot explain to you, and yet -I have sometimes 



thought I might." 



Juliii—' ' Any ihing that I can do for you Miss W , you 



may freely command." 



Mary — ' That is promising more than yon may he wil- 

 ling to perform ; but to break the ice at once, do you want 

 a wife?" 



John — "A wife ! well, I don't know — do you wan't a 

 husband ?" 



Mary — " Indeed I do, the worst way. — I don't know but 

 3-0II will think me bold, and deficient in that maidenly 

 modesty that becomes a young woman; but if you knew 

 my situation, and the afflictions under which I suff'er, i 

 think it would be some excuse for my course." 



Jokn — '• Have you thought of all the consequences — my 

 situation. — I am poor — you are rich — I am a stranger, and — 



Mary — ' Indeed 1 have, till I am almost crazy. Let me 

 explain — you and every one else know the unfortunate 

 situation of my poor father. His habits are fixed beyond 

 amendment, and his property is wasting like the dew before 

 the sun. A set of harpies are drinking his very heart's 

 blood, and ruin and misery stares us in the face. We arc 

 almost strangers it is true ; we have met in company a few 

 times, but 1 liave observed you closely, your habits, your 

 industry, and the rare and prudence with which you man- 

 age your employer's business has always interested me." 



John — " And yet, my dear young lady, what can you 

 know of me, to warrant you in taking such an important 

 step." 



Mary—" It is enough for me that I am satisfied with your 

 character and habits — your person and manners. I am a 

 woman, and have eyes. We are about of the same age ; 

 so if you know me and like me well enough to take me, 

 there's my hand." 



John — And my dear Mary, there's mine, with my heart 

 in it. Now when do you desire it to be settled ?" 



Mary — " Now, this minute , give me your arm, and we 



will go to Esq. 15 's, and finish the bargain at once. I 



don t want to enter our house of distress again, till 1 have 

 one on whom I can rely, to control and direct the affairs 

 of my disconsolate home, and support me in my determi- 

 nation to turti over a new leaf in our domestic aflfuirs." 



John — " But not in this old hat and shirt sleeves." 



Mary — " Yes, and I in my old sun bonnet and dirty apron. 

 If you are content, let it be done at once. 1 hope you will 

 not think I am. so hard pushed for a husband as that comes 

 to, but I want a master ; I am willing to be mistress, but to 

 be master is more than 1 am equal to ; I will then lake you 

 home, and introduce you to my parents as my own dear 

 husband, signed, sealed and delivered." 



John — " So be it — and permit me to say that I have al- 

 ways admired you from the first minute I saw you, for your 

 beauty, energy, industrious habits and amiable deportment." 



Mury — " Now John if that is sincere, this is the happiest 

 moment of my life, and I trust our union will be long and 

 happy. I am the only one my poor father will hear to ; 

 but, alas, his resoluiions are like ropes of sand. I can 

 manage him on all other subjects, you must take charge of 

 his busines and have the sole control ; there will be no 

 difficulty, I am confident in the result." 



They were married, and a more happy match was never 

 consummated. Every thing prospered, houses and barns 

 were repaired, fences and gates were regulated, and the 

 extensive fields smiled and flourished like an Eden. The 

 unfiirtimate father in a few years sunk into a drunkard's 

 grave. Mary and John raised a large fomily ; he was for 

 many years a Justice of the Peace in his town, and they 

 both still live, respected and wealthy — and all from an en- 

 egetic girl's resolution, fore'hought and courage, and the 

 prudenli.il use of the youn<» lady's privilege of putting the 

 iniliaiory question during the maiden's jubilee of Jjeap 

 Year. H. Y. 



Domestic Economy. — Buckwheat Flour. 



Messrs. Editors : — As flour brings a larger 

 price than usual, just now, and it is not as easy 

 for a poor man to buy a barrel, as when it was 

 but si per barrel, is it not the duty of every man 

 to do all he can to smooth the rough path. of the 

 poor man ? I am of that class, and it is my aim 

 to live as comfortably, and yet as economically, 

 as possible. 



I believe that it is sufficiently well known that 

 buck-wheat flour is a very desirable substitute, in 

 many ways, for wheat flour. Every one knows 

 that buck-wheat flour makes better griddle-cakes 

 than wheat flour. Not only are they preferable 

 for tasie, but I believe nothing is less liable to 

 injure the health when taken into the stomach 

 than buck-wheat cakes. It is rather light food, 

 it is true — that makes it healthy ; but it is suffi- 

 ciently hearty for a man who has his regular 

 meals. 



I have very recently ascertained that it is far 

 preferable to wheat flour for minute pudding. — 

 When made in the same manner that wheat flour 

 minute puddings are made, they are light, (not 

 in color,) and make decidedly a rich dish. 



Corn is already served up in a variety of ways; 

 but almost every week some new manner is 

 brought to lieht. A very rich pudding may be 

 made of corn meal by adding a tea cup full of 

 dried berries (black raspberries are preferable) 

 to three pints of water, and make as a hasty pud- 

 ding. It is very cheap, and when served up 



