316 . FARMING BY INCHES; 



yet my hands will compare favorably with those of any lady 

 in the land. 



The two girls took to their work kindly. They even 

 offered to do that which we did not expect of them. They 

 perfectly gloried in pushing a rake over the ground after a 

 shower ; and when it came to setting out the cabbage-plants, 

 after the peas were gone, they took hold of- that, and beat 

 Kobert and Jack in the quickness and neatness with which 

 they set out the young plants. The girls stayed with us 

 about a month, and during that time gave entire satisfac- 

 tion. When they left us we found that they had improved 

 wonderfully in health and strength, and as they went away, 

 I could not help remarking that they were two of the most 

 robust and hearty girls I had ever seen. To be sure, they 

 were very much sunburned, and rejoiced in freckles ; but I 

 have yet to learn that a sun-tanned face is a disgrace, or 

 that freckles are a bar to happiness. So much for the girls ; 

 now for the outside effect. 



The fact of our employing female labor in our market- 

 garden produced a perfect uproar in the place. It set the 

 whole town by the ears ; indeed, we did not know before 

 that two such quiet people as we could create such an ex- 

 citement. A few praised our actions, but the greater num- 

 ber of the people condemned us in unmeasured terms. 

 " The Arenac Plaindealer " approved of our doings, and 



