POEM 



READ AT THE FAIR OF THE HOUSATONTC AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY 

 FRWAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1879. 



BY MRS. L. M. JOYNER. 



Now, a farmer's wife comes at your call for a song-. 

 For that " wives must obey" is en.ioined from above, 



When I sang^ to you last, I will oAvn I was wrong-, 

 For I then sang for lucre ; I'll now sing- for love. 



I was foolish, I'm owning-, to sing to your purse ; 



I forgot 'twas the most cherished part of you men. 

 Though I might have done better, I might done worse ; 



You must pardon the words that I said there and then. 



And to-day I will sing in a far sweeter tone ; 



I will coax, and I'll try if I can, but in part. 

 Give you cause to forget that I last made you moan. 



You may shut up your pocket, but give us your heart. 



I can hear you exclaim, " My dear woman ! to you 

 We our hearts did give up, in the years long ago." 



Yes, I know that you vowed, but I know what you do. 

 We are left in the " outer court," somewhat below. 



Now don't laugh, and say " strange, how they do want to vote ; 



It's not that kind of help I am asking to-day ; 

 'Tis for love in our homes, I am sure that's no moat, 



'Tis our sun, and we've need of its strong, cheering ray. 



Not a love to a wife that is given by small souls. 



In propoi'tion as she, to do work, is a means; 

 Such a love had a neighbor, who went to the polls, 



And while he polled his vote, made his wife pole his beans. 



'Twould have served him quite right, if, instead of the beans. 

 She had polled his old pole with a pole for the beans. 



Do not think its for drudges we women were made. 

 You must not break your ribs if your back you would save ; 



Make us equal in all, and if then we are weighed 

 And found wanting, why, then you may say that I rave. 



Do not think all inventions but helps for the men. 

 And that women must use the old bowl and the pan. 



When there's Newijian, with Reid's butter-worker, and then 

 M. I. Wheeler has Cooley's late patented can. 



If our homes were made brighter and brightei% you say. 

 All the boys and the girls would so lovinglj- stay. 



That the cry— they arc leaving the farm day by day. 

 Would no longer be heard as the farmers grow gray. 



