182 FARM HOMES, Itf-DOORS AND OUT-DOORS. 



blacksmith's forge might be maintained, and save many 

 trips to the village for simple repairs. A large easy 

 wagon and four horses could occasionally convey the lec- 

 ture or church-going portion of these families to town, 

 when there should be something specially worth hearing ; 

 and the same vehicle would be fine for pic-nic expedi- 

 tions and harvest frolics. A good sermon, out of the many 

 now reported in the newspapers, might be selected for 

 reading at some neighbor's house on rainy or snowy Sun- 

 days ; and it would be strange if, even in so small a vil- 

 lage, there might not be an organ and two or three good 

 voices for the accompanying hymns. Such things do 

 good, sometimes more good than is obtained in some 

 stately church, with its imposing fashion and formality. 

 Sewing-Bees might be held, and the women expeditiously 

 help each other through the hurr.y of spring and fall 

 sewing. Husking-frolics and Wood-sawing Socials would 

 occur ; and what to both men and women is often hard 

 and monotonous drudgery, would prove almost a recrea- 

 tion, because of the good clieer of humanity's helpful and 

 inspiring c ^mpanionship. 



Such a NEIGHBORHOOD would be worth while, if only 

 for its interchange of friendly lights on a stormy Decem- 

 ber night ! What mother's heart but would beat braver 

 as she rocks her sick baby in her arms, to know that 

 three minutes distant, were other mother-hearts ready 

 with their sympathetic aid and worthy counsel ? What 

 children but would grow up happier, and better, and more 

 intelligent from having daily companionship with other 

 happy, good, and intelligent children ? What man but 

 would enjoy and profit by the neighborly chat over farm 

 matters, and political aspects, the neighborly help and 

 the pleasant competition in making neat and thrifty 

 homes ? 



