198 ILiLINOIS STATE DAIRYiMIEN'S AJSiSOCIATION. 



the question uppermost in her mind is not "How much will it 

 cost?'' nor even "Will it be becoming?" but "How long will it 

 last and look respectable, so I shall not have to bother to get 

 another?" So much for the city woman. 



Now, how far right is she in her estimate of her country 

 cousin? 



I think she is often farther wrong than the other. Since 

 I have been attending dairy conventions for nearly twenty 

 years, I know my views have changed considerably. I know 

 that the sordid toil from early morning to late at night that 

 seemed to be the lot of many of the women on the farms has 

 been lightened in many ways. I know that the epitaph that 

 a certain country woman asked should be put upon her tomb- 

 stone would not express the views of our energetic, not-easily- 

 to-be-discouraged countrywomen. Listen and see if you don't 

 agree with me. 



"Here lies an old woman who always was tired, 

 For she lived in a home where help wasn't hired; 

 Her last words on earth were, 'Dear friends I am going, 

 Where sweeping ain't done, nor churning, nor sewing; 

 And everything there will be just to my wishes. 

 For where they don't eat, there's no washing of dishes. 

 I'll be where the loud anthems will always be ringing. 

 But, having no voice, I'll get rid of the singing; 

 Don't mourn for me now, and mourn for me never. 

 For I'm going to nothing forever and ever." 



I know that many a farmer's home is brightened by the 

 intelligence of a woman's face. I know that children, both 

 boys and girls, are brought up under the influence of these 

 country mothers who come to our cities and prove large fac- 

 tors in their redemption and aggrandizement. 



I take it for granted that good women everywhere want 

 to help all other women, good, bad and mixed. How can we 

 break down this artificial distinction and quicken the sym- 

 pathy between us all? 



In the first place, let us once and for all put aside the 

 foolish prejudice which is half jealousy on one side and half 

 gratuitous pity on the other. Let us cultivate each other, 

 seeking out each other's good qualities and ignoring the bad 

 ones. I think experience has proven that the very best way 

 to do this is to become acquainted, personal contact. Yoii 



