1894 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
3i9 
LEFT-OVERS FROM SYMPOSIA. 
Exchange of Work. 
I N my ideal of what life on a farm should 
be, the wife is the homemaker, and 
the husband the provider. The woman 
directs her energies toward making home 
the pleasantest, most comfortable place 
in the world, herself the most attractive 
person, to those of her household. Sue 
brings up her children in the way they 
should go, uses judgment and good sense 
in the matter of clothing ; spends wisely, 
economizes carefully, and sees to it that 
the moral and physical atmosphere of 
the home is pure and sweet, the food for 
mind and body nutritious and whole¬ 
some. 
The man, in his character of provider, 
supplies the means for doing all this. A 
conveniently arranged house in a sunny 
location, suitable tools, dry goods and 
groceries, vegetables and fruits in their 
season, wood and water in the house and 
money for the hiring of necessary help. 
He will not expect the woman to neglect 
the duties of her particular department 
to assist him in his, by making butter to 
sell, or by doing any out-of door work. 
But it is very rarely that circumstances 
favor this strict division of labor. Sup¬ 
posing, for instance, the farmer’s wife is 
the only woman of the family, has 
delicate health, and is the mother of 
several small children, while the farmer 
is strong and vigorous, and keeps a hired 
man. In such a case I think the two 
men should not only do all outdoor work, 
but also a good deal of the work of the 
house, especially that requiring the out¬ 
lay of physical strength. I think it their 
plain duty to do enough indoors to keep 
the wife from being overworked and run 
down, whether it be much or little. 
To take a case of a different kind, we 
will suppose the family to consist of 
three robust women and one man, not 
over strong, who can afford but little 
outside help in running the farm. Under 
such circumstances, I think the women 
should go to the assistance of the man, 
and be ready to do almost any kind of 
out-door work not physically injurious to 
them. These cases are at the two ex¬ 
tremes, and of those that lie between no 
two are exactly alike. Were it possible to 
lay down any universal rule, it seems to 
me it might be this: If the women of the 
family have more or harder work in the 
house than they can do and keep their 
health, then the men should help them 
do it; if the men are “rushed” or over¬ 
worked, and the women are not, then 
the women should help them out of doors. 
If both men and women are chronically 
overworked, then—well, if they can not 
make enough on the farm to hire help, 
it looks as though they had somehow 
missed their vocation, and must make 
the best of a bad matter, or else try some¬ 
thing better suited to their capacities. 
Taking the kinds of work separately, 
it seems to me that cooking, dishwashing, 
sweeping, and the like, come more with¬ 
in the woman’s province, while carrying 
wood, water, and buckets of swill, which 
can be done so much more easily and 
quickly by a man, are more properly a 
man’s work. Excepting in the summer 
time, I think the building of the kitchen 
fire should in general devolve on the 
man. Men, as a rule, are more warm¬ 
blooded than women, and hence expos¬ 
ure to cold is not so great a tax on their 
vitality. It also takes them less time to 
When Baby was sick, we gave her Castoria, 
When she was a Child, she cried for Castoria, 
When she became Miss, she clung to Castoria, 
When she had Children, she gave them Castoria, 
Wk believe there are at least 200,000 
farmers who are not now taking The 
R. N.-Y., who would want it if they 
knew it. Will you give it the introduc¬ 
tion ? We will send you the samples if 
you will use them. 
dress, and when the fire is started they 
can leave it and go about their ciiores, 
while a woman would have to go 
shivering about for some time, with cold 
hands and feet, before the room was 
warm enough to permit of her working 
to advantage. 
If I have seemed to favor the women 
rather than the men in these opinions, 
it is because, in looking around, I see a 
far greater proportion of the victims of 
overwork among the former, and am 
thus forced to the conclusion that custom 
has assigned to them more than their 
share of the burdens incident to farm 
life. 
If both men and women would bring 
reason and common sense to the solution 
of the problem, rather than tradition, I 
think this question of what constitutes a 
man’s or a woman’s duty in any par¬ 
ticular instance, would stand a fair 
chance of being rightly answered. 
L. BOBBINS. 
Stair-Step Savers. 
We moved to a newly opened farm in 
the timber lands of Wisconsin with 
ample means to finish the house already 
begun. Sickness and death came. For 
three summers in succession, the head 
of the house suffered severely—some¬ 
times lying even at the point of death. 
This caused us to postpone again and 
again the work on our house. We 
had at first finished a large room and two 
smaller ones on the ground floor. Finding 
that the cooking stove did not heat the 
house comfortably, wo put our heating 
stove upstairs, where we had also finished 
several rooms. Think for a moment of 
the vast amount of work that upstairs 
sitting-room cost us—not only more 
steps, but climbing steps as well. But 
it was so warm and cosy up there, that 
for three winters we continued to spend 
all the time possible upstairs. One 
spring, a new baby girl came to us, and 
in the fall she was beginning to sit on 
the floor. We must warm the floor, and 
decided to bring the heater down and 
set it in the same room with the other 
stove. After doing this, we were a bit 
more crowded, and subjected to some 
laughing remarks ; but we could put up 
with that as we were quite comfortable 
through a long, dreary, Wisconsin win¬ 
ter. I never realized how much unneces¬ 
sary work I was doing until after the 
change was made. 
This bit of experience seems almost 
out of season and not likely to suggest 
the same way of saving steps in others’ 
daily duties ; yet, the principle involved 
is always the same. There are nearly 
always ways in which the addition of a 
few cents, a few hours’ exertion and a 
generous amount of common sense, will 
do wonders, and cause us to exclaim : 
“ How could we ever have done other¬ 
wise ? Why have we not had matters 
arranged this way before now ?” 
While our house was unfinished, we 
kept flour and meal upstairs. At a fair 
I examined a patent, tin flour bin. On 
the way home I thought, “ A tall tin can 
with tightly fitting cover. Why not use 
a large creamery can ? ” Accordingly I 
stood “three in a row” down stairs, 
filled them, and thus had corn meal, rye 
and wheat flour near at hand, saving 
many trips upstairs. Before we began 
housekeeping in earnest, Mr. Niles sub¬ 
scribed for The R, N.-Y., and it has been 
our constant friend and companion ever 
since—with the exception of one year. 
We have profited by its teachings in so 
many ways, and our sources of informa¬ 
tion pertaining to such matter have been 
so few, that I would like to emphasize 
this truth : Any woman who wishes for 
the most ease and real pleasure while 
doing her housework, should read The 
R. N.-Y. week after week, and try to use 
just as many of its lessons as she pcs- 
sibly can. She will not fail to be cheered, 
to be instructed, and to be benefited by 
Mothers. —Be sure to use “Mrs. Wins¬ 
low’s Soothing Syrup ” for your children 
while Teething. It is the Best. — Adv. 
such reading. While The R. N.-Y. aims 
to “ save steps,” its higher aim is to save 
nerve force with which to enjoy the best 
that is possible for each individual reader. 
MBS. LEVI H. NILES. 
ODDS AND ENDS. 
Colored Handkerchiefs. —I don’t like the 
red bandanna handkerchiefs for common 
use on the farm. A white one if used 
—like some women’s kitchen aprons, for 
everything—is not white at all when it 
appears at the wash tub. I had in the 
house one yard of 25-cent polka dot navy 
blue sateen. I cut it in four squares, put 
the narrow hemmer on the machine, and 
in a few minutes had what appeared to 
be four silk handkerchiefs at about six 
cents each. The bandannas are eight 
cents. The silk (?) handkerchiefs were 
boys’ size—a yard and a quarter would 
be better for the men, and cheaper 
sateen would answer the purpose, wash 
and wear well. mbs. k. b. 
Inconsistencies. —Why are people often 
ashamed of being thought to be scrupu¬ 
lously upright ? A man well advanced 
in years, was one day reviewing and com¬ 
menting on the traits of character in his 
children, and said: “ My William is 
strictly honest; if he owed a man five 
cents he would go two miles out o^ his 
way to pay it. He learned that at school,” 
he added, as if he would apologize for 
what might be considered a sentimental 
weakness. What varying standards of 
right and wrong prevail with many 
people ! It is related of a man who was 
very sympathetic in his feelings, that he 
had been known to borrow $5 of a neigh¬ 
bor to give to a person in distress, whom 
he was so sorry for, and yet he never re¬ 
membered to return the borrowed money. 
Vanity and love of approbation some¬ 
times cause people to do ridiculous 
things, but it is a satisfaction to know 
that the world is keen-sighted to dis¬ 
cover shams, and prompt to laugh at 
them, AUNT BACUEL. 
PRIiNTED PATCHWORK. 
If our HOiils but polee iind swIdk. 
l.ike I lie o'liupubH in us brii/en rinR, 
Ever level and ever true 
To the laeK we have to do. 
We BMill sail seciireJT and ever reach 
The Kortunate Islrs on whose beach. 
The si,{hls we 8e<i and the sounds we hear, 
Will be those of joy and not of fear. 
— l.O.NOKKI.I.OW. 
....Emebson: “One of the mistakes of 
women, is that they distrust men too 
much in general and not enough in par¬ 
ticular,” 
... .New Yobk Pbess : “ Society is not 
without its faults, but it is of positive ser¬ 
vice in advancing the politeness, good 
humor and symmetry of life,” 
IN writing to advertisers please always mention 
Thb Buhai, New Youkeh. 
TAKE 
AYER’S 
the Only 
Sarsaparilla 
AT THE WORLD’S FAIR. 
® IT LEADS 
ALL OTHER 
BLOOD 
Purifiers. 
Farms on the peninsula of Pouthern Maryland 
and Viriflnla: mild, healthy climate; friendly 
people; huntlnx. bshlni;: early veKBiables; fruit, 
plums, berries, poultry, &c.; send for map, catalogue, 
wlthiiprlces. P. H. LA1U1>, 31 Broadway, New York. 
n 1 p p I I y 4800 Acres Good Wheat 
DAnUllin Lands FOR SALE! 
In close proximity to Spokane Flour Mills and short 
haul to tide water, adJolnlDK prosperous town of 
Ilarrlnptop, Wash., on line of the Great Nor.hern 
K It. Fenced and ID cultivation, well watered, live 
dwelilnifs on the land. Average wheat yield last 
year 26 bushels per acre. Will soil whole, or In tracts 
of ISO acres, on easy terms. Makes the most advan¬ 
tageous Wheat farm at a bargain. For particulars 
address CLUUUU iti UKAVEtS, Spokane. Wash. 
Half 
the 
Money 
spent for harness and shoes could he saved if 
they were troated right. Whether leather lasts 
or not depends on the eare it gets. 
Vacuum Leather Oil 
is the care-taker. 
25c. worth is a fair trial—and your money back 
you want it—a swoh with each can. 
I'nr painiihlet, free, - IIOW '.‘O TAKIt CAlUt o.r 
LH.vrilliU," send to 
VACUUM OIL CO.. Rochester. N. Y 
Beecham’s pills arc for 
biliousness, bilious headache, 
dyspepsia, heartburn, torpid 
liver, dizziness, sick head¬ 
ache, bad taste in the mouth, 
coated tongue, loss of appe¬ 
tite, sallow skin, when caused 
by constipation; and consti¬ 
pation is the most frequent 
cause of all of them. 
Book free; pills 25c. At 
drugstores,or write B.F. Allen 
Co.,365 Canal St., New York. 
STUDY. 
A practical and complete Bus¬ 
iness (loltege (kmrse given hv 
MAIL at student s IIOM E. Low rates and 
perfect satisfaction. Trial Lesson and Catalogue 
SS-cent stamp. ItltYANT in 8TK »TTON, 
No. 415 Main Htreet, Buifalo, N. Y 
CANNOT SEE HOW YOU DO 
IT AND PAY FREIGHT. 
, Buys our 2 drawer walnut or oak Im* 
■proved Arm SlngerNewInjcmucliino 
. finely tlniahedy nickel plated|adapted to light 
I and heavy work; |;uaranteed for 10 ifiird; with 
Automatteliohhifi Winder, Relf^Tbreading; Cylln- 
I dor Sbullle, Needio and a completo 
of Hteel AllaehmentNjahippcd any where on 
<{0 Day’s Trial. No money reipiired in advance. 
75,000 now fnuse. World’s Fair Medal awarded machine and attach¬ 
ments. Buy from factory and save dealer’s and agent’s prollts. 
CDITC This Out and send to-day for machine or large free 
I ntL catalogue, testimonials and UllmnscHof the World’s Fair. 
OXFORD MFG. CO. 342 WatachAva. CHICAGO,ILL. 
THEMARYJANEDISHWASHER 
Saves two-thirds the time. labor and 
trouble. No wetting the bards. No dts- 
pgreeable work Pleases everybody. Only 
#3. Every family should have Miiry 
.Fane, Circulars free. Agents wanted. 
J K. Furliitoii iSl Co., Des Moines, la. 
BECKER WASHER. 
A l''uir TViul will convince tho most 
skoptical of its suporiori^ over all 
other Washing Machines. Thousand* 
in use. A<4KNT.S WANTHU 
Circulars Free. Ma<le by 
N. C. BAUGHMAN, York. Pa 
CHAIN AM> OIIABM FHEE WITH EVERY WATCH. 
FREE 
A fine 14k gold pla¬ 
ted watch to evt-ry 
reader of this paper. 
Qp^Ctit this out and send It to us with 
your full natne and address, and we 
will send you one of these elegant, 
richly jeweled, gold finished watches 
by express for exaniinntion, and if 
you thnik it is equal in appearance to 
any $V.5.()0gold watch pay our sample 
price, and it is yours. We send 
with the watch our guarantee that 
you can return it at any time witliin 
one year if not satisfactory, and if 
you sell or cause the sale of aiz we 
will give you One Free* Write at 
once, as we shall send out aamples 
for 60 davH ohiv. Adilress 
THE NATIONAL M’F’C 
& IMPORTING CO., 
334 Doarborn St.. Chicago. Ill. 
PflR QAI F — acres of land, nine miles 
I'l” ”“Lr» from Richmond; two-story 
frame house (on two roads) two to three miles from 
depot. }4.6U cash, or If any to remain, price and 
terius to be arranged. 
JOHN COWEN, Glen Allen, Va. 
ADVEBTISma SATES 
— OF — 
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Standing at the head of the Agrtonltaral Presi. 
goes to every Inhabited section of North America 
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as second-class mall matter. 
THK KUKAL NKW-YUKKiSK, 
Cor. Obambors and Pearl Streets, New York 
