hallowed ministrations of love strew the wayside of life with private generosities. The loftiest sentiments of soul are kindled, into enthusiastic devotion, and are often keyed to heroic self-denial. At this moment, when the whole world turns with wonder and applause to greet the impressive energy, the high achievements in arts, science, and the Christian beneficence which our country has already attained, may we not point with pride to what America owes to her every-day women. FARMERS' WIVES AND DAUGHTERS. BY JENNIE E. HOOKER.* "Whatever strong-armed man hath wrought That goal hath woman also reached, That action hath she done." HILE with all womankind we acknowledge the truth of the foregoing lines and point with pardonable pride to a long list of names of women who have become famous inventors, sculptors, painters, writers, musicians, astronomers, lecturers, physicians, teachers, lawyers, etc.; the fact must not be overlooked that there is a class of women whose life-work demands as much responsibility as that of her favored sisters, whose names grace the records of the gifted women of the century. I refer to the Farmers' Wives and Daughters, whose silent but wonderful influence is felt throughout the length and breadth of the land; a proof of which may be seen in the sketches of the lives of great men, a large percentage of whom were raised upon the farm. And while the biographer readily seizes upon every incident connected with the boyhood days of his subject, and emphasizes the railsplitting, cattle-driving, plowing and hoeing, as if they alone were stepping-stones to greatness, few have been so honest as to admit, that while the surroundings of the farmer-boy were such as to develop self-reliance, perseverance and industry, the greater part of his suc * Miss Hooker won the Cosmopolitan prize for the best article upon this subject. cess is due to the mother, from whom he gained his moral and intellectual strength. The farmer's wife is brought into closer relationship with her family than are her sisters in the city, whose time is much occupied by the demands of society. Her family is her chief society, the development of their virtues and the suppression of their vices her greatest concern. Her every care is centred in her home, her highest enjoyment is the success of her children. If she is possessed of broad and comprehensive views, if the active brain and willing hands are supplemented by a liberal education, how much more easy does her task become. With the daily routine of cooking, scrubbing, sewing, dairy-work, etc., she manages to find time to read the papers, the latest and best magazines, and occasionally a good book, and is thus enabled to talk intelligently of the main issues of the day. The long winter evenings, which are rarely interrupted by callers, are usefully and pleasantly spent in playing games, reading, studying, or in enlivening conversation, just as the taste of the various members of the family may dictate. The boys of such a household are not afraid to go to "Mother" with little vexing questions, making her their confidant of all childish joys and troubles. And as the years roll by and they become bearded men, capable of settling questions which involve the prosperity of a nation, they are always "boys" to the mother, to whom they still come for comfort, and whose wise counsel first guided them into the paths of honor. The daughters of such a mother are taught that they need something more than the mere rudiments of knowledge. Seldom, indeed is the daughter of the "hard tiller of the soil" hurried through the common studies at a boarding-school, then rushed off to a female seminary, where a few months spent in acquiring a smattering of music, drawing and French, puts the finishing touches on a very shallow course; a course which is considered quite complete when the "accomplished" young lady has made her début and secured "a catch." Now music, art and the languages are not undervalued by the farmer's daughter. She longs for, and frequently attains their mastery, but she has been taught by her intelligent mother that these are not enough for the education of one who may be the counsel and guide of the future statesman and the warrior, the diplomate and the artisan. To her care and training may be entrusted the poet and the painter, the jurist and the journalist; around her knee may cluster the Spurgeons, Gladstones, Clays and Websters of the future. For this reason, if no other, her scholastic attainments should be equal to or greater than her brother's. And if she choose to remain single, if the name of wife and mother are never hers, no less does she need a thorough education. For then, freed from the cares of a family, she may be found in the professions, the hospitals, and even the battle-field, where she bravely faces death in order to care for the wounded and offer words of consolation to the dying. If there is one thing that dwellers upon the farm need above all else it is a chance for the higher and broader education of women. Happily the idea is fast losing ground that girls need less knowledge than boys, and hence do not require the same advantages. In many localities the same library, as well as course of instruction is open to both. Thinking minds agree that if the study of mathematics is good for the son, it is equally so for the daughter, for she will answer a thousand questions which he will never hear of-in short, there is nothing included in a college course which should not be understood in a general way by her, into whose hands are to be committed the moulding and influencing of the future citizen. It may be many years before the life of the average farmer's wife and daughter (especially the former) will be what she would wish it, for there is yet much to be done for the uplifting of the country's children. There are many dark corners into which the straggling sunlight shines but feebly; there are many days when "budding flowers and blossoming fruit," as well as the glorious colors of the clouds are alike unheeded because of the rush and hurry of work which taxes both brain and muscle. There are times when heart and hands are filled with cares so heavy that she doubts her ability to lift the burdens, much less carry them safely to a hopeful ending of all trouble. The "hunger for beauty and things sublime" often grows to a settled longing, and few there be who really reach the goal of their ambition. But through it all she has the comfort of knowing that in the life she leads, with all its work and worry, she is more independent than the working women of any other walk of life. The arrangement and disposition of her time is more at her command, than that of any one from the ranks of the large army of "bread winners," who toil in office, store or school-room. "But after the strife and weary tussle, The rarest bliss of eternal life, And the fairest crown of all will be given, |