Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 May 1869 — Farmers’ Wives. [ARTICLE]

Farmers’ Wives.

It has been my fortune to see many farmers’ _ wives who had no sympathy with their husbands’ vocation, and who always seemed envious of the position of the wives of merchants and professional men. Nothing, to my mind, more secures a farmer’s love and confidence than a wife who can enter into the spirit of his plans. It is my fortune to be the wife of a professional man, as well as a thoroughgoing farmer. Not that I have two bus bands, but that both these are combined in the man l am sworn to love and honor, tn the practice of his profession, - as a physician and surgeon, I have a feeling interest in all his patients, whether high or low, rich or poor. But unless I very greatly mistake my husband, there is nothing which give* him more pleasure than my thorough understanding and appreciation of his agricultural and horticultural plans. As we walk over the farm together, and he talk* of a proposed ditch here, and a uhange of lots there, or of trees to be planted for ornament or shade, lam confident that I never give him more pleasure than when I enter into the spirit of the matter, and aid him with my suggestions. To appreciate the fine points of the farm animals that he so much admires, I know elevates me in his regard, which I count a worthy object of ambition. How many farmers’ wives have I seen, as I have attended him on his professional rounds, care-worn and sad, without sym pathy or adaptedness to their mission! How often have I thought that "“they lacked in this, one of the highest"* sources of enjoyment I With no knowledge of their husbands’ doings, and no sympathy with their plans, it seems to me that they had missed their greatest opportunity of conferring happiness on-them. The Object and aim of what I have written is to induce those who are wives of farmers to take a hearty interest in their husbands’ agricultural plans; and they may be assured that this will win from them a counter interest in all their home-work. Instead of growing sad and sour over your lot as the wife of a farmer,.make yourself and husband hap py by oneness of heart and purpose. Instead of depreciating your calling, and envying others, be proud and honor it. It does seem to me that no woman can be so pre eminently blessed as a ‘ farmer’s wife, with a comfortable home of her own, to which she may attach herself for life, and in which she may rear her children, and in which she may. endear them by a thousand recollections, and to which they will always count it their greatest joy to return.— Hearth and Home.