HINTS TO FARMERS’ WIVES.
By Mrs. K. Gibson
I SUPPOSE we farmers’ wives would all like to reach the ideal life, the “art of living prettily in the country.” An old leather-bound Book tells how. We all like to see manly men, gracious women, beautiful children, well-kept gardens, and smooth lawns about a farmhouse; but how to obtain all this is the question. I know of no better aid to the desired end than the words of Jesus: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Early rising has always been a great effort for me, but lately I practice it, and I find that a cool early bath, and an hour’s work in the garden before the children are up, give me strength503for the sultry day and the petty cares that follow. Then I don’t forget to keep plenty of hairpins on hand, for though communion with nature and hairpins, may sound like a fall from the sublime to the ridiculous, it is not; for scarcity of the latter commodity means a twist to the hair, and a knob behind the head, instead of the shining, well-dressed “glory of women” which Paul and Solomon had in mind when they wrote their words of inspiration. How shall I dress the hair? you ask. Every woman must settle that for herself. Find out how your hair looks the best as a frame for your face. See the description of a perfect woman in Cant. 4:3. Let us take time (five minutes twice a day is enough) to dress the hair becomingly, and note the effect on husband, children, and the whole home life.