"Before any daughter has left our home for one of her own,she has been taught all I know of cleanliness about a house,cookery,sewing,tending the sick,bathing and dressing the new born.She has to bake bread,pie,cake,and cook any meat or vegetable we have.She has had her bolt of muslin to make as she chose for her bedding,and linen for her underclothing.The quilts she pieced and the blankets she wove have been hers.All of them have been as well provided for as we could afford.They can knit,darn,patch,tuck,hem,and embroider,set a hen and plant a garden.I go on a vacation and leave each of them to keep house for her father a month,before she enters a home of her own.They are strong,healthy girls;I hope all of them are making a good showing at being useful women,and I know they are happy,so far at least.""Wonderful!"said Mr.Pryor.
"Father takes the boys in hand and they must graduate in a straight furrow,an even fence,planting and tending crops,trimming and grafting trees,caring for stock,and handling plane,auger and chisel.Each one must select his wood,cure,fashion,and fit his own ax with a handle,grind and swing it properly,as well as cradle,scythe and sickle.They must be able to select good seed grain,boil sap,and cure meat.They must know animals,their diseases and treatment,and when they have mastered all he can teach them,and done each thing properly,they may go for their term at college,and make their choice of a profession.As yet I'm sorry to say but one of them has come back to the land.""You mean Laddie?"
"Yes."
"He has decided to be a farmer?"
"He is determined to make the soil yield his living.""I am sorry--sorry indeed to hear it,"said Mr.Pryor."He has brain and education to make a brilliant figure at law or statesmanship;he would do well in trade.""What makes you think he would not do well on land?""Wasted!"cried Mr.Pryor."He would be wasted!""Hold a bit!"said mother,her face flushing as it did when she was very provoked."My husband is,and always has been,on land.
He is far from being wasted.He is a power in this community.
He has sons in cities in law and in trade.Not one of them has the friends,and the influence on his time,that his father has.
Any day he says the word,he can stand in legislative halls,and take any part he chooses in politics.He prefers his home and family,and the work he does here,but let me tell you,no son of his ever had his influence or opportunity,or ever will have.""All this is news to me,"said Mr.Pryor.
"You didn't expect us to come over,force our way in and tell you?"It was his turn to blush and he did.
"Laddie has been at our house often,"he said."He might have mentioned----"Mother laughed.She was the gayest that morning.
"He `might,'but he never would.Neither would I if you hadn't seemed to think that the men who do the things Mr.Stanton REFUSES to do are the ones worth while.""He could accomplish much in legislative halls.""He figures in the large.He thinks that to be a commissioner,travel his county and make all of it the best possible,to stand in primaries and choose only worthy men for all offices,is doing a much bigger work than to take one place for himself,and strive only for that.Besides,he really loves his land,his house,and family.He says no man has a right to bring twelve children into the world and not see personally to rearing and educating them.
He thinks the farm and the children too much for me,and he's sure he is doing the biggest thing for the community at large,to go on as he does.""Perhaps so,"said Mr.Pryor slowly."He should know best.
Perhaps he is."
"I make no doubt!"said mother,lifting her head proudly."And as Laddie feels and has fitted himself,I look to see him go head and shoulders above any other son I have.Trade is not the only way to accumulate.Law is not the only path to the legislature.
