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The Farmer’s Wife. ZION. J. S. MORTON. SECRETARY OF AG° leCUI/I'L'RE FOR THE UNITED STATES. GIVES AN OPINION ON THE DOMESTIC LIFE OF AMERICAN FARMERS, WIVES. -- What do you think of the way our farmers live, .‘lr. Secretary? " I asked -- Would it not be better if til-3:} .Zx-es in villages and not on their far:.=- ’ l “ In many respects, yes,” we: .;.. re- ‘ ply. ’“ The farmer's wife has 3. dr cry lot. She is in most cases little better than a slave to her work and her house. She drags out a sad existence, scrub hing and cooking, with few resources outside of herself. I can't imagine any- thing much worse than her condition, and it seems to me that the European system of farm villages is better than ours. And still, the most of the farms crs’ wives are bright women. They are as a rule industrious and good busi- ness women, but they get little for it. I believe in making women to a large extent the business partners of their husbands. They are not so in the case of most men. Take, for instance, a story I heard the other day about the family of an old farmer in Indiana. The man and his wife had lived to- gether for 50 years. Their children had grown .up and left them, and now, at 70, the farmer found the burden of his work too much for him, and he decided to sell his farm and live on the interest. It was worth $40,000, but when the deed came to be made the farmer’s wife objected. She said she had helped to pay for the farm. She had worked all her life for it, and she was bound to have some of the money that it brought belore she signed the deed. The law- yer and the husband were dumbfound- ed. They had not anticipated such a complication, and at last one of them asked the old lady how much she thought she ought to have. She hesi- tated a moment, and then said that she believed she was really entitled to ask for as much as 82. Of course she got it, but think how little money she must have had in the past to have made such a fuss about this amount. “ I am surprised how mean men are sometimes to their wives,” continued Secretary Morton; “not only farmers but other men as well. \Voman is nat- urally a self-sacrificing creature, and she submits to many a thing a man would not think of tolerating. Speak- ing of little meannesses, let me give you an incident that I saw myself during the days of the war. I happened to be in a store in my town one day, when an old fellow whom we will call Jones came in with his wife to buy some goods. This man Jones came from one of the most celebrated families in the United States. He settled in Nebraska when it was still a territory, and by economy and thrift he had gotten a farm of some- thing like 1,000 acres. 'He was known to have mOney in the bank, and was considered wealthy. Well, shortly alter they entered the store Mrs. Jones took up a piece of calico and admired it very much. As she looked at it she said to her husband : “ ‘Pa, I ought to have a new dress, and I like this Very much. Don’t you think we could afford to buy it? ” “ ‘ Oh, I suppose so,’ replied the old man, and he thereupon asked the clerk the price. He was told it was 50 cents a yard. Old Mr. Jones raised his eyes at this, and asked his wife how much it would take. She replied she did n't think she could get along on less than twelve yards, and he answered: “'Why, ma, twelve yards of that goods at 50 cents a yard would cost 36. Now. don’t you think that is pretty high ? " “‘Yes,’ she replied, ‘I do, but I need the dress.’ “ ‘ Well,’ said the old man, ‘times are hard, and I do wish you could get along without it just now. Couldn’t you ?’ “‘ Yes, I suppose I could,’ replied the old lady, with a sigh, and the calico was dropped. *" A moment later old Mr. Jones ask- ed the same clerk if he had any tobacco, and whether he had any of that good old Virginia leaf that they used to keep in stock. The clerk said: ” ‘ Yes, we have, but it’s awful high. It's 82 a pound. and I think it will go higher before it gets less. We have just one caddy left.’ -‘ ' You think it will go higher,’ rc- plicd Jones. " ' Yes,‘ said the clerk, ‘ it's sure to go up.’ H ~ Well, you might put me up five pounds,‘ said the old man, and a mo- ment later i saw him carrying it out of the store. He had not 86 to spend for his wife's calico dress. but he thought nothing of putting 810 into plug.v tobac- t-o. This is a sample of the kind of treatment $01110 wives are receiving eveâ€" ry day. I don‘t suppose Mr. Jones re- alized his selfishness. He probably lov- ed his wife, but he had been brought up the wrong way." (was Mann no JOSEPH an d? REQUIRED; Worth its cost as a fertilizer Th only safe way to use a Strong Poison FOR SALE BY . Inrvmrs HEARD. Full lines always kept in General Hardware, Stoves and Tinâ€" ware. Agent for Rathbun’s Portland Star Cement. New stock of Mixed Paints, Turpentine, \Vhite Lead, etc. The cheapest store in the county for cash, and the highest prices paid for Sheep-skins, Hides, etc. A FIRE NEW 31’ch 'OF SPRING AND SUMMER READY-MADE CLOTHING JUST RECEIVED AT J08. McFARLAN Are you going to buy :vaeain a Bilth P If so, it will be to your advantage to consult S. S. GAENER. Repairing and Re-painting promptly attended to. Next door to Knox’s blacksmith shop on Francis Street, “FIRMS Falls... Furniture. BEDROOM SUITES BUREAUS SIDEBOARDS EASY CHAIRS LOUNGES CENTRE TABLES MIRRORS PICTURES and other articlesâ€"useful and orna- mental, and the prices are not high. Perhaps you have Pictures slowed awavâ€"ot little use for want ofa frame: Bring them here and have their decorative qualities made the most of. L. DEYMAN, ' ColbOrne-St, Fenelon Falls. _â€" And iarmcrs' wives are no better off money to my “7135”: you Owe in anada than they are in the States. for the “ Gazette,’ almost any Men are as selfish and unreasonable kind of farm Produce W111 be upon one side of the lakes as they are ripen the «henâ€"Ed] ltakeu at market prices. LINDSAY Marble Works. at: R. CHIRBERS as is prepared to furnish the people of Lind- say and surrounding country with MONUMENTS AND HEADSTONES, both Marble and Granite. Estimates promptly given on all kinds of cemetery work. Marble Table Tops, Wash Tops, Mantel Pieces. etc., a specialty. WORKSâ€"In rear 0 the market on Cam- bridge street,oppositc Matthews’ pa:king house. Being a practical workman all should see his designs and compare prices before purchasingelsewhere. ROBT. CHAMBERS. North of the Town Hall SOMETHIHG NEW TO THE LADIES 0F FENELON FALLS AND VIGINITY. A New and Improved System of Garment Cutting, known as the De La Morton French Per fectiOn Tailor System,acknowledged by all leading tailors and dressmakcrs who have tried it to be the best in the world. It can be adapted to any style of dress, from a tailor made costume to the daintiest even- ing gown. Seamless waists cut by the l same system. Ensures a perfect fit. Dress- @ If you have n‘t got making done in all its branches. No extra charge for new system. MRS. J. A. CALDER, McArthnr’s Block, upstairs. Entrance next door to Mr. Robson's store, nearly opposite the Post-Office. DIRECTORY. I’XIGIITS OF TENTED MACL‘ABEES. True Blue hall in McArthur‘s Block on the first and third Tuesday in each month. .4 .--w« {3 t2»- As I was plodding along the highway l I was overtaken by a farm waggoa with eight men in it, all armed with rifles and pistols. The driver kindly pulled up and asked me to ride into town with l them. and alter l was .‘killt‘tl I inquired l oi out o; the men: Bracing a J ury. SOCIETIES. Diamond Tent No. 208. Meets in the .II. E. Arsrrs. Com. APLE mar Tut's liftsâ€"finial: .\'o l C. W. lil';‘.t‘.0\‘.\‘ti. ll K. 42. Regular meetings hold on the ‘ l2nd and 4th \l'edncsday in each month. Hall in hit-Arthur's Block. Jonx McGuxuav. Master. S. MCCL'rcnsox, Deputy Master. Geo. JEWELL. Secretary. CANADlAN ORDER OF ODDFELLOWS. ‘ Trent Valley Lodge No. 71. Meet in the True Blue hall in McArthur's Block on the first and third Mondays in each month. J. J. Nsvrsox, X. G. H. E. At‘srrx, Secretary. O. L. No. 996. MEET 1.\' THE ORANGE . hall on Francis-St. West on the second Tuesday in every month. Lawrs Dumas, W. M. J. T. Tuoursos, Ju., Rec-Sec. INDEPENDENT ORDER of FORESTERS. Court thuix No.182. Meet on the last Monday of each month, in the True Blue hall in McArthur‘s Block. T. Ausrrx, Chief Ranger. HERBERT Saxoronn, R. S. CANADIAN HOME CIRCLES. FENE- LON Falls Circle No. 1117, meets in the True Blue hall in McArthur’s Block the first Wednesday in every month. P. C. eronss, Leader. R. B. Svansrsu, Secretary. A F. AND A. M, G. R. C. THE SPRY . Lodge No.406. Meets on the first Wednesday of each mouth,on or before the full of the moon, in the lodge room in Cunningham’s Block. E. FrrzunuALn, W. M. Rsv. W. Fauxcouu, Secretary CIâ€"IURCIIES. APTIST CHURCHâ€"QUEENâ€"STFâ€"REV. James Fraser, Pastor. Service every Sunday morning at 10.30. Sunday School every Sunday at 2.30. p. m. \ ETHODIST CHURCH â€" COLBORNE l Streetâ€"Reverend T. P. Steel, Pastor. Sunday service at 10.30 a. m. and 7 p. m. Sabbath School at 2.30 p. m. Epworth League of Christian Endeavor, Tuesday averting at 8 o’clock. Prayer meeting on Thursday evening at 7.30. RESBYTERIAN CHURCHâ€"FRANCIS Street Westâ€"Rev. M. McKinnon, Pas- tor. Services every Sunday at 10.30 a. m. and 7 p. 111. Sunday School every Sunday at 2.30 p. m. Christian Endeavor meeting every Tuesday at 8 p. m. Prayer meeting every Thursday at 7.30 p. m. ALVATION ARMY â€"BARRACKS ON Bond Street West â€"-â€" Captain Dodge. Service every Tuesday, Thursday and Sat- urday evenings, and on Sundays at 7 a. m., 10 a. m., 3 p. m. and 8 p. m. T. ALOYSIUS R. C. CHURCHâ€"LOUISA Streetâ€"Rev. Father Nolan, Pastor. Services every alternate Sunday at 10.30 a. in. Sunday School every Sunday at 2 p. m. lT. JAMES’S CHURCHâ€"BOND STREET Eastâ€"Rev. Wm. Farncomb, Pastor. Service every Sunday at 10.30 a. m. and 7 p. in. Sunday School every Sunday at 11.30 a. m. Bible class every Thursday evening at 7 o’clock. 3%” Seats free in all churches. Eucrylmrh/ inritcdto attend. Strangers cordially welcomed. DIISCELLANEOUS. \, 'ECIIANICS’ INSTITUTEâ€"P. KELLY, i Librarian; Open daily, Sunday except- ed. from 10 o’clock a. m. till 10 p. m. llooks exchanged on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 12 u.m. till 3 p. m. and in the evening from 7 to 9. Reading room in connection. TER. Oflicc hours from 7.4011. in. to 8 p. m. Mail going south closes i118 a.m. Mail going uorlh closes at 3 p. m. I)OST OFFICEâ€"F. J. KERR, POSTMAS- éouxrv COUNCIL. WARDENâ€"JOHN Cuaunsus, FENELON. Bexley . . . . . . . . Geo. ELaidluw . Reeve Bobcaygcon . . .J. L. Read . . . . . . {ecve Carden...... . . A. Jacob . . . . . . Reeve Dalton . . . . .. Jos. Thompson . . . {ccvc Eldon Dr.J.\V.Wood Reeve ' ' ‘ ' ' ' ‘ ' C. McDonald Deputy F .1 l W.C.Switzchct-vc ‘m' y "” "" I T. McQuade..Dcpnty ( Jno.Chambers Reeve “new” ------ 1 Wm. Hall Deputy Fonelon Falls. .Jas. Dickson. . . lecve Laxtou, Dighy and Longford John Bailey. . . . Reeve ( Richard Kylie Reeve Geo. Craudell is! Deputy W. .\I. Rhsou ..2ud Deputy “'Lowusbrough Reeve F. Shaver . . . . . 151 Deputy Lindsay . . . . . Mariposa Robert Adam 2nd Deputy .. T. A. McPherson lit-eve Jul uslon E;li.'-I Reeve Samuel Fox . . Deputy John Howie . . Reeve A. .‘lorrisou..Dcputy Jas. Lithgoleccve verulam ’ ' ' ' ' ‘ I John Kelly . . Deputy Woodville . . . . Arch. Campbell Reeve Omemec,... Ops.......... Somerville . . . . David Chambe‘rms, General Blacksmith, Francis-st, Fenelon Falls Blacksmithingm nllitsdiflerenthranchea done on short notice and at the lowest Particnlurnttcntion paid to Give me a calland I will living prices. horse-shoeing. gnarantccaatisfaction. 45-ly. . expedition ? tryin’ to think of. the eight of us walk in and take trout seats the jury will bracc right up. and the vardict will be aceordin’ to law and evidence, and I’ll git my boss hack. Couldn’t think of that word ‘ brucL: ‘ to save my life. idate,’ but I couldn’t think of ‘ hutcm’ Glad we picked ye up. braciu’ party, and we’ll cithcr braco that. jury or somebody’ll ginhurt ! "â€" Dctroit Free Press. ' can “Are you pmp‘v out on a hunting 1 "No. we are not int..tiu' anything.‘ he replied. " Alter a horse thief? " “ No, not :ti‘tt‘l‘ :1 l:t\\‘.~‘t‘ llllt‘i‘.“ " Perhaps it's a shooting match '? " l persisted. “ No, not a shootin’ match." I didn't like to ask further questions. but after a silence of live minutes the driver turned and explained. : “ It's nothin' but a lawsuit of mine which cotncs at? in town to-day." "’ And these are your friends '3 ” “ These are my lrionds.” I didn't like to ask why they were armed from head to heel to attend a lawsuit, but he saw me looking at the weapons and added : “ The vardict in this lawsuit orter be in my favor without question, :tu' there are two or three weak-knead critters on the jury. " -‘ And your object is to brace them up?“ That's the word I was Yes, when they see “ Exactly. I knew it wasn't ‘ intim- Yos, we're a Polly Wants Her Way. “Iwish you wouldn’t,” said Polly, dblcfully. “ Wouldn’t what ? ” I asked. “ Wouldn’t be an editor, and have to work at night.” ‘* What is it now ?” “ What is what?” “What is it you want me to take you to? ” “ Nothing.” A pause. “Only the wheelers are going to have a dance on Thursday night, and I thoughtâ€"per- haps " I smoked on. aggrieved silence. “ I wish you would take that horrid cigar out and talk to me.” “ My dear child,” I began. (This is a form of address I invariably use when about'to say something disagreeable.) “ My dear child, I have many times ex- plained to you the impossibility of my leaving the desk in the evening, even for you. On a paper like ours," I conv tinned, lapsing into my professional tone, “with an extensive circulation and the highest standard of excellence to maintain ” “Uh, bother the paper,” said Polly, “you used to do it.” “ True; once or twice “Exactly seven times! ” “ 0r thercabouts I have disregarded my duties and left my labors to Wilson. On each of these occasions the paper has suffered. The last time the circu- lation fell off nearly one half." Polly eyed me rather suspiciously. “I don’t see any fun in being.r engaged." she said, as I thought, somewhat. irrele- vantly. “ Then let’s get married,” I promptly suggested. “ Polly paid no attention to this, rightly regarding it as merely an at» tempt to change the subject. “ Well, I suppose I shall have to go with Mr. Weld, though he’s a horrid old stick l ” “ Has he asked you ? ” “ Still, it would make Minnie jealous, and so " I sat up and removed my cigar. “ l’olly, I said, rather than oblige you to undergo the torture of being with that empty-braincd 1159, I'll take you myself. if it. anuihilatcs the paper! ” Polly perched herself on the arm of my chair. “ You’re a dear old goose," she said softly. “ Of course, door," she whispered af- ter awhile. “ I wouldn’t have gone with him. even if he had asked me.” “Polly, didn't he ask you ? " There was no answer. I couldn’t l-(rc her face, but I noticed a convulsive movement of her shoulder and thonght I heard a suppressed giggle. I kissed her stcruly. so.“ l’olly viewed mo in “ It seems to me," groancd the suf- ferer, apostrophiziug the reflection of his aching tooth in the looking-glass. i “ that for as small a enstomcr as you are you have lots of nerve." Loverâ€"Yon are getting prettier eve- ry day.” Sweet Girlâ€"Just now I am living on brown bread and water to im- prove my complexion." " How lam: you keep that up? ” “ 9h, indefi- nitely." “ Then let‘s get married."