The Country-Woman's Corner

Otago Witness, Issue 3959, 28 January 1930, Page 15

The Country-Woman's Corner

By

Jean.

(Special for the Otago Witness.)

COUNTRY WEDDINGS.

With all the help and convenience that modern mechanical methods have given to the housewife, the harvest season is one long, unending bustle from the first day the reaper goes out like a gallant ship into the sea of ripened oats till the last sacks go away to the mill, and the fields are growing green again with sprouting weeds and fresh grass, almost hiding the brown stubble. The season is a busy one with the making of jams and preserves, the preparation for the first school term, and holiday trips and outings worked in between the very busy times. So many customs which were once associated with country life have died out. (hanging conditions have altered our plans of living.' (he stern law of necessity makes it imperative to conform to practical methods in all our relations in life.

Nowadays the country wedding is usually held in some central town, and the arrangements are no different from that of city people. This means a great saving of time and expense, to sa v nothing of all the work and worry which at one time fell to the share of those who had undertaken the catering and entertaining. A good many town weddings take place between New Year and Easter. Between these two “ rush ” seasons

workers find it suitable to enjoy a holiday, and so it happens that country friends often have trips to distant part's which but for the urgency of the occasion could never be undertaken during harvest time. As the onlooker and the guest have (he best of it in this as in every other case, there is ample time for comparison of things past and present, and

ior one who has the affairs of the country woman at heart it is time for serious thought.

Where once upon a time the mind of the future home-maker was occupied with the spinning of yarn and flax, the bride to be now studies the arrangement of lighting, heating, and labour-saving devices of all kinds for her home. Then, if she has been in the habit of having the use of a car, that will receive serious consideration, too. In the case of the girl who is going to live in the country and whose future home has been planned for her, there will be all the machinery and. labour-saving devices for outdoor work, the marketing of crops and stock, the plans for the setting up of a poultryrun. as well as the laving out of the garden and orchard all to be taken into account along with the interior decorating and furnishing of the house. For the country bride the business of the farm is part and parcel of all that concerns her future welfare.

i To the girl who may make the choice I of the alternative of a career, anj in doing so relinquishes the thought of j living on a farm, there is the fear that : in so doing she may never again find the j same amount of satisfaction in any other : walk of life. Where the parents and ■ grandparents were content to make a. l-start with simple meaiu and small beginnings, the young people demand to be set up with luxurious homes, motor cars, and everything else in keeping. The modern farm bride feels that she could not live in a small cottage as her mother did. with “ a few hens, a couple of cows, and a pig in the sty." but why not'.' If is done in every other walk of lite. ’I he mechanic and his voting wife begin life in a simple flat and work along carefullv and quietly until the fruits of industry bring them to a home of their own and an honourable position. Ihe same with those who occupy important positions in the business world—they all had to begin with humble homes and straitened means. Am] the primary producer who is so essential to the nation's prosperity must not be afraid to do the same.

Of course, it does not follow flint I lie taking up of a country life will give prosperity or happiness. Many who are

forced to get a bare living on a farm [ might be well fitted for a profession. It is very difficult sometimes to make a I decision, among the many calls that I appeal to our powers and ability which I by modern educational methods have i been trained in order that we can make j a living in so many different ways, as difficult as it was long ago when marriage was the one and only career. O where to find a partner fit, Ot equal merit, worth, and wit. E'en wizards know not where. If. however, we cannot set back the clock and do things as they were done years ago, there is hope for the country when one secs the many cars with " smart young farmers,” with their equally smart young wives, tastefully but not extravagantly dressed, coming into town, marketing and working in the fields. What if it is necessary to take on a heavy mortgage? Good health, careful spending, and good seasons will soon make up! And if things do not turn out satisfactorily, why worry? For money is not th e most important thing in life. Pleasant homes and artistic surroundings are worth working for, but if one cannot find happiness in humble surroundings, neither will great possessions give entire satisfaction. There are countless ways to win it ; some have found it in a child. Some have come to it through sorrow, when their hearts were reconciled. Some nzive found it in a garden, some have fowrd it In a stream : For the peace ot true contentment is the depth ot every dream. w Some S-avs found it on the hilltops, and the search is ages old. But nc <ztse has ever found it in a selfish rot gold.

One ot the greatest drawbacks to settling in the country is the want of comps .Gcic ship. To be a good neighbour owp m-vet be prepared to give as well as to tUre. ?n the life of the professional a>.d woman there is a continual need fo. th* practiw of tact and for-Nsrrwja-K and .'here is the greatest need far IV*, too, 5* the mall community and t&e family One’s friendships ■Rest be <a •art, -- quality that it will •taw*, the tnet e/ wi’w-nderstandings of '•<” eecv. !i U onVy by continuous unMvlurn < t» fVnt jrue contentment is <v».xd. Tfct har’t of grumbling and self-

pity blinds us to the troubles of other people. Often had we known of the sorrows of others, we would never have insisted on doing things that all unconsciously alienated people from us. The friendship that is worth while must be proved by sorrow and retained by patience and kindness. It is worth while striving to be a true comrade, friend, and neighbour. Just one who never starts to preach When days of shadow come. But takes your hand and walks beside, And cheers you on— A Chum. Just one who listens, knows, and keeps In courteous silence dumb. The thoughts and dreams you trust to her In confidence—■ A Chum. Just one who sings a song of hope Above the drear world's home. And walks along, a soul to trust From Youth to Age— A Chum.