Dear Editor and Friends: Letters from Rural Women of the North-West, 1900-1920

1916~Farmer: A Pitiful Heart

Dear Editor and Friends ~ 1916 exception of the man and make the woman suffer, for both are just the some if looked into. You may not all agree with me, but everybody has a right to think as she likes and this is just what I think. I have homesteaded myself since my husband's absence, with my poor little ones. I have been doing the work my husband would have done, and hard work at that. Those that homestead and have crops to put in, know that it is not easy, but it had to be done, and nobody else to do it. My oldest son is only 6 years old, so he could not help. Well, I shall have to quit this time, or this may be too long to fill the corner of the page. So I will sign myself AN ENGLISH SOLDIER'S WIFE If Allie has not disposed of the fur coat and boots I would willingly pay postage. My address is with the editor. PRIM ROSE ATHOME, Family Herald and Weekly Star January 5, 1916 A PITIFUL HEART Dear Prim Rose: With regard to the collecting of insects I wondered if there couldn't be a better way to destroy them other than pinning them on a pad. I think everything of that kind should be done in a way that would prevent all unnecessary suffering. The same thing also applies to the trapping of animals; as sometimes they may have to stay in the traps for days before being released and I think it ought to be arranged that the traps should be visited more often. I have thought the traps might be lined with something or made so as to cause as little pain as possible. It makes one feel that they would not care to wear furs procured at such a price. FARMER Doubtless a letter addressed to the Natural History Club of this paper would bring you helpful advice in reply. You did not send in your name and address. —Prim Rose. 124 6 1916~ Letters PRIM ROSE ATHOME, Family Herald and Weekly Star January 26, 1916 WHEN A MAN ENLISTS Dear Prim Rose: The great rolling prairie is very fascinating, but in the part of Alberta where I live, trees, which are lovely, are very scarce, but I like the country very much. I feel called upon by "Tipperary's" letter to say a few words in defence of the "healthy young wife who is quite able to look after herself and children" letting her husband join the colors. Of course there are some wives who would be left with plenty of this world's goods, but what about the numberless wives who would be left with very little or nothing? Employment is very hard to get at present and there would be the little children to be cared for. As to the aged parents, there are homes built on purpose for such as are unable to keep themselves, and those who are able could pay some kind women to live with them and care for them. So in both cases the aged parents could spare their only son for war. I am "a healthy young wife," with three small children two of whom are under two years of age. My only trade is housekeeping and I feel that I would have a very hard battle, securing employment and taking care of these wee tots too. I don't see how I can spare my husband for the war. I would like to have other people's opinions on this subject. Alberta EvaNGELINE The Government and the Patriotic Fund care for the wife and children when a man enlists, and contributes to the support of parents, too, in some cases. —Prim Rose. 125 ~ Dear Editor and Friends HOME LOVING HEARTS, Free Press Prairie Farmer January 26, 1916 CAN'T ALTERCIRCUMSTANCES Dear Editor and Members: Some weeks ago a note from the editor regarding a prairie woman who felt old at 40 with 13 children aroused my indignation. Thirteen children ! Suffering humanity! No wonder she feels old, bitter and resentful. Yes, there is just one kind of people who makes us more weary that the ones who sit down and get sorry for themselves. The ones who have no heart or sympathy for anyone but themselves. L.L. says: "If we are freewill beings we must make things...