The American Country Girl Part 29

Bound to the stars by invisible chains, Blaze of eternity now in my veins, Seeing the rush of etherial rains, Here in the midst of the everyday air-- I am aware.

--_Angela Morgan._

CHAPTER x.x.x

THE COUNTRY GIRL'S SCORE CARD

"Efficiency" is now the watchword in all endeavors, and every man worker and every woman worker is being put under training to secure the greatest amount of it. The factory is stretched to the strain. In every department store there is an efficiency school for the clerks, and every one has to take this discipline. All large public schools have a score card for the instructors and every teacher must stand or fall by the results of the criticisms therein set down.

In the home economics department of various colleges a section of a course of study is sometimes given to the close examination of the score card for the housekeeper. The points discussed include not only the technique of the kitchen, but the character that lies behind all efficiency and the training for making the most of native endowments.

Why, then, if the Country Girl wishes to become efficient, should she not have a "score card" of her own? At any rate it may be an incitement to her conscience, and perhaps it may give some suggestions for her life-plan.

The Country Girl's Score Card given here is not to be taken as in any way final. Let it be thought of as suggestive only.

THE COUNTRY GIRL'S SCORE CARD

_Character_

Notable excellencies in character, temperament, or disposition: integrity, truthfulness, trustworthiness, courage, fort.i.tude, self-reliance, steadiness, fearlessness, generosity, magnanimity Notable deficiencies in character, temperament or disposition as shown by such actions or incidents as these: inconsiderateness in causing unnecessary trouble to others carelessness, causing waste or extra work disorderliness, causing waste or worry or extra work frequent tardiness at meals disregarding the rules of the home, thus causing worry forgetting (which usually means not caring) losing things (which generally means culpable inattention) showing a depressed will power (which means not caring enough) tampering in the least with accurate statement, not rigorously preserving a habit of accuracy tampering in the least with exact business relations, borrowing carelessly; borrowing money when it is not absolutely necessary; not making payment at the first possible moment deflecting in the least from generous treatment in speech or act of companions especially of a rival or foe

_Expression of herself in manners_

Self-control

repose of manner, dignity, gentleness, quietness

Tact

quick perception of people's whims or foibles avoidance of things that may give offense ready adaptation to circ.u.mstances

Atmosphere

friendliness or cordiality; expressing enough but not too much; having a manner perfectly adapted to circ.u.mstances cheer; a hopeful, buoyant spirit

Voice

quality, management of voice, sweetness, clearness carrying power without harshness

Speech

use of English, good grammar, avoidance of crude language precision in the use of the mother tongue, choice of words, use of idiom a clear-cut enunciation

_Philosophy of life_

The will to live, a plucky spirit, a determination to win through, to succeed, to take the hazard and go ahead A pa.s.sion for perfection, for excellence in the result; not to give up until the end is gained and the product is as good as it can possibly be made Artistic pa.s.sion, the love of seeing things look well, of seeing harmony and proportion; love of music and pictures and all things beautiful; love for finding beauty in common things; interest in making oneself look always as beautiful as possible Power and habit of reflection, philosophy, reasoning things out; the power to put two and two together, to see through a matter and find out why a thing is made in such a way and no other Pa.s.sion for truth for its own sake, for finding out what the underneath processes of nature are, for scientific investigation in the natural world about us Power of growth a teachable spirit, ability to take suggestions, and to act generously upon them; employment of means to maintain efficiency and perseverance in these efforts; ability to rise after failures and to strike in again with better knowledge

_Health_

Enthusiastic and persistent obedience to all the Code given in Chapter XIV, particularly as to bodily carriage, exercise, breathing, clothing, food and eating, elimination of waste, cleanliness, amount of sleep, rest, and prevention of illness Willingness to make sacrifices in order to gain and to maintain a high state of bodily strength and efficiency

_Perfect relations with the various members of the family_

Attentive and affectionate relations with the father Loving and helpful relations with the mother Amiable and companionable relations with brothers (if nearly her own age) Fair, responsive and tender relations with sisters (if nearly her own age) Patient and inspirational relations with the younger children

_Community spirit_

Dependable and active relations with the church Inquiring, critical, responsive relations with the school Helpful working relations with the community societies and societies for young people Cordial furtherance of any public work for betterment A pure, self-sacrificing and n.o.ble influence among the village young people

_Definite preparation for her home that is to be_

The "hope-box" and what it should contain A scheme for her house-plan and all its ideal details; the site, the appliances, the fittings and furniture, the decorations Training in the business of the home Training in the business of the farmstead Training in the knowledge of child-life and child-psychology Training in the laws governing the property of women

_Qualities for an efficient administrator of a household:_

Knowledge of the business and training for it either at home or in some school Power to systematize work, to apportion out labor, and to keep accounts and make budgets; power to purchase and to save wisely Ability to carry things through in a business-like way; courage to undertake things; ability to make both ends meet Resourcefulness; ability to act promptly when things go wrong, to adapt oneself to changes, to show reserve in emergencies Power to save time and avoid dawdling; to avoid unnecessary motions and waste of energy; to avoid unnecessary waste of materials Pa.s.sion for cleanliness in rooms, furniture, utensils, linen; pa.s.sion for personal cleanliness A real love of the work itself, a love to create good things; a love to see things done and to do them

If you, dear Country Girl, will take a score card similar to this, go away by yourself and think it all over, then conscientiously take the examination, mark yourself on all the points honestly and fairly, desiring strongly to be just with yourself and to see yourself as you really are, there will perhaps come to you an illuminated hour when you will dare to set yourself down in the group called "meritorious" or in the next group called "not-quite-meritorious-but-almost." Perhaps, however, you may feel that you ought to descend into the group named "inferior" or even into the "deficient" cla.s.s. But this attempt at self-examination will spur you to greater effort, whatever your decision. For if you must say "inferior" or "deficient," there is no doubt some reason for the lacks, and the examination will help you to find these and to strive earnestly to make up for them. And if you feel that you can honestly say "meritorious," you must remember that all good qualities are but the stepping-stones to higher struggle and that life affords us many more advanced degrees to which we may aspire.

The Country Girl's Score Card may afford an appreciation of how much the young woman in rural life means to her environment. That appreciation will only make you see the more clearly the claims that country life has upon you. For you must realize that there is one link in the chain of American life that the Country Girl alone can forge. If you fail, the chain must break; but if you do your allotted part, the chain will be one of those that Milton loves to sing about, that bind the whole round earth about the throne of G.o.d.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

THE PROBLEM OF COUNTRY LIFE

ANDERSON, W. L.: The Country Town b.u.t.tERFIELD, K. L.: Chapters in Rural Progress EARP, E. L.: The Rural Church Movement FISKE, G. W.: The Challenge of the Country (_Y. W. C. a.s.so.

Press_) GILLETTE, J. W.: Constructive Rural Sociology HART, J. K., editor: Educational Resources of Village and Rural Communities ROOSEVELT, T.: Report of Commission on Country Life, Introduction by Theodore Roosevelt STRONG, J.: Our World

THE PROBLEM OF URBAN LIFE

DEVINE, E. T.: Misery and Its Causes LAUGHLIN, CLARA: The Work-a-Day Girl RICHARDSON, D.: The Long Day

THE WORLD OF ALL OUTDOORS

BAILEY, L. H.: The Outlook to Nature BREARLEY, H. C.: Animal Secrets Told COMSTOCK, ANNA B.: Handbook of Nature Study DIXON, ROYAL: The Human Side of Plants GRINNELL, M.: Neighbors of Field, Wood and Stream KNIGHT, C. R.: Animals of the World for Young People; Birds of the World for Young People LOUNSBERRY, A.: The Wild Flower Book for Young People; The Garden Book for Young People; Frank and Bessie's Forester

DELIGHTFUL BOOKS ABOUT THE COUNTRY