Because the girls in their education have been neglected far more than
the boys. Because the _girls_ are to be the _mothers_ of the next
generation.

That they are immortal, and capable of becoming and doing much in this
life would seem to be doubted even by their parents. The neglect of the
girls in their physical, mental, moral, and religious education, is
enough to draw pity even from the most stupid Christian.

Hundreds are put into field work from spring till autumn. They follow
the mule and "bull tongue." They wield the heavy hoe, sprouting newly
cleared land. They look after cattle on the ranges and the mountain
swine, and if these are needed for meat, kill and dress them as a man
would do. Said a woman the other day, "I wish I had as many dollars as I
have alone killed and dressed hogs." With parents the _boy_ means a
"heap" more than the _girl_. A boy can shoot deer and coon, fox and
rabbit, can build cabins, can keep school, and "seems" be a doctor or go
to Congress. With this impression, if anybody is clothed and sent to
school, it is the _boy_, while as a rule, the girl is poorly clad and
stays at home to do the boy's work, to make "craps," and grow up in
ignorance. If in berry time they can get a few dimes to buy a calico
dress and a pair of shoes, contentment settles over their faces.
Aspirations for anything better they have not, for an avenue leading to
a more hopeful life they have never dreamed of. To look into the future
there is nothing sunny or bright. Illiterate, they marry young some poor
fellow, and with no money they begin life, build their cabin home in the
timber land, girdle a few acres of the stately trees of oak and
chestnut, and there raise a family to take the same dark and gloomy view
of life the parents have had.