Page:Women of distinction.djvu/381

Rh strong personality, marked by those motherly qualities which are so essential to a successful matron. The young men and women love her and confide in her as in a loving mother. Mrs. Puree is under appointment of the New England Women's Society, who claim her as "a faithful worker." She seems born to fill the place she has filled so successfully for the last six years.

As a housekeeper she is abreast of the times, especially in Northern methods. Any one entering her home or her department is struck by the method and system of her household duties. This is one of the most beneficial lessons to the young women. If the young won] en need anything in their school-life it is proper instruction in regard to their home-life, their habits and domestic duties. Many girls in boarding-schools are from rural districts, and as a general thing they need instruction as to the duties of home-life, hence when they attend school they must not only be taught in "books," but they must be taught how to use the broom, the dustbrush, the needle and the wash-board. The work of the matron is very trying. The girls are to be taught these duties, and it takes much time and patience. Mould these girls aright and when they return home they carry lessons into their homes that they could not have understood from reading books. Mrs. Puree tries to be practical and exact in her dealings with her pupils, and finds much pleasure in visiting their rooms while in school and their homes in vacation to see the changes wrought therein. She is loved all over Alabama, and whoever have the pleasure of meeting and being with her confess that she is the equal of her companion.