The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-12-28

er scene, the unhappy husband and father left
the apartment.
Mrs. Mackedo went below to give the lazy
Kitty, as she termed her servant, a complete
blowing up.
lit seems to me, Kitty, you complain great
deal about nothing. Pray where did you live
before you came here?'
The poor girl being fairly reused, replied
that she lived with Mrs. Harris, who was some
what of lady, and never expected too much
from her.
Il used to know her very well; pray why did
you leave her?
Because her eldest daughter had left school
and she said she wished her to learn to work;
but while there was so much help In the house
she hadn't half chance; so as Nancy, the
other girl, had been there longer than had,
she sent me away with kind words and useful
presents
Il can't think answered Mrs Mackedo, that
Mrs. Harris would do so ungenteel thing as
to oblige her daughter to do homework. But
| will call there soon, and find out
True to her word, Mrs. Makedo called to
see Mrs. Harris on the following Tuesday, and
Lucy Harris, the eldest daughter, answered
the bell; which somewhat shocked her ideas of
propriety.
why, Lucy DEAR said Mrs. Mackedo, 'how
flushed you look; have you fever, or what is
the matter? =
Lucy, radiant with health and good humor,
said she was entirely well, but had been iron
ing all the morning, and as Nancy was sweep
ing in the third story she told her she would
tend the bell in her absence.
Mrs. Harris now entered the parlor, and
Lucy, after politely excusing herself, returned
to her work.
How do you do, my dear Susan ? said Mrs.
Harris, cordially extending her hand to her
welcome guest.
I'm very well thank you, Mary replied
the visitor.
And how is Araminta, and the children, as
ked Mrs. Harris
'Oh, dear, the children are well, but troub-
lesome, as usual; though don't know much
about them. Araminta is often dull, and has
no appetite at all. Poor thing, as Mrs. Chick
said of Dombey's first wife, fear she never
will be able to make an effort. IT'S hardly
worth while to ask after Lucy, she looks so
rosy-almost too much to suit my taste. By
the way, heard from my Kitty that YOU had
put her to work; and one reason for my calling
was to know the truth oft; have you really
done such an-out-of-the-way thing?
Il am very happy to answer in the affirna-
tive; Susan, When she left school, her occu-
patton seemed to be gone-she became listless
and languid, her appetite left her, an in our
anxiety we consulted physician in regaad to
her health. He told us the best thing for her
was daily and regular exercise-though mod
erately at first, until her strength could bear
more. So, after Mr.. Harris and myself had
talked the matter over; l dismissed one Of the
girls and went hand in hand for awhile with
Lucy, to encourage her. She now makes all
the beds in the chambers, occasionally always
helps iron the clothes, and frequently assists in
cooking. You must drink tea with us soon
and taste some of her bread-it is so delic-
ious'
But don't she dress herself in her best, and
walk out every day? My Araminta could not
exist without that
'She is always neat in her dress, but seldom
walks out merely for promenade. She is
interested in every household department, aud
has sufficient exercise indoors for her health.
Her appetite and spirits are both good, and
we are glad we had the frmness to make her
useful, and thereby happy. Her needle, too,
is not idle, and am frequnetly indebted to her
for much assistance with the childrens gar
ments.
What ,cM Araminta think of all this p said
Mrs. Makedo. why, Mary, we only keep
one girl-though often think there's enough
work in the house for two; but it never en-
tered my head to call on my daughter for help.
Dear me, she is the one most waited on in the
family
Il hope YOU will be encouraged, Susan, to do
as | have done, and bestow little of the care
on her that your mother bestowed on you: for,
fashionable as you have become, you cannot
disguise the truth, that you were taught to
work as well as myself. Do you not remem-
Der, when we lived neighbors in the country,
the many useful lessons our mother gave US ?
And when our present husbands courted our
favor, do you suppose they thought less Of us for
being industrious =
1T is different in city, Mary
The difference, Susan, is only in your own
mind, and rises from false pride. have cho-
sen to stick to first principles, believing it Will
save my child much unhappiness in future
The fate of nations depends in a great meas
ure on her mothers training; and parents can
not be too much alive to their responsibilities
beg you will consider this subject deeply, and
pray for right wisdom TO direct YOU
Mrs. Mackedo had listened in silence. Then
her thoughts went back to her childhood's home
beautiful and refreshing to the memory as to
herself when her innocent thoughts and child
sh sports had made an Eden of that seclu-
ded spot; when the gay song of early birds a.
wakened her from Misunderstanding slumbers,
and she arose with the dawn, light. hearted and
happy, to perform her daily duties; trifing they
were, perhaps, in reality, but rendered impor
taht and exacted by mother rather anxious
for her daughters welfare, and even watchful
to direct her youthful footsteps in the way that
brings peace and happiness to the world to
come-Alas alas where stood she now? 1t
seemed as though all those early lessons and
sweet counsels had been buried in the grave of
her departed mother. The rank weeds had
come up and smothered the young buds of
promise. How, thought she, have / fulfilled
the trust committed to my care. The way of
high life, in a fashoned-bound city have bin
ded my judgement and better knowledge; my
child has grown up beneath my eye Ignorant
of all that truly enables and exalts our natures
vanity and love of dress the only aim of her