Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1848-09-08

BY MRS. HARRIET BEECHER STOWE.


"There is no time in life at which young
girls are SO selfish as from fifteen to twenty
said Edward Ashton, as he laid down a book
he had been reading very deliberately, and
leaned over the centre table,
g You insulting fellow said tall, bril-
liant looking creature, who was Longing on
an ottoman hard by, over one of Dickens last
works.
''Truth, coz, for all that said the gentle
man with the air of one who wishes to provoke
a discussion.
Snow Edward. this is just one of your
wholesale declarations-for nothing only to
ge4 iato dispute with you, you kno s.
On 5osr conscience now, Off you have one,l
is it not sol'
ssMy conscience feels quite easy, cousin,
in subscribing to that same sentiment, as my
confession of faith,'' replied the gentleman,
with the utmost sang troid.
Pshaa-it's only one of your fusty old
bachelor notions. See now what becomes of
living to your time of life without a wife
disrespect to the sex and all that
"Nay, now cousin Florence, you are girl
of moderately good sense with all your non
sense-now don't you q know you do) think
so too %
'.Think so too? do hear the creature" re-
piled Florence n % sir: you can speak for
yourself in regard to this matter, but must
beg leave to enter my protest when you speak
for me too
ssWell, now, where is there one, in all our
circles young girl who has any purpose or
object to speak Of in life, except to make her
self as interesting and agreeable possible
to be admired, and to pass her time in as
agreeable "a way as she can9 Where will
you find one between the ages of fifteen and
twenty that has any serious regard for the i'm
provementa and best welfare of those with whom
she is connected at all, or that modifies her
conduct in the least with reference to it,
Now cousin, in very serious earnest, you have
about as much real character, as much earnest
ness and depth Of feeling, and as much good
sense when one can get at it, as any young la
dy of them all-and yet, on your conscience
can you say that you live with any sort of
reference to any body's good, or to anything
but your own present amusement and gratifi-
cation %
"What ashocking adjuration," replied the
lady, 'sprefaced too by three story compli-
ment! Well, by being SO abjured, | must
think to the best Of my ability. And now Sc
riously and soberly, | do not see that | am
selfish. / do all that have any occasion to
do for anybody. You know that we have ser
wants to do everything that is necessary about
the house, so that there is no occasion for me
to make display of housewifery excellence ;
and wait on mamma if she has the headache
and hand pa his slippers and newspaper, and
find uncle Johns spectacles for him twenty
times day, Ono small matter that,) and
then"
..But after all, what is the object and pur-
pose of your life o.
..Why l haven't any. ! don't see how |
can have any-that is as | am made. Now
YOU know have none of the fussing, baby
/ tending, herb tea recommendations of Aunt
/ Sally and divers others of the class commonly
called useful Indeed to tell the truth, l think
useful people are commonly rather fussy and
stupid. They are just like the boneset, and
forehound, and catnip. very necessary to be
raised in garden, but not in the least orna
mental