The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-06-23
From the Flag of our Union.
Keeping up with the Times.
BY MRS. E. WELLEMONT.

By Mrs. Il. NELLEMONI.
1t is one of the hardest conditions of
humanity, this keeping up with the times.
The Grimmer family found it so-and
although Mr.. Gershom Grimmer was
good business man, and realized fair
profit, yet it took all he could get to car
ry out the above idea; so that when he
remarked, "he should never leave his chill
dren any money to spend" the assertion
Sas never doubted. Some people imag-
Se times, however, have far greater
>n2on them than is really the case.
.crept in Mrs. Grimmer's
pent, and materially af-
1t. She had erroneous
at lady had no need to
lind of labor, that hired SER
accomplish all kinds of need
without much oversight; which
Eany painful mistakes and omis-
She was one of the sort who al
entertain their friends with the faults
Vtheir servants, and was perpetually left
to wonder why the highest wages did not
secure the best of domestic economy
Again and again had she talked the mat
ter over with her own daughter, with no
satisfactory conclusion; there were others
of their acquaintance who knew no such
troubles; but alas, they erred in the first
principles of right action. They were
never happy, and yet they were all the
time expending profusely to become SO.
About this time Arabella, the eldest
daughter, was sent to visit friend who
was most stsystematic and judicious house
keeper. Everything in Mrs. Wisemans
family affairs went on like clock-work.-
There was no changing of help, no out
cry about misplaced articles, no jargon
about untitled duties, but a quiet harmo
nious action pervaded the whole dwelling.
To Arabella it was perfect mystery
she sought to solve it by attentive obser-
vation. The mother'of the family seemed
always deeply engaged, never sauntering
and fretting over work which might have
been executed while doing so the young
ladies, too, never rung the bells for the
supply of wants when they could as well
help themselves the father was never in
state of anxiety whether, if he took
friend home with him, the apparent dis
order would not be manifest; but large
hospitality sweetened the plain but health
full and well-cooked fare, so that visitors
and home members were alike made cheer
full. Then everything was so delightfully."-
fitted to yield the greatest amount OF com
fort the inquiry what tie times demand
ed as constituting gentility,' was never
made; there was no seamstress in the fam
lily, consequently the family work-basket
of upmended or unmade clothes was un-
der Mrs. Wiseman's charge, who appor-
toned to each of her daughters their fit
ting share, and everything was thus kept
well adjusted. Besides, the young ladies
were thus relieved from those seasons of
listless ennui when the fancy takes such
random strides, and restlessness ensues
which change alone dissipates; for Mrs.
Wiseman judged truly that the employ
ment of these vacant moments kept the
mind in sound state so, without being
overtasked, everybody in the house had
their appropriate occupations.
To Arabella, this change seemed like
an earthly paradise. Every day she
grew an attentive observer of the secret
charm which worked SO beautifully, and
as she contrasted it with the rough and :
tumble discipline of her own home, she
saw so much to regulate on her re-
turn, that she really dreaded to do so.--