Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-04-07

comes in from the kitchen TO say there is a poor
woman there who wishes to speak with Mrs.
Edison.
But it is unnecessary TO 90 into further de-
tails Of the domestic cares-trihing while view.
ed singly-but by no means small or insiq.
nGcant in their aggregate-which tried the
patience or wore upon the spirits of Mrs. Ed
son, during all that morning, as they had
done many mornings before but the morning
and its cares passed away, and gave place to
the afternoon, as mornings always do.
As Mrs. Edison was sitting by the cradle in
which Charley was taking his afternoon nap,
while Willie, the next Oldest, was seated upon
the rag, surrounded by the blocks, rearing
something which he very gravely informed his
mother was "big church, the door-bcll rang
Mrs. Edison looked somewhat anxiously to-
wards the door until il was opened, and the
cheerful face of Aunt Mary appeared, when the
anxious look Immediately gave place 10 smile
Of cordial welcome-for Aunt Mary ,pas wei
come.
She was one who carried sunshine with her
wherever she went, no matter how dark and
cloudy the sky might be, and she had pecu-
liar faculty of drawing into the sunlight too,
all those who were so happy as to be thrown
into her society. She would take the little
world of thought and feeling, cares and anx-
eiies, upon the cloudy side Of which they
dwelt, and so turn it upon its axis, as to bring
them, before they were aware, directly into
the sunlight of cheerful hope and lofty courage.
She was not one of those persons whose hol-
low-hearted inquiries AFTER your welfare, lead
one TO smile in a fountain Of sorrow, and hide
under an assumed gayety heavy heart
There was something in her unaffected good
will and hearty sympathy, which lead ono, as il
were, to place the keys Of their heart in her
hand, and pour into her ear the tale Of their mos,
hidden joys and sorrows.
| Mrs. Edison was not long in communicating
to Aunt Mary the fact that she felt thoroughly
discouraged, and quite wretehed that afternoon;
but when Aunt Mary inquired for the cause,
Mrs. Edison replied, "Ah that is the very
difficulty, Aunt Mary. IL my troubles were
sufficiently dignified to be worth repeating,
could bear them better; in such case one
might expect some sympathy; but to be weigh
ed down by burden Of cares and yexations,
each one of which is so triiing in itself, that
it seems ludicrous even TO mention il as a
trouble, is hard TO bear Let me think what
has vexed me, and put me SO out of tune to-
day"
Mrs. Edison here paused moment 10 run
over in her mind the various events Of the
morning, and at the cad of this review she
burst into laugh, for she had keen sense Of
the ludicrous. 81 declare" said she, al can't
think of single trouble, which BY ITSELF is
worth repeating, yet in the aggregate, al eau
assure you, have not found them anything to
be laughed at 1t seems small enough TO speak
of button wanted on husbands shirt, or a
cut finger 10 be closed up, as troubles but
when the button is to be sewed on, and the fin
| ger to be done up, book to be covered, cry
ing baby 10 be hushed, lost Geography to be
found, and halfa dozen other things to bo done
all at one time, if they are small things, when
put together they are more than know how TO
bear.
"But am most troubled" continued Mrs.
Edison more seriously, "when | compare the
petty cares and tolls Of life, with our destiny
as immortal beings wihtthe infinite results which
depend upon the transient period of our sojourn
here, and with the glorious hopes inspired BY
that gospel which brings life and Immortality
to light, there seems such an incongruity be-
tween the two, that ! am often tempted TO won
der why things are so arranged certainly
often find it very difficult TO bear in mind that
there is anything in the world TO be done or
cared for, except to repair coats and shirts,
wash and dress the children, and see that the
pies and dumplings are made ready for dinner.
1t often seems as if my energies were all ex-
pended on these triaing cares. If the cares
and tolls Of life were more dgnifed more 10
keeping, So 10 speak, with our destiny as i'm
mortal beings, their tendency to elevate the soul,
and fit it lor nober, better life than this would
then be more apparent.
Mrs. Edison was hero interrupted by Willie,
who had grown tired Of his seat upon the
rug, and his blocks, and left them to seek for
some other source Of amusement. Going to
small workstand, he began TO pull at the draw
er.
"Wilie," said his mother, "you must let
the drawer alone. Let it alone, and come away,
Willie"
Willie looked at his mother and let 60 the
drawer for moment, but he soon had his
hand upon it again. "Does Willie hear moth
err" Mrs. Edison now asked. "Let that drawer
alone, and come away from the ssand''
But Willie still stood by the stand looking
very undecided, though he did not again offer
to touch the drawer. "If Willie don't mind
mother, and come away from the stand, shall
have to punish him." said Mrs. Edison very de-
cidedly. Willie now walked slowly away
from the stand, and as he did SO, Aunt Mary
observed TO his mother, "Are you not making
too serious matter Of very little thing"
Mrs. Edison looked up at Aunt Mary with
some surprise, for she was not in the habit Of
hearing her reason in this way, on the subject
of family government, but she replied earnest
ly, 'lt surely is not small thing that my child
should be taught to obey me. His welfare for
this world and the world TO come, will depend
upon his learning this lesson"
"But surely" replied Aunt Mary, sit was
small thing in itself for Willie to pull out that
drawer, and still smaller to stand BY the side of
it. Is there not an incongruity in teaching
him so important lesson as obedience to pa
rental authority, by means ofa thing so trifing