Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-02-06
work, and IL call there soon and find out for

myself"
True TO her work, Mrs. Mskedoo called 10
see Mrs Harris on the following Tuesday, and
Lucy Harris, the eldest daughter answered
the bell, which somewhat shocked her idoas Of
ptopriety Why, Lucy dear" she said,
what is the matter!''
Lucy, radiant with health and good humor,
sald sne was entirely well, but had been iron
ing al tne morning, and a. Nancy was sweep
to the bell in her absence
Mrs Harris now entered the parlor. and
work " N'i
How do you do, my dear Susan9'' said
Mrs Harris cordially, shaking her hand 70
her welcome guest.
I'm very well, 1 thank you, Mary"
And how is Arsmints and the chiIdren7"
"0h, dear, the children are well, but trou-
blesome as usual, though don't know much
about them. Arsminta is often dull, and has
no appetite at all. Poor thing, as Mrs
Chick" said of old sDombey'si 6rst wife, 1
fear she will never be able TO make an effort"
'Tis hardly worth while to ask after Lucy,
she looks SO very rosy, almost too much TO
suit my taste; by the way, heard from my
nifty that you had put her 10 work, and one
reason for my calling was to know the truth
OF lt-have you really done such an out of the
way thing?''
~ am very happy to answer in the sfirma-
tive, Susan; when she left school her occupa-
tion, seemed gone she became listless and
languid, her appetite left her, in our anxiety
we consulted a physician in regard 10 her
health. He told US the best thing for her was
daily and regular exercise. though moderate.
ly at first until her strength could bear more
so, after Mr.. Harris and myself had talked
the matter over, / dismissed one of the girls
and went hand in hand for a while with Lucy
to encourage her. She now makes all the
beds in the house before breakfast, sweeps 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 30 delicious I"
" But don't she dress herself in her best,
andTaAk out every day my Araminta could
not exist without that"
"She is always neat in her dress but sell
dom walks out merely for promenade. She
is interested in every household department,
and has sufficient exercise indoors for her
health. Her appetite and spirits are both
good, and we are glad that we had the firm
ness to make her useful AID thereby happy;
her needle, too, is not idle, as / am frequently
obliged to her for assistance with the chill
dren's garments"
What aciH Araminta think of all this7"
said Mrs. MakedOo "Why, Mary, we only
keep one girl, though | often think there's
entered into my head to call on my own
daughter for help. Dear me, she is the one
most waited on the family"
81 hope you will be encouraged, Susan, to
do as have done, and bestow a 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 wofk as we'll as me. Do you re.
member, when we lived neighbors in tho
country, the many useful lessons our mother
gave US; and when our present husbands
courted our favor, do you suppose they thought
the less Of US for being industrious %
{" 1t Is different in a city, Mary"
The difference, Susan, is only in our mind,
and arises from false pride. have chosen
to stick to first principles, believing it will
save my child much unhappiness in the fu-
ture. The fate of nations depends, in a great
measure, on q mothers training and parents
cannot be too much alive to their great res
possibilities L beg you will consider this
subject, and pray for right wisdom to direct
you"
Mrs MskedOo had listened in silence. Then
her thoughts went back TO her childhoOds
home, beautiful and refreshing to her memory
as to herself, when her innocent thoughts aud
childish sports had made an Eden Of that Sc
cluded spot. When the gay song Of the early
birds awakened her from health breathing
slumbers, and she arose with the dawn, light
hearted and happy, TO perform her daily
duties, trifing as they were, perhaps in reality,
but rendered important, and regularly ex-
acted by mother, anxious for her daug ghter's
welfare, and ever watchful to direct her
youthful footsteps in the way that brings peace
and happiness. 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 1 fulfilled the trust toward the i'm
mortal soul committed to my care The ways
of high life in a fashion bound city have
blinded my judgment and better knowledge;
my child has grown up beneath my eye igno-
rant of all that truly ennobles our natures
vanity and love of dress the only end of her
existence"
g 'Tis too late now, Mary, said Mrs. Make.
doc, as she rose in haste to take her depar-
ture q tits too late to undo the deep injury
have done my daughter. If she lives, she
will have plenty of trouble, like the rest #
US, and in her hours Of trial, her husband will,
perhaps, and justly, too, blame her mother
for not teaching her better how to meet and
how ID bear it. 1 will 60 home sad talk to
Ay husband; / know his heart will gladden.
at tho prospect Of reform in this matter he
will encourage me to do what is yet in my
power for Araminta-and / promise you, my
dear Mary, to try and take the rest Of my
children in good season for their improve
ment"
Mothers who read this, go ye and do like
wise.