Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-10-22
Mistellanfous
PARLOR DAUGHTERS.
by A BACHELOR.

OlflS, young ladles, ana II you please,
mothers too, just listen moment, for
have short story to tell you; and perhaps
at the close of it, We will find "moral," and
perhaps n sermon.
A few days since called upon young
lady. may as well say that having been
considerably suppressed" by her beauty and
brilliant conversation, at several evening So
cial parties, had resolved to prosecute the
acquaintane, l will not affirm that there
had not tloated vaguely about in my brain
certain pleasing rose-colored Bachelors rev
cries" in which figured conspicuously the
beaming face and elegant figure of Miss f.
Be that as it may, 1 called; and being
ushorcd into the parlor, [ sat down and
awaited with some impaticnce, tho appear
ancc of the lady.
My attention was soon arrested by voices
in an adjoining apartment and tho door be-
ing ajar [ was perforcc listener.
"Oh, Carrie" said weary voice, ''if you
had only have assisted me three hours a
day, this attack might have been avcrted
but now It's too late. l know that weeks
if not months of illness are before me.
am all tired out"
"Why, MOTHER" replied voice, almost
pctulanty-I had admired it the evening
previous, for its spirited, yet amiable tones
"Why, mother, nobody does kitchen work
now; at least, nobody that is anybody
Just think of Mrs. Smythe, or Miss Brown
or Mrs. Soule associating with your kitchen
girl, with hor dngy hands. Why, the idea
is absurd; and besides, hato housework.'
SWELL" replied the invalid voice, 81 don't
know what would have been thought Of
you assisting mo about tho house a few
hours each day, but do know that for the
want of this help | am now i'll. Yes, Carrie
for the want of your help, have been
obliged to overtask myself
Miss T. soon made her appearance, with
her winning smile, gay laugh, and brilliant
repartee; but, somehow, the image of her
overtasked mother, constantly camo be-
tween her and my proviou, admiration; so
after few ill-at-ease attempts at conversa.
ton, | took my leave.
AS l slowly walked away, musing, ga
change came DER the spirit of my dreap.'
A daughter who "hated housework" TO such
a degree as to allow her mother to get "all
tired out" and i'll, from being "overtaske6,"
could such a daughter become that most in
estimable boon this side of Heaven, good
wife?
What il her husband had wealth, and
filled his house with troops of servants, could
he have quiet, neat, wel-ordered home
al, hou Al
No. A parlor daughter will make par
Tor aOye. Brilliant, facinating-a rare and
and costly ornament-challenging the ad-
miration of tho world, it may be, but never
the holy course and center or the comfort
and peace Of her family.
AS thus rudely my rose-colored roveries
were changed to sober.hued realities,
queried, was Miss f. an exception to the
rulcl How many young ladies of my ac-
quaintance were really "helps to their moth
ers" in domestic affairs? How many wonld
not blush with shame at being seen making
bread-notca cake, but bread How many
could cook and get on the table good din
ncr; or superintend and direct such an un-
dertaking? How many to whom tho old
fashioned "dish-cloth" is not "horrid
thingP How many could starch and iron
a shirt bosom or collar, so it would look re-
spectablei
Alas how few could recall who would
not be properly numbered in tho long list
of those to whom these things were not on
ly mysteries, but absolutely disagreeables
and undesirables.
! say "alas !" for it is sad thing not on
ly for us young men, tho future husbands of
those frail "lillies of the field, who toll not,
neither do they spin"-but to the daughters
themselves.
Look at them-look at yourselves, young
ladies-wherc is the round, plump, solid
arm and cheek of your grandmother at your
agef Where is her power of endurance,
her exuberant spirit, depressed by no cir
her energy aud selfreliancc,
equal to her cmorgoncy--and where in tho
future are you to obtain strength to pass un-
scathcd through the perils of maternity, as
did shel
Look around you at the young wives and
mothers; what pitiabls specimens of femin-
inc humanity what discouraged, disheart.