The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-03-23
Srlrttra Sturu.
From the Saturday Evening ro.tl
THE ECCENTRIC BARBER
MY FRIEND's STORY.
BN HELEN II. CUTLER.
Ic,xcLrDeD FROM l.Asr WEEK !

ChNCLCDEG FROM i.Asi WEEK
Ga the uex: day my wife tpL me tina.
she also ha'l plans with which puSt Eot
interfere, aud she disclosed tleiu TO me.
l.u. he'd when heard them. She WAS
L" take in washing. as an accompaniment
10 my b,rbsrous operations barred her
delicate arm, aud told her thought she
would have 10 provide some other ina
chlnery TO Go il with.
a willing heart makes stout hand
she saih, reversing the old proverb.
III 1t gives you any pleasure, you may
nurse that plan of yours said, pIayfuIly,
but hardly think could endure, under
any circumstances, to see YOU ihus EN-.
.poyeJ. But what put that into your
head In your casIing stou, TO make
yourself useful, why did your choice not
fix upon something more lady like I
IT is curious sh. answered, but | re-
member saying once TO Cousin Ann, that,
II was ever reduced TO earn my own
livelihood, would PR Ter washing TO sew.
ing or teaching. never liked the mono.
.tony Of ae"iug, except for an occasional
recre-,ion and ! ,hiuk, closely followed,
it's Injurious to health. have observed
>hat washerwomen, despite their expo
sures, their ignorance Of the laws Of
health, and the priva,ions they have 10
undergo, look healthier IhaD sewing wo
men. They have not I.sA hagsard, care
,%qi. e~press.oa, Gour sewing aud my
own will afford me enough ior variety iD
this respect, and will serve Ms sedative,
after more laborious occupations. Teach
ing would be slavery, unless could chose
my own scholars. and my own mode Of
imparting ,instruetion. This could hard,
ly hope TO do. My thoughts would he
'pore free. too, engaged in The occupation
i have chosen. Aud this is much.
have so long worn mental shackleA.'
We each had a valuable gold watch
continued Elton; the sale Of these and
my wife jeweIry-rescrving only u small
bosom pin some articles OF costly
clothing, which we should not need in our
altered circumstances, purchased for us
this cottage and grounds. and sufficient
furniture to begin with. Il was in neg.
l"cted condition then. We bought il AT
low price, aud have made many improve.
menis since. ! opened q shop at once,
and the novelty Of INV ngsmenls,
having stated office hours, no doubt drew
many customers. Some dsmnrred but
explained TO them that | had an un.
doubted right to work when chose, and
il my convenience did not suit theirs,
they we're just Us much at liberty to seek
their interest elsewhere. ] secured a good
number Of regular customers from the vii
lage, and the placard on my door, with
the recommendation o. the obliging host
OF the Eagle, attracted most strangers.
And bow about the washing q play
fully asked Of my hostess.
'icsrried out INV plans about that, too.
she answered. Before coming here
spsnt few months with an aunt living
IN the country, who is a notable house
keeper Under her instructions | impfo-
we'd rapidly. learned bread making,
and how to make ap plain ga,mects and
various other things, besides the mysl cries
OF the wash tub, resolved, though Elward
opposed me s'snously 10 this, to 10 my