The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1859-04-13
WHAT SHALL BE DONE WITH MARTHA9

of sewing that Martha speaks of has be-
come very serious affair. IT'S true has.
tened to buy her most approved sewing
machine, as soon as such an article was
heard of. "Now, Martha" said |, "here is
machine that will do your sewing all up
by magic, so farewell TO work baskets,
needles, and thimbles-let me see no more
of those wearisome things" Martha was
delighted with my gift, and soon learned to
use it skilfully; but, if you'll believe me,
she works as constantly as before; and 10
all my inquiries and remonstrances only re-
plies, "Oh, you men have no idea how
much fitting and finishing there is TO be
DONE" Between you and me, | really be-
lieve my wife has multiplied the number of
garments in proportion to her facility for
making them. (There's dozen of shirts
beautifully stitched for myself; now those
were really necessarily She points with
pride 10 Charley, Jane and Fancy, and
seys she sees no children better dressed on
the street, and her motherly heart is satisfied;
but must she wear out her valuable life for
this2 She has suffered greatly from neu.
ralgia during the past year. | consulted
her doctor; he said, at is getting to be a
very common disease, very common, parlic.
ularly among females; the nervous disease
is easily prostraled, she must be careful
try aconite and belladonna-let her take ex-
nrcise IN tho nnon -b,ya rroodn,, fro,,,
care-if she is not better, call me in."-
Exercise in the open air. Why, that is
wholly out of the question. Martha is busy
within doors all day long, makes capital
pies, cake, and preserves, and will not trust
any domestic with this department of cook.
ing: 10 tell the truth, | should not fancy
these things made by any other hands -
Then she prefers ironing her own muslin,
the children's undersleeves, etc.; servants
tear fine things so. So with many other
little matters about the house. Bnt these
things would be pleasure if she could rest
after them. But there are our children
were there ever such noisy ones before? |
suppose so, as they are really an institution.
Jane and Charley are so nearly of an age,
and both are favored with such remarkable
inventive powers, that they aid each other
in getting up all kinds of mischief and noise.
Now on the back of a chair, reaching over
the open crate to the manie piece, now al
the sewing machine, arranging and OLD
stocking under the pad, and hurrying 10 gel
Though before mamma appears; now gal
loplng up and down the room like wild
horses, which last operation, being most
harmless, is submitted to by poor weary
Martha, who is trying TO rest on the lounge
But there goes Fanny! The dear little thing
used 10 be perfect sunbeam in the houses
but she is irritable from teething, and ma.
ma must rise and take her. / tried 10 get a
nurse for her, but the careful mother dis
covered SO many defects that she preferred
looking after the children herself. In all
this | have not touched upon the numerous
guests, who, finding Martha's house.keep.
ing excellent, and her table so abundant
often claims our hospitality. When can
she take the fresh air? When can she find
freedom from care? What shall be done fol
our Martha?
A year or two ago Marha's sister spent
some time with us. She was a returned
missionary from India, and from constant
association with the English residents there
had become thoroughly English in her taste
and feelings. Our manner Of life evidently
disturbed her. She telt no sympathy with
our nervous hurry and excitement. "Oh
you Americans do not know how to enjoy
life," she would say; "you need 10 take a
few lessons from the English. They sacri.
fee far less to outward show, but enjoy in.
finitely more in their families. The money
you all expend in equaling or outshinng
your neighbors, would purchase for you a
host OF simple pleasures" pondered hel
words. 1t is true, thought ], that take
Martha and children drive every eve, after
business is over, but that is all. The chill
dren's noise disturbs me; they are hurried
to bed, and are not up when | start for the
store, SO seldom see them, and can oI
course do little for them. Recently came
across little book, written by Mary Hewitt
al the solicitation of friends, describing then
manner of educating their daughters, and
there had nearer glimpse of English
life. The mother read the life of our Saw.
ior, and pointed out the lessons of practical
wisdom and piety to her child; the father
led her out into the grand old woods, and
there pointed out the sublime beauty of the
prophets; whilst from the book of nature he
learned her the voice of every warbler she
listened to, and the name of every leaf and
tree she gazed upon. And when the little
girls health seemed delicate, the mother al
once removed TO one oil those charming
cottages which the English ever seem ready
10 lend or hire, ready furnished, TO one an.
other; and there in quiet farmhouse, on
the shores of beautiful lake, she drank in
the fresh air, and gathered strength from
long rides on her little pony, or equally long
walks through the woods with her mother
And when her father could find leisure
day, he would'tak friend or two in his
lilIle boat, and stopping for his wife and
A<<k Ialra 10