The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-03-23

'uSu t''he theN seemed 10 nave for read :.
ing, walking, riding, or any amusemen.
to which they felt inclined. The house.
hold arrangements Of Mrs. Elton were so
well appolnte'', that the smallest possible
amoun: OF time and labor was given, TO
produce a.desired result.
With such ease and facility was every.
thing performed, tha. | thought, sure
enough, the fairies must lend their aid
Labor done IN this manner was not druid
gerry, It WAS enjoyment. There was every
thing TO s"eeten it. The sense of duty
well performed, and then the number Of
faculties that we're brought into exercise
III Its discharge conscientipnsnsss, love of
beauty, order, constructiveness, approba.
tiveness. the desire to confer happiness-all
pleasantly employed The muscular excr.
ton, too, just about what was sufficient
o',heaIth. Ehe two weeks spent there
were in summer. They usually rose about
SIX. They mad no rigid rules for very
early rising. Elton said he didn't care
about getting up until nature had made
her toilet. Elton worked in his garden,
read, or chatted, as inclination or circum.
stances dictated, till breakfast. Mrs.
Elton employed herself about household
matters, but her breakfast arrangements
were 80 simp'e that she usually found
time to join IN these amusemen,s or EN-
ployments before their breakfast hour,
WHICH was at eight. They used tea and
coffee, and both were made in the best
manner, but they partook Of them
spar'ngly. They always had abundance
OF fruit OF various kinds for the table, and
Mrs. Elton told me she kept it fresh for
winter use, so they had u full supply the
year round. This fruit was never made
into pies or preserves They rclished it
better in its natural state, and thought it
more wholesome. SO there were three
advantages in using it in this manner
The rIetsnre C. p.rtaking it was incress
ed, health WAS prowo,ed, and time and
expense saved. The cream, too, was eaten
without being churned into butter. This
! voted An impr ovement. When parta
Ken OF with warm rolls, or griddle cakes.
with tue addition Of a little, salt, thought
1t delicious. | had no. doubt it was more
heaIthful, besides being a saving of labor.
MIS-. Elton prepared but two meals dav,
breakfast at eight, and dinner at four
For luncheon, II desired, they took some
fruit, n sandwich, a slice Of bread and
honey, CT something OF the kind. | shall
never forget what luxurious repas, /
had one day on n bowl Of baked sweet
apples and milk, with some Of Ms Eton's
beautiful light bread crumbled into il. |,
WAS feast fit for kir..
a boy, son Of poor widow living
near, was employed to do the milking,
and perform some other offices about the
house and garden. This afforded an
opportunity to assist the widow, and gave
them more leisure.
Elton and his wife usually had wall;
together every day in fine weather. They
reaf! to each other. He read to her while
she sewed, and, as she laughinglv lold
me, she read to him while he lounped on
the sofa after the labor Of the dav was
over. They rode IN horseback, or in
some other way, about once week. Con
veyances were cheap, and Elton told Inc
that so homely had his tastes become, he
enjoyed ride with gust as great a zest
As .Iough lie had to pay dollar AN
hour. Twice year they made Jour
ney, longer or shorter. according to
circumstances. This afforded variety and
fre'h air TO their lives, gave them change
OF ideas, and new subjects Of .cppversation
Mrs. Elton was always neatly aud
becomlngly dressed, but her wardrobe
WAS exceedingly simple. One Of her
amusements was drawing, in which she
excelled. Her husband showed me one
day portfolio Of her sketches, many ot
which were really beautiful, and had
been taken form views near.
'And how | asked, piayfulIy, 'abou,
the feminine employmen, OF embroidery
| see no traces OF il anywhere
Though my wife said Elton, seeks to
initiate nature with her pencil, she is never
guilty of libeIling ker with her needle
But justice compels me to saw said
Mrs. Elton, that had sins Of that kind
to answer to- before nv taste was correc
ted by better
Elton smiled and bowed pIayfully at
;bo compliment.
Perhaps, said he, you notice also the
absence Of the feminine accompaniment
OF house plantsr
Il have remarked it, answered, 'an1
nave aImost wondered that your wife.
love Of the beautiful did not lead her to
cultivate them
1t was matter Of calculation replied
Mrs. Elton. 4 have a stated round o
duties. among which | include my pleas
ures and amusements---and certain por
ton Of time to perform them in, so it be
comes Decessary to ADJUST one to the
other in the best manner possible. had
some rare and beautiful flowers, to which
l endeavored to be faithful foster moth
er, apportioning them the dew and th,
sunshine at proper seasons. loved my
flowers, and fancied they appreciated my
care. But upon reflection came 20 th,
conclusion that the time consumed in tn,
care OF plants so delicate that they requir,
constant watchful, ess lest the breth o
4 -. Il