The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1860-12-05
Gbe family Gnfle.
IDLE HANDS.
By T. s. ARTHUR.

day hour, and as he went by the parlor dooI
he saw his daughter, young lady ofnineteer
lounging on sofa with a book in her hands,
The whirr Of his wife's sewing machine strucl
on his ears at the same moment. Withou
pausins at the parlor, he kept on to the room
from which came the sound Of industry.
Mrs. Thornton did not observe the entranc
of her husband. She was bending close dow,
over her work, and the noise Of ber machin
was louder than his footsteps on the floor. Mr.
Thornton stood looking at her for some mo
ments without speaking. ar ,a ,ar-a
'Oh deare exclaimed the tired woman, let
ting her foot rest on the treadle, and straight
ening herself up, this pain in my side IS almos
beyond endurance ..t.s -. .g.,
'Tken why do you sit killing yourself there,
said Mr.. Thornton. .-
Mr. Thornton's aspect was unusually sober
What is the maternity do you look sc
seriousH asked the wife. a W tlrtm
Because feel serious
'Has anything gone wrong2' arsga7A
Mrs Thornton's countenanse grew slightly
troubled; things had gone wrong in her hus
bands business more than once, and she had
learned to dread the occurrence Of disaster.
Things are wrong all the time,' was replied
in some impatience of manner.
q In your business?' Mrs. Thornton spoke Q
little aintly. Efyt4 ~g0&Er
No; nothing specially out of the way there
but it's all WRONG at home.'
I don't understand you, Harvey, What is
wrong at home, pray? '..s' t7''. ''
Wrong for you to sit in pain and exhaustion
over that sewing machine, while an idle daugh.
ter lounges over a novel in the paror. That's
what wished to say
1T ism Ellie's fault; she often asks to help
me; but can't see the child put down to house
hold drudgery. Her time will come soon en- ugh
let her have little ease and comfort while she
may g.- a.zeG
If we said that OF our sons replied Mr..
Thornton, and acted on the word, what eff
cient men they would make for the worlds
work! How admirably furnished they would
be Tor LIES trials and dutiesp
You are wrong in this thing-all wrong,
continued the husband; and as to ease and
comfort as you say, il Fife is right minded
girl she will have more true enjoyment in the
consciousness that she is tightening her mothers
burdens, than it is to obtain from the finest
novel ever written. Excitement for the imag-
nation is no substitute for that deep peace OF
mind that ever accompanies and succeeds the
right discharge OF daily duties. 1t is poor
compliment to Effie's moral sense to suppose
that she can be content to sit with idle hands
or to employ them in light frivolties
while her mother is worn down with toll be-
yond her strength. Hester, it must not be!'
'And it shall not BEL said quick, firm voice.
Mr. Thornton and his wife started and turn
ed to the speaker, who had entered the room
unobserved, and been a listener to nearly all
the conversation we have just recorded.
1T shall not be, father! And Ehie came and
stood by Mr.. Thornton. Her face was Grim.
son; her eyes flooded with tears, through which
light was flashing; her form drawn up ercctly;
her manner resolute.
1T isn't all my ault,' she said as she laid her
hand on her ather's arm. 'fve asked mother
gre,t many times to let me help her. but she
always puts me off, and says it's easier 10 do a
thing herself than TO show another. Perhaps
I'm little dull. Mother didn't get her hand
in fairly with that sewing machine for two or
three weeks, and I'm certain it would not take
me any longer. II she'd only teach me how to
use it, could help her great deal. And in
deed, father, I'm wiling9 "a
Spoken in the right spirit, my daughter
said Mr.. Thornton, approvingly. Girls should
be usefully employed as wei. as boys, and in
the very things most likely to be reqnired Of
them when they become women in the respon-
sible positions ofwives and mothers Depend
upon IT, Effie. an idle girlhood is not the way
to make cheerful womanhood. Learn and do
now the very thing that will be required Of you
in after years, and then you will have an ac-
quired facility. Habit and skill will make easy
what might come hard and be felt very burden
some.'
And you would have her abandon all self
improvement, raading, society -
There are,' replied MIR. Thornton as his wife
paused for another word, some fifteen or six
teen hours OF each day, in which the mind or
hands should be rightly employed. Now let
US see how Effs is spending these long and ever
recurring period Of time. Come, my daughter,
sit down. We have this subject fairly before us.
Il is one Of life long importance to you, and
should be we'll considered. How is it in regard
to the employment Of your time. Take sester.
day, for instance. The records OF day will
assist us to get towards the result alter which
we are row searching t4At F ,a,.,
Effie sat down, and Mr.. Thornton drew a
chair in front Of his wife and daughter. a'i1
Take yesterday for instance said the faith
er; how was It spent? You rose at seven, ]
think?' 7, E.aa esHt .a.i wae4 @ s a.
Eyes sir, came down just as the breakfast
bell was rnng,' replied Effic. a4a a. DO ,qt
And your mother was up at half past Ave
know, and complained OF feeling so weak that
she could hardly dress herself, but for all that
she was at work until breakfast time. Now IL
you had risen at six and shared your mothers
work until seveu, you would have taken aa hour
from her days burdens and certainly lost moth
ing from your music, self.improvensent or 50.