Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-04-12
Delicate Hands,
CAPTERII III.
THE MANSION AND THE COTTAGE.
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[CORelHded.1
Years bring changes, and fifteen years from
| The date of our first sketch found Nora ANB-
RouE the mistress Of fine mansion,-a coun-
try seat Of one of our Aounshing Western cities.
Mr.. AMBROSE had risen in his profession, and
aided by the frugality and industry of his NoRA,
had gradually increased in wealth, till he rank
cd as one OF the first citizens Of the West, and
was elected to the State Senate. Time bad not
dimmed the light in EoRA's eye; still buoyAnt
and happysheaEted, she was the joy of his
hsarthstOne.
Changes has also come over our friend CLARA,
| Early in life she had married a young lawyer
considerable wealth, but unaecustomed to
u " qnse, and stranger to labor and manage
s eCE vas not many years before their prop
nen', lel 80 = >sted, and they were obliged to ex
ot1y We -; Oacious residence for little cot
'Ls sL s.T6s ity where dRelt Senator A NIB
IS, - tbaT,b escb IA Vjy was unconscious Of
~ ,-o,,ss ~ tbs other Even here Mr.. VIII
SuT - =, m;obt have dwelt in compaFa~
t;,,s ssse and bappi6ess. had tie latter learned
in early life those habits Of con,enunent sn'
Industry 80 essential to a good home, but poor
MT. WILLARD being obliged to work against
wind and tide, having no cheering Voce at
home to encourage and strengthen him. MS
courage gradually failed, his resources were one
by one cut off, until poverty almost stared them
| in the face CLARA was at last obliged to dis
miss her only remaining servant, and as neces-
ssry resort, turn her own delicate hands to the
labors of the kitchen.
Let us take peep at CLARAs house. Break
fast is lust over, consisting of burnt beetsteak
and scorched coffee, Mr.. WILLARD, with a eavy
w heart, has returned to his days labors, while
| CIARA, with heart no lighter, proceeds TO the
domestic duties. Everything goes wrong all
through the day-nOthing is done as it should
be-dust is on the floor, cObwebs on the ceiling,
the stove is unblacked, and the room is IN dire
confusion She burns her fingers in attempting
to cook,-she can't find her spices nor her cook
book, because she never had place for them
and. finally, when Mr.. WILLARD comes home
at noon, dinner is not ready. When at last the
table ia set, the meat is raw and the gravy burnt
both void of salt, and, to soap the climax" she
had forgotten the salsratus, and her biscuits
are sour! Poor Mrs. WILLARD! Her husband
returned to his duties with a disposition moi
very much sweetened by his dinner. 1t Is Sat-
Iurday afternoon, and the weeks ironing IS yet
untouched. But it must be done, and there il
no alternative Misfortunes attend her here as
elsewhere,-the hat-irons will stick to the
starch; wet the cloth and wax the iron as che
will. still it's ''no CO." and she gives up al
last in despair. Just then she hears the SOUND
of music in the distance; she listens, and the
soft melody of "SWeet Home" is borne upOI
the air, accompanied by sweet strains Of I
uiano. 1t proceeds from the lofty mansion O.
Senator AMBROSE; she knows it not, but still
there is something in the sweet tones Of tha
voice which forcibly remind her OF other days
81 wonder who lives there" she exclaimed
"Some rich old fogy Of lady, suppose, tha
doesn't have to nope over this desPIsedi drudge
~ as I do" She leaned her head on her hand
and wept The music ceased, but long she sa
: there musing of the past, and coming at last +
the conclusion that, after all, Homework
something of an art. Presently a ring We
.. heard at the bell, and Mrs. AMBROSE was an
J noupced. The two gazed into each other
eyes, and though tins had marked the brows Oi
both. they recognized in each the friend of for
, mer wears, and united in cordial embrace.
II did not expect to find you here, CLARA
"And still more surprised am l to see you
. face once more, GORA AHBRosE )!
s.But none the less are we Tejoiced at thi
unexpected meeting; and how do you prosper
friend CLAEAl How do you relish hOusehOl
duties ~
, CLARA WrLLARp looked down; she could nc
n think what to answer; she was chagrined an
: confused, but at last replied that she was noV
r without help, left alone with her cares, and, t
: tell the truth, was quite novice in the busi
: ness.
d "Indeed !" exclaimed Mrs. AMBROSE; "bu
4 il isn't much to learn-thsre's no science no
), art in housekeeping
;, This was TOO much for CLARA. 1t carrie
y her mind back to the sunny days when I
e Mrs. LEoN's table she had first carelessl
made the same re>mark; and she burst Int
: tears.
J 'aDo forgive me, CLARA" said her friend al
have wounded your feelings. Indeed, r'
member that it was your former opinion, an
: was not aware that you had changedlt It OF late
I "EoRA AHBRosE," spoke Mrs. WILLARD
Or last, "wil you forgive me for those careleI
u words, spoken so many years ago! Alas! ho
= often since then have ] learned by sad exper
= = ence what your mother told me that day, an
y which needed not then. l was too prou
!. then to work, too proud then TO acknOwledg
rs you my superior in anything, too proud to oW
D. that this embraced any art or required any ski
How, as your good mother predicted / am OBJ
p lieed to work, and find myself ignorant an
awkward in what should know, ! cOnfel
il all, and have one great favor to ask,-ifYo
= will regard il from one so poor and humble
I.-and that is, that you will instruct me no
n in what Won learned so well in youth"
X "CLLRA," rephed Mrs. AMBROSE, most vii
: linely and gladly will assist you in all tn
D lies in my power, If you viii accept ofme as
r teacher. But BOW let Us cheer up and be warn
ID er friends than ever in youth. First let
Ss S5 proceed to the kitchen, and there commence
earnest what are among the first duties OF VIC
Z man, be she exalted or lOwly, rich or poor
One year has passed since then, and throul
=lL~R peTSegsfanca, and the patience Of b
.anoSs- Us ~. -, "a WILLARD hiss become thrii
I. 5- nd sn,css-f,l :, ,-u5sbeepeT. She has Learnt
=; u now what nothing but 1Isf ~, ~
teach her, that delicate fingers are pOs i ina'
. oalY to flourish bobbin and sweep PiaI,H A''
and that the true accomplishments. of wont
consists not sl0nO in embroidery and FAM
branches, but in filing nebly that station
life in which it has pleased Con TO plsce be
?. She has learned at last that even delicate ham
lean work-f they viii.