Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-03-20
Sflttt Mistrllanp.
Work and Worrx.

have two neighbors who interest me consid-
erably. For some time past have been observ-
ing them pretty closely-obserying them as
philosopher. The humanitary aspect of the case
/ keep out of sight as much possible, that
would distusb my mind. /. philosopher YOU know,
must dwell in a serene atmosphere One of my
neighbors is a poor woman, with four children
wholly dependent on her for food and clothing
The other is the wife of a citizen comfortably
well of, and has two servants to do the work of
her household. II is about two years since
commenced observing them, and both have failed
considerably in that time If the work of ex-
hanstion continues as rapid as it has been going
on for the last twelve months il will only take a
year or two more to complete their life histories.
Ny poor neighbor, think, will hold out longest,
as the disease from which she is suffering does
not break down the constitution so quickly as the
one that has robbed my other neighbor's cheeks
of their bloom, and heR step of its lghtness.
Yesterday called in to see Mrs. NJ, my
poor neighbor. found her standing over a wash
ing tub, with pale, weary face. 1t was three
O'Clock in the afternoon, and, from the quantity
and condition of her work, it was plain that she
had yet two hours of exhausting labor before
her.
always hard at work, Mrs. NJ said 1.
"Yes," she answered, with a faint smile. 81
and work are old friends"
Work" remarked, "is friend that sticks
"You may well say that" was her reply to
this, with an amused expression on her thin face;
II am works favorite sister"
81 smiled in return, and said:
"You manage to keep cheerful with it all, Mrs.
M"
Mot always cheerful, and never very sad; l
sing at my work sometimes, and that makes it
lighter"
/ glanced around the room. To my eyes every
thing wore cheerless aspect. Two neglected
children were playing the floor. Perhaps j
ought not to say neglected, for their faces were
clean, and their clothes not in a very bad con-
dition- Yet it was plain to see that the moth
er's hands were too full of work 70 care for them
properly.
Singing" said /, "s better than signing. ]
am glad that you have heart enough to sing Al
your work."
"why shouldn't II Everybody has to work
some harder than others, it is true: but it all
goes in the lifetime. / am too thankful to gel
work to sit down and cry over it"
"And so you sing to make it lighterG"
"Yes," she answered in quiet way.
"Your health is not very good?" said /.
"Not so good as it was a year ago. / tire
more quickly and suffer oftener with bad head
aches Oflate have been a good deal troubled
with pain in my side. But try not to think o.
it, Thinking about pains and troubles you know
always make them worse"
"Iknow some people," said /, "who would b
happier than they are if they had few grains o
your philosophy"
"Our minister says that we make, for tn,
most part, our world of happines or misery. Ant
i believe him. Why, if gave way to gloomy
thoughts 1 should make myself wretched all th'
day long But what would be the use of that
It wouldn't tighten my work any. but make i
heavier; and dear above knows, il is heav,
enough nowl Some one has said that worr,
l. Ia =. II
do to keep up under the burden of work; worry
and would break down in a week. l don
trouble myself great deal about what / can
help, and try to act on the precept of the Goo
Book which says, "take thought for the NOR
row." The truth is, it's as much as can
to take thought for each day as it comes along
We only have day at time. you know, an
it's my belief that. if we improve our to-day
rightly, God will take care of our to- morrows."
Mrs. M-bent down over her washing -tu
and resumed her work, adding she did so:
But we must improve our nows as well as on
to-days. I've got full two hours work ahead O
me, and mustn't stand idling."
sat a while longer talking with Mrs. NJ
and then retired saying to myself, "Poor woman
your work is too hard for you. 1t is wastin
your life away. Your slender frame was neve
made for toll like this"
Passing from the door of my humble neighbo
/ crossed the street, and rang at a house of NOR
imposing aspect than hers. A servant SHOVE
me into hansomely furnished parlor, where
waited several minutes for the lady whom
had called. ~
"Are you sick, Mrs. B-?'' said I, as too
her hand and looked with concern into my neigf
bor's pale troubled face
mot sick" she answered, but worried ha
out of my life. Sit down am glad to see you.
What has happened to worry you,'' / il
quired; anything more than usualg'
There's always something more than usu
happening in this house." she replied in fretfi
way; cit seems to me that nothing goes righ
Just come up stairs and III show you SOM
thing"
She arose and followed her, ascending to Il
chamber on the next floor. Ii had been newl
papered, saw at a glance.
''Now just look at that borierl" she said poin
ing upwards. "Isnt it horrid2 IL spoiis th
whole effect Of the room. The piece chos
was lovely. What possessed the man to subst
tute this Is more than can tell. He came viii
was out and the room was finished when r,
turned"
looked at the border but made no remark.
'sDid you ever see anything so outlandishi
said Mrs. B, with expression of disgust q
her face.
/ suppose il must be sent down to my want
taste in things ornamental but l could not see
what the border was out of keeping with d
style of paper. To me il was very neat and a
propriate.
al can never endure itl'' calculated Mrs b
in disturbed manner. Never The man mu
take it off,. 1t will be a constant eye-sore. Al
Just look how poorly he has matched the patte
under that window"
looked TO the place indicated, but my ey
failed too see the defect. On going nearer, ho'