Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1861-05-18
ASHTABULA, O., SATURDAY MORNING. MAY is 1851.
Idle Hands.
BY T. 8. ARTHUR.


/ Mr.. Thornton came home at his usua
midday hour, and as he went by the parloT
door, he saw his daughter, young lady o
nineteen louDging on the sofa with book
in her hands. The whirr of his wife's sew.
ing machine struck on bis ear at the same
moment Without pausing in the parlor,
he kept on TO the room from which came
the sound of industry.
Mrs. Thornton did not observe the en-.
trance of her husband. She was bending
close down over her work, and the noise Of
her machine was louder than his footsteps
on the floor. Mr.. Thornton stood looking
at her without speaking.
oh, dear 7 exclaimed the tired woman,
letting herself up, this pain in my side is
almost beyond endurance
Then why do you set killing yourself
there p said Mr. Thornton
Mr.. Thornton's aspect was unusually
sober
What is the matter? Why do you
look SO serious p asked his wife.
Because | feel serious he answered.
Has anything gone wrong p Mrs.
Thorpton's countenance grew slightly troub.
led. Things had gone wrong In her hus-
bands business more than once, and she
had learned to dread the occurrence of dis.
aSter.
Things are wrong all the time' was re-
piled, with some impatience of manner.
In your business p Mrs. Thornton spoke
a little family. ...........
NO, nothing specially out of the way
there but it's all wrong at home
1 don't understand you, Harvey. What
is wrong at home, pray p
Wrong for you to sit in pain and exhaus-
tation over that sewing machine, whilst an
idle daughter louoges over novel in the
parlor. That's what l wished 10 say
1T isn't EfieS fault She often asks to
help me. But can't see the child put
down to household drudgery. Her time
will come soon enough Let her have a
little ease and comfort while she may
IF we said that Of our sons,' replied Mr.
Thornton, and acted on the word, what ef.
fcent men they would make for the worlds
work How admirably furnished they
would be for lfes trials and duties !
You are wrong in this thing-all wrong
continued the husband. And as to the
ease and comfort as you say, if Efie is
right minded girl, she will have more true
enjoyment in the consciousness that she is
tightening her mothers burdens, than it is
possible TO obtain from the finest novel ever
written. Excitement of the imagination
is no substitute orthat deep peace of mind
that ever accompanies and succeeds the right
discharge of daily duties. 1t is a poor
compliment to Efiie's moral sense to SUD-
pose that she eau be content to sit with
idle hands, or to employ them in light friv-
ollties, while her mother is worn down with
toll beyond her strength. Hester it must
not be 7
And it shall not be = said quick, firm
voice
Mr.. Thornton and his wife started, and
turned to the speaker, who had entered the
room unobScrved, and been listener to
nearly all the conversation we have record.
ed.
1T shall not be father = and Effie came
and stood by Mr.. Thornton. Her face
was crimsOned; her eyes flooded with tears.
through which light was flashing; her form
drawn up erectly her manner resolute.
1T isn't all my fault she said, and she laid
her hand on her fathers arm, I've asked
mother great many times to help her, but
she puts it of, and says it's easier to do
thing herself than to show another. Maybe
l am little dull but everyone has to
learn you know. Mother did not get
her hand in fairly with that sewing machine
for two or three weeks, and I'm certain it
wouldn't take me any longer. If she'd
only teach me how to use it, could help
her great deal. And indeed, father, |
am willing p
Spoken in the right spirit my daughter
said Mr.. Thornton, approvingly. Girls
should be usefulIy employed as well as bows,
and in the very things most likely to be re-
quired of them when they become women
in the most responsible position Of wives
and mothers. Depend upon it, Efie. an
idle girlhood is not the way to cheerful wo. |
manhood. Learn and do now. the very
things that will be required of you in after
years, and then you will have required
faculty. Habit and skill max easy what
might come hard, and be felt as very bur
densome'
And would you have her abandon all
selEimprovement.' said Mrs. Thorton. Give
up music, reading, society -
There are replied Mr.. Thornton, as his
wife paused for another word, some fifteen
or sixteen hours Of each day, in which mind |
or bands should be rightly employed Now |
let us see how Effie is spending these long
and ever recurring periods of time. Come |
my daughter, sit down. We have this sub.
ject fairly before US. 1t is one of lifelong
Importance to you, and should be well con
sidered How is it in regard to the EN-.
ployment of your time. Take yesterday,
for instance. The records of day will !
help US to get toward the result after which |
we are now searching
Eifie set down, and Mr.. Thornton drew
a seat in front of his wife and daughter.
Take yesterday for instance, said the IA
tber. How was it spent 7 You rose at
seven, thinkp
Yes, sir, came down just as the break
fast bell rung,' said Ellie
And your mother was up at half.past
FIVE know, and feeling so weak that she