The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-04-17
WORK AND WORRY.

HiNe JWo helgHOOTS 'WHO luJofoSb iilo
considerably. For some time past have
been observing them pretty closely-ob-
serving them as philosopher. The hu-
manitary aspect of the case keep out of
sight rs much as possible, as that would
disturb my mind. I, philosopher you
know, must dwell in a serene atmosphere.
One of my neighbors is n poor woman,
with four children wholly dependent on
her labor for food and clothing. The 9TH
er is the wife of citizen comfortably well
off, and has two servants to do the work
of her household. 1t is about two years
since | commenced observing them, and
both have failed considerably in that
time. If the work Of exhaustion contin-
ues rs rapid as it has been going on for the
last twelve months il will only take year
or two more to complete their life histo-
ries. My poor neighbor, l think, will
hold out the longest, as tho disease from
which she is suffering docs 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
ightness.
Yesterday ! called in to see Mrs. NJ,
my poor neighbor. / found her standing
over a washing tub, with pale, weary
face. 1t was three o'clock in the after
noon, and, from the quantity and condi-
ton Of her work, il was plain that she
bad yet two hours of exhausting labor
before her.
always hard at work, Mrs. NJ"
said |.
"Yes," she answered with faint smile.
81 and work are old friends"
"Work," l remarked, ais friend that
sticks to some people closer even than a
brother" ..
"You may we'll say that" was her re-
ply to this, with an amused expression on
her thin face; "I am works favorite sis
ter"
l smiled in return, and said: " You
manage to keep cheerful with it all, Mrs.
NJ"
/" Not always cheerful, and never very
sad; | sing at my work sometimes, and
that makes it lighter" r.r
/ glanced around the room. To my
eyes everything wore a cheerless aspect
Two neglected children were playing on
the floor. Perhaps | ought not to say
neglected, for their faces were clean, and
their clothes not in very bad condition,
Yet it was plain to SEQ that the mothers
hands were too full of work TO care fol
them properly.
"Singing," said |, sis better than sigh
ing. l am glad you have heart enough
TO sing at your work." 1900
"Why shouldn't work? Everybody
has to work; somo harder than others, il
is true; but it all goes in the lifetime. ]
am too thankful to get work 10 sit down
and cry over it.'do kas tioIiaE
"And you sing to make it lighter"
Yes" she answered in a quiet way.
"Your health is not very good" said L
"Not so good as it was a year ago
l tire moro quickly and suffer oftener will
bad headaches. OF late l have been {
good deal troubled with a pain in my
side. But / Try not TO think it. Think
ing about pains and troubles, you know
always make them worse"
81 know some people," said /, "whc
would be happier than they are if theJ
had some few grains Of your philoso
ply" i np -
sour minister says that we make, 70
the most part, our world of happiness o
misery. And l believe him. Why, if
gave way to gloomy thoughts / shoulc
make myself wretched all the day long
But what would be the use of that2 z |
wouldn't tighten my work, any, but max
it heavier; and.dear above knows, il j
heavy enough now! Some one has sal,
that worry kills quicker than work, 1t
as much as l can do to keep up underth
the burden Of work; worry, and
would break down in week. | don
trouble myself a great deal about what
can't help, and try to act on the precep
of the good book which says, take n