Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-07-19
4 popular Gtorp.
IDLE HANDS.
BY 7. s. ARTHUR.

Mr.. Thornton came home at his usua
midday hour, and as he went by the par
lor door, he saw his daughter, young
lady of nineteen, lounging on the sof;
with "a book in her hands. The whir
of his wlfe's sewing machine struck OF
his ear at the same moment. Without
pausing at the parlor, he kept on to the
room from whence came the sound of in.
dustry.
Mrs. Thornton did not observe the en-.
trance of her husband She was bend.
ing close down over her work, and the
noise Of the machine was louder than
his footsteps on the floor. Mr.. Thorn
ton stood looking at her some moments
without speaking.
"Oh, dearl' exclaimed the tired wo-
man, letting her foot rest on the treadle
and Strengthening herself, I" this pain in
my side IS almost beyond endurance"
" Then why do you sit, killing your
self" said Mr.. Thornton.
Mr.. Thornton's aspect was unusually
sober
What's the matterl Why do you
look so seriousY asked bis wife.
{" Because ] feel serious" he answered
HAS anything gone wrong ?" Mrs.
Thorntou's countehance grew slightly
troubled. Things bad gone wrong 10 her
she had business more than once, and
husbands learned to dread the occurrence
Of disaster.
Things are wrong all the time, was
replied, with some impotence of man
ner
In your business ?" Mrs. Thorn
ton spoke little family.
mo, nothing especially out of the
way there, but it's all wrong at home. :"
i don't understand yon, Harvey.
WHAT'S wrong at home, pray ?"
Wrong for you to sit in pain and
exhaustion over that sewing machine,
whilst an idle daughter lounges over a
novel in the parlor. That's what l wish
cd to say"
1t isn't Eiiio's fault. She often asks
to help me but | can't see The child put
down to household drudgery. Her tune
will come soon enough. Let her have a
little ease and comfort while she may"
If we said that of cur sons" replied
Mr.. Thornton, "and acted on the word.
what efficient men they would make for
the worlds work How admirably fur
nishsd they would be for life's trials and
duties. 1t is poor compliment to Efiie's
moral sense to suppose that she can be
content to sit with idle bands, or to en-
ploy them in light friyolties, while her
mother is worn down with toll beyond
her strength. Hester, it must not be {"
And it shall, not be-" said quick
and firm voice.
Mr. Thornton and his wife started,
and turned 10 the speaker, who had en-
tered the room unobserved, and been a
listener to all the conversation we have
recorded.
1t shall not be, father!' And Ellie
came and stood by Mr.. Thornton. Her
face was crimson; her eyes flooded with
tears, through which light was flashing
her form drawn up erectly; her manner
resolute. Il" II isn't my fault, ;" she said
aud she laid her hand on her fathers
arm. "I've asked mother great many
times to let me help her, but she always
puts me off. and says it is easier to do
thing herself than to show another. May
be am little dull, but every one has
to learn, you know Mother did not get
her hand in fairly with that sewing ma
chine for two or three weeks, and I'm
certain il wouldn't take me any longer.
If she'd only teach me how to use il, ]
could help her great deal. Aud, in
deed. father, I'm willingp
Spoken in the right spirit, my daugh-
ter" said Mr.. Thornton, approvingly.
Z" Girls should be usefully employed as
well as boys, and in the very things
most likely TO be required Of them when
they become women in the most respon-
sible position Of wives and mothers De-
pend upon il, EiIie, an idle grlhood is
not the way to cheerful romanhood