Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-07-25

herself than 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 una
chine for two or three weeks, and | am
certain it wouldn't take me any longer,
If she'd only teach me how to use it, |
could help her great deal. And, in-
deed, father, I'm willing"
Spoken in the right spirit, my daugh-
ter, said Mr. Thornton, approv'ngly. -
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 responsible
position of wives and mothers. i'epcnd
upon it, Eiiie, an idle girIhooi is not the
way to cheerful womanhood. Learn to
do now the very thi'gs that will be re-
quircd Of you in after years, and then
you will have acquired facility. Habit
and skill makes easy what might come
hard, aud be felt as very burthensomc
And you would have her abandon all
self Improvement said Mrs. Thornton:
give up music, reading, society!
There are, replied MIR. Thornton. as
his wife paused for another word, some
fifteen or sixteen hours in each day in
which mind or hands should he rightly
employed. Now let us see how Eitic is
spending these long and ever recurring
periods of time Come. my daughter,
sit down. We have this subject fairly
before us. 1t is one of lifelong impor-
tance to you, and should be well consid-
cred. How is it in regard to the employ
mcut of your time? Take yesterday, for
instance The records of a day will helE
US to get towards the result after which
we are now searching
Eflie sat down aud Mr.. Thornton drew
a chair in front Of his wife and daugh.
ter.
Take yesterday, for instance said
the father. How was it spent? You
rose at seven in the morning
Yes, sir; came down just as the
breakfast bell was rung.' said Etlln.
And your mother was up at hat past
five, know, aud feeling SO weak chat
She could hardly dies, herself But fcr
all this she was at work Until break fast
time. Nov, you had risen at SIX, and
shared your mothers work until seven,
yon would have taken an hour from her
days burthens, and certainly lost moth
ing from your music, self Improvement
or social Intercourse. How was it after
breakfast? How was the morning spent?
i practiced on the piano an hour at
ter break fast
so far 20 good. What thcn?'
Il read The Cavalier until eleven o.
clock
.Hr. Thornton shool; his head and ask
cd, after eleven, how was the time spent?
4 dressed myself aud went out.
And what time did you 90 out?'
a little after twelve o'Iock
An hour was spent in dressing?'
Yes, sir.
'Whcre did you GOT
4 called for Ellen Boyd, and we took
walk drwn broadway
And came home ust in time for din
ncr? think | met you at the door?
Yes, SIR
How was it after dinnerY
4 slept from three until five, and then
took bath and Dire essed myself From
,ix until tea time, | sat at the parlor
window
and after tcaF'
Read Cavalier until I went to bed
AT what hour?'
Eleven o'clock
Now we can make up the account,
said Mr.. Thornton.
You arose at seven an retired at ell
even Sixteen hours And from your
account of the day. hut sin EIe honr was
.p"nt in anything u-ctI--lhat was the
hour at your piano. Now, your mother
was up nt half past five, and went to bed
FOR sheer inability to sit at work any Ion
ger, at half past nine Sixteen hours
Tor her, also. How much reading did
you do IN that time?
And Mr.. Thornton looked at Mrs.
Thornton.
Reading! Don't talk to me of reading!
have no time to read. Mrs. Thorn
on answered little impatcntly. The
contrast of her daughters idle hours with
ner own life of exhauSting toll did rot
effect her very pleasantly.
And yet, said Mr.. Thornton, you
we're always very fond o: reading, and |
,an remember when no day went by
without au hour or two passed with your
books. Did you lie down after dinner?
'Of course not!
Nor take pleasant walk on Broad
vay? Nor sit at the parlor window with
iffie? How about that? Now, the case
S very plain one, continued Mr.. Thorn
on. IN fact, nothing could be palmer.
You spend from fourteen to sixteen hours
day in hard work, while Efiie, taking
yesteruay as II sample. spends about the
ame time in what is little better than
dlcness. suppose a new adjustment
we're to take place, and Ellie were to he
Employed in helTing you for eight hours
very day, she would still have eight
lours left for self-improvement ard re-
reation, and you reli we'd from your
present overta ked condition, might get
pack portion of the health and spirits
If which these too heavy household du
les have robbed you.
Father! said Ef'ie speaking through
ears that were faI,ng over her face, i
never saw things III this light. Why
nave you not talked to me before? I've
often felt as if | would ike to help 9th,
,r But she never gives me any thing
20 do, and if 1 offer to help her she says,
You cannot do it. or had rather do
it myself Indeed, 1t is not all my fault.
1t may not have been in t 'e past, FL
lie. replied Mr.. Thornton. But it will
be in tue future, unless there