Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-08-07
IDLE HANDS.

IDLE HANDS.
Mr. Thornton came home at his usual mid
day hour. and rs he went by the parlor door
lie saw his daughter, young lady of nineteen,
Iounging on the sofa with book in her hands.
The whirl Of his wife's sewing machine struck
on his at the same moment. Without
pausiDg at the parlor, he kept on to the room
from whence came the sound of industry.
Mrs. Thornton did not observe the entrance
of her husband. She was bending close down
over her work, and the noise of the machine
was louder than his footsteps on the floor
Mr.. Thornton stood looking at her some mo-
inents without speaking.
ooh dear !" exclaimed the tired woman,
letting her foot rest on the treadle and straight
ening herself, "this pain In my side is almost
beyond endurance"
..rhen why do you sit, killing yourself 2"
said Mr.. Tho rnton.
Mr.. Thornton's aspect was unusually sober.
ssWhat's the matter! Why do you look so
serious i'' asked his wife.
Because feel Serious" he answered.
elias anything gone wrong ~ Mrs. Thorn
toms countenance grew slightly troubled.
Things had gone wrong i'm her husband s busi-
ness more than once, and she had learned to
dread the occurrence of disaster.
ssThings are wrong all the time," was repi-
ed, with some impatience of manner.
sin yonr business 2'' Mrs. Thornton spoke
a little family
sNo, nothing especially ont of the way
there but it's all wrong at home.''
81 don't understand you, Harvey. What is
wrong at home, pray ~
..Wrong tor you to sit in pain and exhaus-
ton over that sewing machine, whilst idle
daughter lounges over ] novetin the parlor.
That's what l wished to say
at isn't Effie's 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 little and
comfort while she may"
HIf we said that of our sons" replied Mr..
Thornton, '.and acted on the word. what eff
cent men they would make for the worlds
work How admirably furnished they would
bc for lfe's trials and duties 1t is apoor
compliment 20 Efies moral sense to suppose
that she can be content to sit with idle hands,
or to employ them in light friv olties. while her
mother is worn down with toll beyond her
strength. Hester, it must not be 20
:sAnd it shall not be- said quick and firm
voice.
Mr.. Thornton and his wife started, and
turned to the speaker, who had entered the
loom unobscrved, and been listener to all the
conversation We have recorded.
..It shall not be, father ~ And Ellie came
and stood by Mr.. Thornton. Her face was
crimson her eyes flooded with tears, through
which light flushing; her form drawn up
erectly; her manner resolute. alt isn't all
my fault she said, aud she laid her hand on
her fathers arm.
s.l've asked mother great many times to
let me help her, but she always puts me off
and says it is easier to do a thing herself than
to show another. May be l am little dull
but every one 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 GER
tain it would'n take me any longer. If She ID
only teach me how to use it, l could help her
i
''Spoken in the right spirit, my daught ter"
said Mr.. Thornton, approvingly. s.Grls should
be usefully employed as we'll 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.
Depend upon it, Effie, an idle girhood is not
the way to cheerful womanhood. Learn and
do now the very things that will be required of
you in after years, and then you will have ac-
quired facility. Habit and skill make easy
what might come hard, and be felt as very
burthensOme."
"And would you have her abandon all self
Improvement" said Mrs. Thornton, 'sgve up
music, reading, society 2"
"There aIe," replied Mr.. Thornton, as his
wife paused for another word, @some fifteen or
sixteen hours of each day In which mind
hands should be rightly employed. Now let
us see how Efie 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 we'll considered.
now is it in regard to the employment of your
tlmei Take yesterday, TO. instance. The
records OF day will help us to get towards
the result after which we are now searching"
Ellie sat down and Mr.. Thornton drew chair
IN front of his wife and daughter.
Take yesterday, for instance" said the
iather "How it spent You rose at
seven IN the morning.
Yes, sir 1 came down just as the breakfast
yell was rung," said Ellie.
"And your mother was up at half-past five,
Know, and feeling weak that she could
hardly dress herself. But for all this she was
AZ work until breakfast time. Now, il you had
,sen at six, and shared your mothers work
nt seven you would have taken an hour from
s ae. days burthens, and certainly lost nothing
;.o om your music, self-improvement or social
.u'ercourse. How was il after breakfast How
was the morning spent 7''
tsst.'' W 'A0 P''AO .A -'o' -
40 far SO good. What then 7''