Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1863-09-24
Moral Calf.
THE VALUE OF ENERGY.
DY MRS. ANNA TREAT.

Mrs. Mcrvln was seated in her neat
sitting room, towards the CLOSE of the
short winter day, husily sewing. Hcr
w"rk-hask"t. piled high with garments
cut aud ready i"r making, was on the
table at her side. Who has not a
pleasant remembrance of mothers
w"rkhaskei. ST. rarely empty? In
that willow repository was always To
he found the little roll ot soft linen for
cut fingers ; the identical butron need
ed or, just the piece of ribbon for
the boys haiband. There too was
mothers ball of wax, bearing the i'm
press Of little teeth. Many are the
old memories that are stirred by the
sight of work.basket, and with
them all is associated the memory of
the patience, gentleness. and love of
the dear one whose hands were tireless
in the labor of the family.
The little sitting-room was in fault
less order. The bookcase and chairs
of maple shone brightly in the re-
frction of the cheerful coal fire in the
CRATE. There were no tougs in the
corners, no tinger-marks upon the
doors, To Indicate the presence Of lit
tie ones in the family Mrs Mcrvin
was iastidious housekeeper, and
perhaps thonght order io he regarded
before comfort. At any rate her inur
good, healthy, happy children were
constantly being rchnkrd for the over
flowing life they manifested. They
would come in from the street with
muddy boots aud play horse with
the chairs aud scatter chestnut
shells with lavish freedom over the
carpet, but the worst effect Of il was
that il t:etted their mother keenly.
She was not aware how much aud
how easily worried she was hy oc-
currenccs so slight and yet so usual
She was, when married, some ewhat
past her youth. Her brothers and
SISTERS wrrcrariy married aud sctiled.
and she WAS left at the Homestead the,
dutiiul housckerprr of her odd Ear.
ents, who were b"ii sickly. In their
wcll-orderea hnmc undislurhcd quiet
and tranquility rel. She learned
io hove the calm. unevrnttul course ot
her life, aud when al the death of her
parents she married Mr.. Mervin, IA
prosperous mechanic, aud man ot
strong hume affections. with IA nature
like the sunshine at summer, overflow.
ing with gladncss. il was hardly Ia hc
wondered al that the suldrn chang
from her former life was iun startling
t. be agreeable. But, although she
was al first shocked To fiud that her
husband did not walk with the cat.
like tread ut a slppered invalid. nor
speak with the faint voice al weak
ness. aud that hc had AN invet. rate
habit of staining doors, when fairly
reused from the torpor of her tormc,
liir--hiS quick. elastic tread. aud
cleerial, manly tones, seemed posi-,
tive relief
But with the advent Of her children
Mrs Mrrvin lost her peace aud seren
ity. To fiud that she conld NOT keel
her ronms in ianliless order thai tbs
little rogncs. regardless of chanc,
1
/ her work basket over the floor, anf
pile their building blocks on the SCI
| ia, were sources of serious trouble (,
her for she was not a woman to pass
quietly over little disturbing Incl
dents. When during the presence o
visitors any little mishap occurred
which "a few laughing words of apollo
gy would easily have set right. hel
confusion and distress were So evi
dent AS TO be positively painful t.
see
Then, she could not have her meals
punrtually ready and although he
husband. thoughtful aud considerat
beyond the average of his race, neve
found fault, but chcertully relieves
her at the care which hindered her e'
forts tan uncxampled fact, still sh
valued her reputation as housekeepe