The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1870-06-01
familp Readings ano Mems ltems.

BY T. S. ARTHUR.

Mr.. Thornton returned home at his usual
midday hour, and as he passed by the parlor
door be saw his daughter, young lady OF
nineteen, lounging on the sofa with a book
in her hand. The whirr Of his wife's sewing
machine struck on his ear at the same mo-
ment. Without pausing at the par.or door
he kept on to the ro m tro.n which came the
soundof industry.
Mrs. Thornton did not observe the en-
trance Of her husband. She was bending
c.ose down over her work, and the noise OF
Aas- -aAaahiae xas Louder than his footsteps on
her for some time without speaking.
oh, dear. exclaimed the tired woman,
letting her foot rest upon the tread.e. and
Strengthening herself up, this pain in my side
is almost beyond endurance
Then why do you sit killing yourself
there?' said Mr.. Thornton.
Mr.. Thornton's aspect was unusually So
Der.
What's the matter! Why do you look so
serious!' asked his wife.
Has anything gone wrong! Mrs. Thorn
toms countenance grew slightly troubled.
Things had gone wrong in her husband S
business more than once, and she had learned
the occurrence of disaster.
Things are wrong all the time, be replied
in some impatience Of manner.
In your business Mrs. Thornton spoke a
little family.
No, nothing especially out Of the way
there, but it's all wrong at home
p1ok
wrong at home. pray?"
Wrong for you to sit in pain and exhaus
ton over that sewing machine. while an idle
daughter lounges over novel in the par or
That what wished to say
1t isn't Efie's fault, She often asks t
help me. But can't see the child put dow
to household drudgery. Her time will com.
soon enough. Let her have lit ease ant
comfort while she may
five said that Of our sons, replied MIR
Thornton, and acted on the word, what eff
cient men they would make fol life's tlial
and duties.
You are wrong in this thing-all wrong
continued the husband. And if Efie is ;
rieht-minded girl. she will have more tru,
ENJOYMENT in the consciousness that she il
tightening her mothers burden, than it ii
possible to obtain from the finest novel evel
written. Excitement for the imagination j.
no substitute for that deep peace Of mind tha
ever accompanies and succeeds the right dis
charge of daily duties. 1t is poor compli
ment to Efie's moral sense to suppose tha
she can be content to sit with idle hauds, Of
70 vs.sysvy So ehA s-;--ei:.:~-. .-h;ln ha
mother is worn down with toll beyond he
strength. Hester, it must not be-
Aud it shall not be- said quick. firm
voice.
Mr. Thornton and his wife started, an,
turned to the speaker. who had entered tn
roem unobseryed. and been listener t
nearly al the conversation which we hav
recorded.
1t shall not be. And Efie came and stoo
by Mr.. Thornton. Her face was crimson
| her eyes flooded with tears, through whic
/ light was flashing. her form drawn up erectly
her manner resolute.
/ It isn't all my fault, she said, As she lsi
hc- hand on her fathers arm. I've aske
mother great many times to let me bel
, her, but she always put me Of. and says it,
easier to do a thing herself, than to show an
lother. Maybe am little dull-but ever
one has to learn, you know. Mother didn
get her hand in fairly with that sewing m;
chine for two or three weeks; | am certai
it wouldn't take me any longer. If sh
!, would only teach me bow to use It l coul
help her great deal. And, indeed, fathe
am willing.
Spoken in right spirit, my daughter
tsaid Mr.. Thornton. approviugly. Cir
should be as usefully employed as boys, au
in the very things most likely to.be require
: Iof them when they become women in the n
/ sponsible positions Of wives aud mother
Depend upon it. Efie. an idle girldood is N