The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-08-25
A Word to Girls.

IA UOAu W UIlASs
Among the most essential accomplishment
of young woman, house-wifer takes prom
ising position and we are not inclined to ad
nit that any girl has received good educa
ton unless she has learned to be mistress of
house No matter how well you may hav
been instructed in all the accomplishments o
a finishing school, your education is still un
finished, if you are ignorant OF household du
ties; and whether your position in life is sucl
as to demand your actually discharging thos
duties yourself, or whether you have simpl,
to see that they are discharged by others, i
is equally important that you should know al
about them You expect to be the mistress
of home? Remember, then, that your owl
comfort and happiness as we'll as the happi
ness and comfort of your husband, depend
upon your ability to order that home well.
Now, in all probability, we are addressing
those in humble circumstances. Very likely
you will have to work hard with your hands
to make your own home an attractive place
Well, learn how to do this. Perhaps we are
speaking to those who may marry men O.
competence and wealth. Well, knowledge
of good housewifery is essential to you, other
wise you must rely entirely upon your ser
wants, and instead Of being mistress of your
own house, will only be guest; your life be
made miserable by careless and neglectful do
mcstics, who impose upon your Ignorance.
In order to become acquainted with your
household duties, enter upon them now. You
say you are occupied. You are engaged in
study, or you are engaged in some new bust
ness. Persevere in either case, by all means,
but recollect that the regular performance of
special duties in the house will form an ex-
cellent relief. To feel that the house is tidier
for our efforts, and the comfort of the family
increased, is the surcst warrant Of content
and cheerfulness Find some household
work to do and do it regularly. Learn to
help yourselves, and to be Independent of all
circumstances.
"Were I as rich as Croesus," says mod
ern writer, smy girls should have something
to do regularly, just as soon as they became
old enough to do any thing. They should, in
the first place, make their own bed and take
care of their own room They should dress
each other My policy would be, as girls grew
up, to assign to them special duties, first in
one part of the house, and then in another,
until they should become thoroughly acquaint-
ed with all.
A thoughtful girl looks beyond the pres
emit. She knows ard feels that the glory of
her life is to do something and to be some
thing. Possibly, some Of our readers may
have formed the idea that ease and personal
enjoyment are the ends of life. This is
wrong Development, in the broadcast sense,
and in the highest direction, is the end of life.
You may find case with it, and a great deal
of precious enjoyment, or your life may be
one of long experience of self denial You
have got position to maintain; you have
got to take load upon your shoulders and to
bear it through life; you have got a charac
ter to maintain; and let US hope you may
have the heart of husband to cheer, and the
intellect and affection OF children to develop.
Self-enjoyment is not for you. You have
great work to do, and if you have spark of
the true fire in you, your heart will respond
to these words. You are not called upon to
occupy prominent position before the world,
influence which shall prove the world better.
Remain where God places you. Some of the
noble conqucsts have been achieved in
humble home.
We would urge upon you to begin life,
then, with right ideas about it. Life is
real and earnest thing; it has homely duties
painful passages, and load Of care Guilt
7atc the will and wish to meet it with WON
anly spirit Your imagination may clothe
the future with gold and purple, but all this
will fade as you approach, and everything will
wear its own natural aspect when touched by
experience. Then if these ideas of life real
ity have no place in you, you will be forced
to acquire them sternly and patiently. Learn
them you must. Begin, then, to take up
lfe's duties now Learn something of what
life is, before you enter on its graver respon-
sibilties; endeavor to train yourself for the
discharge of its duties, that you may at last
acquit them after the pattern of that good
wife. of whom the inspired author writes
strength and honor are her clothing and
she shall rejoice in time to come"