Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-03-09
LESSONS AT THE wAsH-TuB.
BY LRrrIn


"oh, dear with DR.. Holden had never gone
to Europe,n said Ella Wilson 10 her older sister,
as she took her place early one Monday morning
at the wRsh-tub h
"Why, what difference does that make to you,
Ella 1t certainly improves his health very
much, and manners too, think"
THAT may be but he has put such ideas in
mothers head. Instead OF recommending for
me to ride horseback, or play croquet, or any
exercise that is fashionable, to regain my
strength, he has made her believe that standing
at this wash tub will do more for me than any
thing else. heard him explain to her the eff
feet of the warm Ruds on the nervous system.
and with what wonderful success II had been
tried on several patients he visited In Europe
Just look at my red hands What will Harry
say, il he calls this evening 2"
iIf he is q sensible young man, he will not
think less Of you for that. Red hands are no
disgrace, and il the color comes back to your
cheeks in consequence, you viii gam more than
you lose"
"Nell, one thing knoto, IL conclude to ac-
cept him, and become his wife, he will not wish
me to labor In this way"
Ella was right in her conclusions for when
Harry called that evening, and she promised to
be his forever, he told her Gas he noticed her
hands were not as white as formerly she should
never have to put them in the wash tub after
she became his wife.
Harry Belden was young man of considerable
business capacity, living just for the present,
making money and spending it as he went. with
out any thoughts Of the higher ends (?) and mob
| ler purposes of life. In selecting companion
he had looked for one who could make show
| in the world, and crafty his selfish pride, and
| thought he had found the one he sought in Ella
/ wilson Hers was a character that might have
/ been moulded into almost any form; naturally
| gentle and loving, her great lack was decision,
/ so that In ten years after their marriage you
would hardly have recognized her former self at
/ ALL 30 completely had she oonformed to her hus-
bands ideas in everything. They were not quite
so prosperous now as they had been, for failing
| to acknowledge Gods hand in their daily mer-
cies, and consuming His blessings wholly upon
themselves, they were wanting in that sweet
CONSEQUENCES Of heartfelt Joy that comes only
to those who know how to deny themselves fol
others happiness. Five years, and we look al
them again three rooms is the extent Of theil
home, and Ella is standing at the desplsed wash
tub, not now murmuring thather hands must bt
discolored by such healthful toll, but Thankful
she ever learned so much OF labor, that she cal
| aid her husband in his failing health to earn the
means for their daily subsistence. Their richei
that gratifed their pride have vanished, thei
children, all but two, are in the grave but SHE
is happier now in that humble home than eve
before in her life. She has drank Of that foun
tain of endless joy and is looking forward Il
such glorious home, that all the privationi
here seem as nothing. hear her singing nov
at the wash-tub, and to her husband, who ha
Just come in, weary and worn, she SAYS -"Har
ry what should do now if had not years ag'
learned those lessons at the washtub ?"