Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-01-22
IDLE HANDS.

S01a With DOCK In ner mana. Ine WHIT
of his wife's sewing machine struck on
his ear at the same moment. Without
pausing at the parlor door, he kept on to
the room from which came the sound Of
industry.
Mrs Thornton did not observe the en-
trance of her husband She was bending
close down over her work, and the noise
of her machine was louder than his foot
steps on the floor. Mr.. Thornton stood
looking at her for some time without
speaking.
''Oh, dear.' exclaimed the tired wo-
man, letting her foot rest upon the tread
lie, and Strengthening herself up, "this
pain in my side is almost beyond endur
ance"
"Then why do you sit killing yourself
there % said Mr. Thornton.
Mr. Thorntons aspect was unusually
sober.
whats the matter? Why do you look
so serious" asked his wife. HAS any
thing gone wrong?'' Mrs. Thornton's
countenance grew slightly troubled,
Things had gone wrong in her husbands
business more than once, and she had
learned the occurrence of disaster.
Things are wrong all the time he
replied, in some impatience of manner,
'In your business % Mrs. Thornton
spoke little family.
"No, nothing especially out of the way
there, but it's all wrong at home
Il don't understand you, Harvey
what is wrong at home, pray p
'Nrong for you to sit in pain and ex-
haustion over that sewing machine, while
an idle daughter lounges over a novel in
the parlor. That's what wish to say"
'It isn't Effies 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 a
little ease and comfort while she may"
eff we said that of our sons" replied
Mr.. Thornton, "and acted on the word,
what efficient men they would make for
life's trials and duties p
''You are wrong in this thing-all
wrong" continued the husband. ''And
if Efie is right-minded girl. she will
have more real enjoyment in the con-
sciousness that she is tightening her
mothers burdens than it is possible to
obtain from the finest novel ever written
Excitement for tho imagination is no sub
stitute for that deep peace of mind that
ever accompanies and succeeds the right
discharge of daily duties. 1t is a poor
compliment to Effie's moral sense to sup
pose that she can be content to sit with
| idle hands, or to employ them in light
frivolities, while her mother is worn down
with toll beyond her strength. Hester,
it must not be!''
''And it shall not be p said quick,
firm voice
Mr. Thornton and his wife started, and
turned to the speaker, who had entered
the room unobserved, and been listener
to nearly all the conversation we have
recorded.
''It shall not be '' And Effie came and
stood by Mr. Thornton. Her face wa:
crimson; her eyes flooded with tears
through which light was flashing; hel
form drawn up erectly; her manner res
olute.
sit isn't all my fault" she said, as she
laid her hand on her fathers arm. .I'vt
asked mother great many times to lei
me help her, but she always puts me off
and says it's easier to do thing herself
than to show another. Maybe I am /;
little dull-but every one has to learn
| you know Mother didn't get her hanc
: in fairly with that sewing machine fo
, two or three weeks | am certain i
| wouldn't take me any longer. If she'C
5 only teach me how to use it, could hell
: her a great deal. And, indeed, father,
, am willing"
I "Spoken in the right spirit, my daugh
/ ter" said Mr. Thornton, approvingly
| "Girls should be as usefully employed a
S boys, and in the very things most likel,
to be required of them when they becom
women in the responsible position of wive
= and mothers. Depend upon it, Efie, al
idle girlhood is not the way to cheerful
womanhood. Learn and do, now. tn
y things that will be required of you in al
, ter years, and then you will have an ac
Q quired facility. Habit and skill wi
e make easy what might come hard, an
g be felt as very burdensome. .
? "And you would have her abandon a
@ self-improvement, said Mrs. Thornton
J. "Give up music, reading, society
Y ''There are" said Mr.. Thornton, as h
t, wife paused for another word, ''some Fl
e teen or sixteen hours of each day, i
n which mind or hands should be right
IS employed. Now, let us see how Efie
n spending these long and ever recurrir
If periods of time. Come, my daughter, S
d down; we have this subject fairly befol
x us. 1t is one of great Importance to yo-
and should be well considered How
it in regard to the employment of 20,