The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1874-08-27
The Martha of To-Day.

MARTHA is to be pitied, and all the
more because she takes no pity upon
herself. It is not SO very warm, il the
thermometer only is consulted, but it is
very oppressive weather; and Martha is,
as of old, careful and troubled about
many things. If, now, Martha were care
full only, if having finished the summer
housekeeping and provided the opportu-
nifty for term of rest, she would "sail
in" upon that platform for month or six
weeks, how much good it would do her
and those about her? But she is troubled !;
she will be; neither argument nor per-
suasion nor fatigue has any influence in
seducing her into that restfulness which
she, to say nothing Of others, SO much
needs. Born with constitutional and
vigorous executive power, having worked
both wisely and well for many years,
Martha has no idea. or, if she has, will
allow it no force, how irrevocable is the
limitation Of physical ability and how
closely connected are bodily ailments
with mental disturbances. Up to a Ger
tain point Martha rather enjoys being
rebuked for OVERRIDING; it is a compli-
ment to her industry upon which she
prides herself rather more than upon any
thing else except honest dealing; but
there comes a time when the statement
of the fact of overwork appears like in
gratitude. There is so much to do, no.
body can do it SO well as Martha, it is all
to be done for the benefit of somebody
else, for Martha doesn't sit down by her
self and eat supper, that it seems as
though there ought to be the praise
which would only stimulate to still fur
ther exertions and still further worri-
ment and work for Martha
And Martha is always more than half
right There is the indisputable fact
that somebody must look out for the
household; and Mary is very apt to do it
systematically. But the mistake Of Mar
tina is that if she does not do it it will not
be done at all; and that it must be done
all the year round just as methodically
as in its most exigent hours. Martha
can't huff and bear away if the domestic
winds blow. She has shaped her course,
and, like the new-fashioned steamers, she
cuts right through. Mary pleads for her
to take a day off, but pleads in vain;
there is no vacant time, there is no way
to make any unless, indeed, and this is
the way Martha does it, she congresses
the two days work into one, and SO un-
fits herself for the enjoyment which, un-
der protest, she processes to take. Re-
spect, esteem, confidence, and all that
sort of thing run to Martha as the sun
flower turns to the sun; and yet there is
indisputable authority that she has not
chosen for the better part. Anxious for
the comfort of others; laboring long and
late to do good; prudent, sagacious,
wholly trustworthy, of whom SO much
and SO truly can lie said in praise, and
SO equally unwise and uncharitable to
say one word in criticism, were it not
that Martha does herself the greatest in
justice. Not to go further, she throws
away her health. No matter what her
vocation, if she allow herself no recrea-
ton she surely, although it may be slow
", diminishes the days she might and
ought to live and enjoy. And there will
come at last this thought, that perhaps
her labor under the sun has after all done
. mischief to those it was Intended to
bless. Martha, you are sad case
Providence Journal