Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-11-04
THE STORY OF A HOMAN.S
LIFE.

Iood morning, Mrs. Moreton. /
Just run in moment to inquire of bit
of news l have heard be true, 1t is too
incredible for me to believe, for with
all your practical ideas of life, 1 cannot
think you would carry your peculiar
notions to such a length as this"
pray what have I been doing now,
Mrs. Ellis ?" said Mrs. Moreton. as she
quietly arose and offered her visitor a
chair. "Your words and looks are
ominous. Have 1 committed such a
breach ofpropriety that Madam Grundy
has found is necessary to hurl her
thunders OF excommunication against
me? Come, silence my suspense
quickly and with a pleasant smile
the lady awaited her visitors revelation.
'Why, l am told that you have actu-
ally apprenticed Belle to a publisher,
in order that she may become a COM
positor. Every one was talking about it
last evening at Mrs. Wilson's party,
and all thought it great pity that SO
beautiful and accomplished a girl as
Isabel Morton should be withdrawn
from that society she is so well fitted to
adorn, and immured within the walls of
dingy, old publishing house, simply
because her mother chooses to sacrifice
her child to that Moloch of her's-work.
one must drift with the current you
know. Belle has just graduated with
the highest honors, and with her lovely
manners and fresh young face, might
command the most eligible match in
the city. 1t is absolutely cruel to sac
rifice the sweet girl in this way y
"Well, Mrs. Ellis, 1 take up the
gauntlet society has thrown down, and
1 shall fearlessly perform what con-
ceive to be my duty, though am never
again recognized by one of those with
whom am accustomed to associate.
Out upon these aristocratic notions
about work, imported from lands where
despotism grinds with its iron heel the
laborer and his offspring. What bust
ness have Americans harboring such
ideas 1t is my aim to make of Belle an
Independent, self reliant woman. As to
marriage, am not at all concerned
about that. The man who would scorn
her hand because that hand was able to
earn its fair possessor's support, 1
would scorn to receive into my family.
1t is my desire that she may grow up
noble, useful woman, fitted to reign
very queen in the hearts of husband
and children, should heaven bestow
such priceless gifts upon her. At the
same time, / want her character to be
SO symmetrical that should she never
meet one who appreciates her, she may
cheerfully fill up this great void in her
life by devoting herself to some noble
pursuit. l think parents commit grave
error in not practically educating their
daughters as well as their sons. In it,
and not in legislation, may be found
the solution to the vexed question that
is now agitating our sex all over the
land, and breaking out in discontented
murmurings everywhere.
go, it is all very well for people to
work whose necessities require it, said
Mrs. Ellis, "but Belle is your only
child, and will inherit your large for
tune. What need has she to work ?"
because she will be happier if she is
usefully employed. Besides, the wheel
of fortune is a revolving one, and
though to-day we may be rolling in
] luxury. to morrow may find us crushed
beneath the Juggernaut of misfortune.
Listen while 1 briefly relate the story
of my early womanhood. 1 would l
might write it as with pen of fire upon
/ the brain of every mother In the land
Oh, / cannot tell you what an intense
interest / feel in the young girls grow
ing up around me.-My heart yearns to
urge them to make speciality of what
ever their inclinations prompt them
most to do, and then concentrate every
effort upon that one pursuit until they
excel in it. But to my story 1 was the
daughter of wealthy parents, the young
est child by several years, and, of
As for me, L cannot think you are so
blind to your only daughters interests. p"
"Yes, it is true" said Mrs. Morton,
glancing up a moment from her work,
for her fingers were ever busy with
something. "But see nothing In this
to create such profound sensation:
Belle is not lost in society; she will
have many hours for recreation, and
will thus be enabled to meet any re-
sponsible demands society may make
upon her.
"No doubt she will. Is it possible,
Mrs. Morton, you do not know that
YOU are effectually banishing your
daughter from society For, OF course,
much as deplore such state of affairs,
sour set could never recognize hum
ble type-setter as one of themselves.
This is all wrong. 1 admit, but public
opiniou regulates these matters, and
course. a great pet. Of an extremely
delicate organization, my kind and in
dulpept mother shielded me from every
hardship. and grew into womanhood
a novice in the art of Housekeeping.
From a child was passionately fond of
reading. and at school excelled IN all
nv studies. Pleased with the progress
made and proud of my attalnments,
narents and teachers urged me forward,
eliminating nv ambition with words OF
encouragement, until at the immature
ace of eighteen, 1 graduated, the most
brilliant girl in Madam BIS schooi,
and carrying of, amid the plaudlts OF
friends and acquaintance, the honors
of nv class. But, alas /! l was superh,
cial in many things, for while 1t mad
been easy for me to commit my lessons,
T found it equally easy to forget them.
Keenly did feel this defect, and In
order to perfect myself, I wished. after
leaving school, to teach, but so bitterly
did nv parents oppose this that !,
welded TO their wishes, and returned
home. 1 plunged into round OF gayety
and amusement, and from this whirl OF
excitement 1 emerged the bride OF one
whom my parents did not look upon
with favor. The young man was an em
ployee in a wholesale house In the city
of i. He was poor, but possessed
well cultivated mind. unfortunately,
however, he had no chosen .raoe VI
avocation. Idleness had mase me
dreamy, visionary beng SsssannnG ann rre life in
noverty It would be SO delightful to
to;I With and for him I loved so fondly;
This IT is all very beautiful in theory, and
in : nl practice also, where there are fou,
cios0 close application to the desk. and
S.aatb;ng the upwholesome city ar,