Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08
Planning.

80 Whatsoever thy hand 6ndcth to do,
do it with thy might That means do
your work heartily and thoroughly" said
Martha Lee to herself, pausing moment
in her walk from school, to look at the
brightly coored texts in the store window
" and it's a good motto for my plan"
School had just closed for the long sum-
mer vacation, and Martha had determined
that during the portion Of it she was to
spend at home she would mark of her time,
giving to each hour its particular work or
amusement. This was the "plan" of which
the text reminded her.
Eleven O'Clock the next morning found
her in the cool, pleasant sitting room with
pencil in hand, and books before her on the
table ready for work. Her mother sat by
the opposite window, ripping to pieces one
of baby Nellie's dresses. Both were busy
and silent for some time then Mrs Lee
said, as though half to herself,
wished so much to 90 and see Mrs.
holland this morning; her little boy is sick
and she may be in need"
"Why don't you 2' asked Martha.
This dress must be picked to pieces for
Bridget to iron"
"Then why not go this aiteruOon2"
You forget that Bridget wants her holt
day to-day instead of tomorrow and that
is why I'm hurrying with this work, so she
can put her irons and ironing-board away
before dinner"
After that there was silence again. Mar
tina thought of the bright-bladed little pen
knife in erpoeket, and how easily she could
rip those seams with it; it was work she
liked, too, and if she should undertake it
her mother could make the comforting visit
to Mrs. holland; but then-but then--it
was the hour she had set for drawing, and
after resolving to be firm and allow nothing
to turn her from the path she had marked
out, how weak it would be to yield at the
very outset II it were play-time the case
would be different, but this was work, TO be
done with her might So, after mo
ment's hesitation, she went on with her
penciling and Mrs. Lee rose at last, with q
little sigh, and carried the dress pieces, all
ready now for Bridget's hot iron, into the
kitchen, remaining there to help about din
ner, that the holiday afternoon nigh
begin as early as possible,
Somehow, that sigh made Martha uncom
Portable. She wished she had not heard it
She certainly was doing right, aud it wal
annoying to be made TO feel as though il
the wrong.
But what say " our young iolks2" was
she right? All, the text meant all Martha
thought, aud something besides. "What
soever thy hand dndeth to do"
Perhaps some of you, who are growing
up, are beginning to plan out your time
aud it is right and proper for you to do SO
for as in packing trunk you can put mor'
! into it when the clothes are smoothly folded
! and each article placed in order, than wheI
: all are tossed in carelessly so you will b,
able to put more, more Of your work fol
} yourselves and others, more Of recreation
! also,--iuto your days, if you have som,
: system or plan. Only, however good you
plan may be, don't bow to it obstinately
7 in the mistaken idea that it is grand firm
J ness. We cannot know beforehand jus
what opportunities will come to us, and !
5 is not only the regular, accustomed duties
} but also the unexpected ones-whatsoeye
+ our hands find 10 do--that We are t
, do with our might Waterman a. Re
fect0r.