Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-06-08
Plea for a HOmeIy Branch of Industry.

Plea for a H0meIy Branch of Industry.
SINCE the pens of some clever writers
have been recently employed in decrying
the practice of darning, and advocating
its disuse, may it not be allowed one of
the despised sisterhOod of darners to
speak few words in behalf of an an
cient and useful, if not time honored occu-
patton? If every woman, like avery few
of whom we hear, could handle her pen
so cleyerly that all it touched should lit
orally be turned into gold, it might be
false economy to use time in preparing one
garment, when half that time spent in
composition would purchase half dozen
new ones. But the talents Of every woman
are not SO readily, if at all, convertible
into money. If, then, she uses moments
that might be idle in work that con-
tributes undeniably, if in slow way, to
the comfort of her family, ought she not
rather to be commended than blamed?
We confess to feeling honest indignation
that so-called reform should take this di-
rection, since it really seems not only un-
needed, but to have an actually injurious
tendency when addressed to the young
and those Of uniformed characters.
Think a moment. Who are those that
spend time in darning and what is the
motive that induces them to tie them
selves down to an employment in itself
so dull and monOtonous? Is it not those
who cherish laudable desire for them
selves and their children, that they should
never wear torn or untidy garments, and
with self-sacriticing patience toll to effect
their object? Does the number Of indus
trious home-staying women so trouble
the earth that they should be held up to
ridicule? Surely to persevere In any pur-
suit having for its simple aim decency
and the good of others is in itself emo
blin". Oh! the comfort that nestleS with
in the housewives Saturday evening bas-
ket, heaped high with neatly darned
stockings! Let not its familiar presence
be banished from the Workstan that
hOmely but beloved center of many
cheerful freside. Wit and wisdom will
flow none the less freely because mother
and daughter ply the busy needle while
they cheerily converse. Must it not lend
sweetness to the tenor of thought that
the fingers move in the service of mem
bers of the family, more helpless but none
the less dear, or mayhap noble, "for a
that?" And we speak only OF what we do
Il md hoy
We would especially urge the reinstala-
ton Of this feminine avOcatiOn in place
of honor, because we really believe that
in its discarding our daughters will cast
aside an apparently insignificant, but
really powerful, means of giving to their
characters that thoroughly rounded and
perfect wOmanliness which all admire,
but which is daily becoming more rare.
that it is beneath her to darn stockings, a
false economy, forsooth, too pitiful to prac-
tice. She will nevertheless hesitate to
commit the extravaganza of throwing
away a pair Of expensive Balbriggan hose
because they have in them small hole
Once consent to slip thai dainty little foot
into such chGSsure, next time it will re-
quire less effort, and ere she admits the
fact to herself, stylish Arabella almost
daily has holes in her stockings. High
arched though her instep be, and graceful
the curve of her weIl-turned ankle, can
they atone for the defect? Shall we admit
that we have seen this, too, exemplified in
young ladyhood of the present day? Be-
ware Think you not there is some subtle
connection between not only sOundness of
mind and body, but also raiment? Is
there not a certain integrity of soul that
must find outward expression by clothing
itself in vestments that are likewise
without flaw or blemish?
But to acquire even so humble al art as
darning, woman must apply herself to
the task with diligence, and from child.
hood, if excellence is to be attained Our
little girls, though, are so very quick
nowadays to imbibe the sentiments and
tone of thinking prevalent among grown
people, that if their older sisters slight
and neglect the duty of darning, it will
be vain to impress it upon them that it is
any the more worthy Of their attention.
Yet there was pleasure in little Incl
dent occurring recently, to confirm the
idea that our age had not reached the
point of progression where the old hand
maid darning might be dismissed as a
useless, WORKOUT jade. Pausing in the
vestibuIe of place Of evening entertain
ment, young lady Of bon ton and highest
culture laughingly held up her hand,
gloved in delicate kid, and challenged Us
to find the darn which she had resorted
to in order to conceal a cut made by
diamond ring. We admired, and on
the other hand, her aunt held up her
sleeve of point lace, showed a rent just
accidentally made, and invited the further
display of her skill. The stitch used in
constructing some of the finest laces, you
know, is but a modification Of darning.
From gentlemen, too, we have heard so
many and such touching complaints of
woes consequent upon having no one to
mend for them that we are inclined to be-
lieve rather that the skill of the darner
will be more and more in requisition than