Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-03-20
Troubles Not to be Borne.

There are many troubles in life which
must be endured, by the sustaining help of
patient fortitude. They come sooner or later,
in one or another shape, to all. Among them
are such things as loss of fortune, untoward
circumstances, blighted hopes, defeated
plans, bereavement, the narrowing interests
and the loneliness of the later years. These
mingle with and are interviewer with the
brighter, more joyous experiences of human.
ity, and together the darkness and the light
are blended in the personal history of every
member of the race But there is set of
annoying and vexatious things, which most
people make merit of bearing serenely, yet
which should simply be set aside and lifted
out of the way, There is no credit due to
anybody for exercising patience where firm
ness and strength of will would have made
it unnecessary. A stiff resolution firmly ad-
hered to, an obstinate sense of Justice to
ones own personality, are sometimes quite
as admirable as Il weak amiability which too
tamey submits to have its rights invaded.
Illustrations of this mistake meet us con-
stantly. a lady sometimes endures for
years the insolence and ill-temper of her
cook, in the fear that the cooks successor
may not be able to make excellent bread, or
roast meat properly. The daily aggrava-
upon her, but she has not the decision of
character which would rid herself and her
family of them, once for all. The humiia-
tion which inheres in being mistress nom
iually, while trembling lest word of re-
proof, or few moments delay about din
ner shall set the maid into fury or cover
her with wet blanket of sullenness, is for
gotten, or not considered in the same hour
with a possible Inconvenience. Often, after
the servant has at last gone, have heard
her employer speak almost boastingly of the
relief and freedom which have come TO her.
Let il be remembered, however, that in al
most every such case practical knowledge
of housekeeping and domestic work on the
ladys part, united with self-control, and
gently asserted authority in the beginning,
would have made such a trouble impossible.
As rule, the good mistress makes good
servant, though in the conditions of our
social life there will always be exceptions.
Trouble of another sort comes in this
way. A home is best fitted for its highest
development when it consists of one fam
| lily. But home must be elastic, and very
often great delight is added to house
hold by the presence OF some friend or rel
ative, who brings to it helpfuness and bright
ness. Then there are aged people among
our kindred, or invalds to whom it is a
privilege to minister, and who are entitled
to place in our homes. But there are cases
where the family happiness for years is
marred by the presence of some grabbed,
angular and selfish man or woman who has
means at his command and who might quite
as well dwell somewhere else. have seen
the sweet confidence of home made nearly
impossible, the daily delight of children
shadowed, the mothers cares increased, and
her temper fretted, and the general pleasant
ness of things obscured by the fact that an
uncongenial element was mixed up with
everything, and one cross, unsympathizing
and complaining soul, like an evil leaven.
peryading all that went on. There are minor
troubles, inconveniencies and distresses to
which people submit without murmur, and
for which they deserve reprobation. A thin
place appears in the carpet. 1t is let alone
and it becomes hole, which trips up heed
less feet, and causes bruises and tears. A
pane of glass is cracked tack gives way
in the stair-carpet; the goblets diminish
gradually, till there are not enough TO GO
around; the spout of the teapot is broken
Obviously, the best way is to replace, repair
or remedy these things at once. Accidents
trivial in themselves, should not be suffered
to annoy whole family. Often, however
these little things are neglected, and the re
suits are disorder because of the lacking
glasses a flooded table-cloth or scaldec
hand through the uncertain teapot per
haps broken limb and weeks of suffering
through the trap of the loosened tack. How
many rheumatic attacks, congestions, colds
and headaches follow in the train of draught
which might be cured, windows which d'
not fit, and doors which are always creaking
! In the wise domestic economy there will b.
no liberation of this sort of trouble.-Chris
tidn InteLigencer.