The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-03-21

Ohy AoSO PiAlu SOWluS III 0oAOe
!, you have rather evaded my ques
ton. Supposing you get but eigh
hours reprieve from plain sewing in
week; you can certainly devote it t.
that purpose, if you please he addet
with good humored smile.
You make great story out of {
little matter, brother Arthur returned
the lady, coloring. Eight hours 8
week are hardly worth taking advan.
tage of
Let US look about and see if we
cannot increase the number. Here
are six chair seats. all embroidered
by yourself and yonder are two small
and three large pictures, which orig
mated from the same source. How
long did it take you to accomplish
this p
Il really cannot tell 1 do not know.
'But you can form some estimate
persisted Mr.. Warren, who seemed
determined to gain rs point.
well, perhaps the leisure time of q
year, said Mrs. Merritt. ter short
pause.
'And that, allow ing eight hours q
week, would make four hundred and
sixteen hours in year. That sounds
much larger than our frat calculation.
does it not, Julia? Just think how
many books you could read in that
period. You would not always be
obliged to put in the plea of sewing
which must be done, when I invite
you to accompany me on some of my
charitable visits, where a woman's
judgment and penetration are so much
superior to those of man. You
could also devote more time for music,
and, in addition, not feel obliged to
give up an Interesting an agreeable
correspondence with distant friends,
for want of time to write. Am not
a good calculator, my dear sister?'
Mrs. Merritt did not reply; she did
not feel like owning that her brother
had the best side of the argument,
though her better PERCEPTION told that
he had.
II like to look at embroidery he
beautiful colors are al
ways agreeable to the eye, and the en-
ployment denotes industry, ingenuity
and perseverance; but that is no sign
that it should be carried to excess.
Pictures in worsted look livery well
but your own good sense will tell you
that it requires no talent to work them.
Any lady who understands the stitch
which is used, and can make good
selection of colors-which is easily
do what demands no su
perior genius or uncommon ability to
perform. Am I right or wrong in
this2 Pray encourage mo a little,' he
added laughingly.
We'll, don't suppose it requires
any extraordinary talent to work pic
tures.' replied the lady, after some hes
itation.
'Thank you for the admission now
for something else. Here are four
curtain tassels tied up very nicely in
little bags. dare say you consider
the latter ornaments, do you not?'
There are different opinions on that
point; but, admitting they are not or
namental, they are certainly useful,
for they prevent the tassels from being
faded,' added Mrs.. Merritt, with an
air of consciousness of being right that
time.
sBut was it necessary to rufile them
in so tasteful a manner?' was the next
grave inquiry.
Il have no patience with you, Ar:
thur! exclaimed the lady, laughing, in
spite of herself. L never knew that
gentlemen noticed such trivial things.'
Then you have something still to
learn. When lady asserts that she
has no time to spare for reading or
charitable visits, or correspondence
which she is well able to carry on,
invariably endeavor to find out what
employs all her hours. If see her
working worsted pictures, embroider-
ing numberless articles with patience
worthy of q better cause, trimming
children's clothes, which look a great
deal better-in my old bachelor esti-
mation-perfectly plain, ruffling bags
to put curtain tassels in, manufactur-
ing tall vases out Of tiny shells, braid
ing rag carpets-which are not needed
and which cannot certainly lay claim
to beauty-I think that she has mis-
taken her vocation; that she does not
act out her principles: in fact that she
is inconsistent. What think you, sis
ter mine?'
Il have not thought about it at all.
'Just as l supposed; but if you will
reflect upon the subject, you will see
the business of my conclusions. Where
there is will there is way; and if
you really like reading 1 think you
can find time to indulge in that highly
employment
Mrs. Merritt made no rejoinder, but
looked thoughtful, as her brother
ceased speaking. She mused long
upon his suggestions, and the sequel
proved that they were not wholly lost
upon her. She did not entirely resign
fancy work /; but before she gave her.
self up to its destinations, she made
sure that nothing more important de-
manded her attention.
AN exchange tells of a patent right