South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-07-23


Ellie Sat down, and Mr.. Thornton
drew chair in front of his wife and
daughter.
Take yesterday, for instance said
the father, 'how was it spent? You
rose at seven, think
Yes, sir; l came down Just as the
breakfast bell was rung,' replied Ellie.
And your mother was up at half
past five, I know, and complained of
feeling so weak that she could hardly
dress heyself. But, for all this, she
was at fork until breakfast time
Now, IL you had risen at six and shar-
ed your mothers work until seven.
you would have taken an hour from
her days burdens, aad certainly lost
nothing from your music, seis-im-
provement or social intercourse
How was it after breakfast =? How
was the morning spentY
81 practiced an hour on the piano
after breakfast.
$50 far so good. What then p
Il read the Cavalier till eleven
Mr.. Thornton shook his head and
asked
After eleven, how was the time
spent p
Il dressed myself and went out q
little after twelve o'clock
AN hour was spent in dressingP'
yes, sir
Where did you go?'
Il called on Helen Boyd, and VIC
took walk down Broadway
'And came home just in time for
dinner? | think met you at the
door p
Yes, SIR
How was it after dinner p
q slept from three until after five,
and then took bath and dressed my
self. From six until after tea-time /
sat at the parlor window
and after tea p
'Rcad the Cavalier till ! went to
bed
AT what hour p
Eleven O'clock
Now, we can make up the account
said Mr.. Thornton. you rose at
seven and retired mt elcven-sixteen
hours. And from your own account
of the day, but q single hour was spent
i'll anything useful that was the hour
al the piano. Now, your mother was
up at half-past five, and went to bed !,
from her sheer inability to sit ut hoI
work any longer, at half-past nine.
Sixteen hours for her also. How
much reading did YOU do in that time p
And Mr. Tho!1ton looked ct Lis
wife.
Don't talk 10 me OF reading I've
no time 20 read Mrs. Thornton an
swered, :. little inpatlently. The
contrast Of her daughters idle hours
with her own life OF exhaustive toll
did not affect her mind very pleas
antly.
And yet said Mr.. Thornton, you
were always fond of reading, and l
can remember when no day went by
without an hour or two passed with
your books. Did you lie down after
dinner p
OF coarse not
and didn't you take 6 pleasant
walk down Broadway Nor sit at
the parlor window with Ehie2 How
about that 2
There was no reply.
Now, the case is q very plain one
continued Mr. Thornton. On fact
nothing could be palmer. You spent
from fourteen to sixteen hours in lard
work, while Efiic, taking yesterday as
sample, spends about tho same time
IN what is little better than idleuess.
Suppose new adjustment were TO
take place, aud Ehic were to be use
fully employed helping you eight
hours ofcach day, she would still have
eight hours left for sclf-improvement
and recreation; and you, relieved
from your present oveytaskod condi-
ton, might get back q portion Of your
health ard spirits, Of which these too
heavy household duties have robbed
YOU
Father said Enic, speaking thro'
her tears thst were falling over her
face, Il never saw things in this light.
Why haven't YOU talked to me before [?
I've often felt IS if I'd like 90 help
her; she SAYS that 'ycu can't doit; I'll
rather do it myself Indeed it isn't
my fault
1T may not have been in the past,
EGie,' replied Mr. Thornton, 'but it
certainly will be III the future, unless
there is q new arrangement Of things.
IL is n false social sentiment that lets
daughter become idlers, while moth
ors, fathers and sons take mp tho dai-
~ burden OF work, and bearit through
all the business.
Mrs. Thornton did not come grace
fully into The new order Of things pro-
posed by her husband anl accepted
by Eftie False prdcin her daughter,
that fufr~o t4d.- r,faaI o.,t o,, ,,..tts..