The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-12-02

! She knows nothing abont the theory,
but her practice is exquisite; so of
course she cannot give lessons.
She sews very well, ] believe-at least
we are all kept neat and whole-and she
has good taste; but she says her
stitches will not bear examination, and
If she tried to sew better, she should
work 50 slowly that she cou ID not earn
her salt. Her housekeeping is very
pleasant, know; but we have hun
dred little idiosyncrasies which would
make taking boarders impossible, even
if it were not intolerable, so we have
never seriously considered that ques-
tion.
1t will probably be thought cold
blooded in me to speak in this way of
my wife's earning anything, especially
when, now we had dismissed our girl,
she had everything to do for the chill
dren and for me; and, in fact, [ did not
mean she should do anything, but she
was always pondering the matter, and
in some dark momen s I gave in a little
myself. thought 1 would commit
suicide, and let her support the chill
dren!
| 1t is obvious that now neither of us
| felt as sure of our elevated character or
| OF our talents as before the legacy was
lost, and we had at last arrived at the
above mentioned state of blank despair.
g 1t is really too bad" said Florence,
at last; cit would take so little to make
US happy, and yet we can't have it,"
"There is nothing under heaven to be
done, said |, gloomily, " but for me to
| go as day -laborer in a factory; and as
[ am unskillful, and very old for be-
einner, | cannot earn enough to support
| tho 70 i1x, 7 th;xl, III
| had better go into the same factory:
that is, if we can find work, w hich
think doubtful in these times. And we
will apprentice the children to the trade,
so they will be better able to take care
Of themselves than we were when they
| yrow up"
| Florence made no reply to this re-
mark, but shortly after began short
catechism.
Evan, are you aristocraticp"
"No, not exactly" said 1; - like the
things aristocratic people have, you
Snow, but it is not for fear OF losing
caste that object to the factory"
81 thought not" said Florence, COM
placently; but of course you object to
The grind and so do l. Now the ques-
tion is, what are the necessities OF life
to youP"
"Oh, yes" said 1. First, you and
the children; second, house that does
not leak to cover u.s. third, corn cake
and salt fish; fourth, a good fire in thr
winter; fifth, a warm woolen suit foe
Zach OF us; sixth, some light active out.
loor employment. which will not re-
| duce my spirits to such a point that
can't enjoy your society when l have
| ,eisure to sit down in the evening""
| And you would like to keep
horseP" said Flor nee, confidently.
| why, yes" | said, rather surprised !;
but since we have never kept one since
we were married, it seems to me we
might dispense with it now."
Unless it came lin the way OF bust
ness" said Florence, calmly. "Now
| that | know what your real views OF
which | had hestated to propose be-
fore, thinking you might demand more "
She unfolded newspaper, and POINTED
70 all advertisement.
NOR SALE The horse, cart and complete
IL stock OF a tin peldler. Excellent route.
Business pays well. Sells only becau e iami y
matters require removal to the West Terms
easy. Address A. WCKs,
Plainville
1 felt a spark of hope. 81 suppose
[ really think l should not hate this rs
much as anything else l see any pros.
pect of trying. However it will proba
bly, amount to nothing"
1t then appeared that it was several
days since Florence had seen the notice,
and she had taken pains to inquire into
the matter before speaking to me. She
Kew some one in Plainville who had
learned all the particulars. 1t really
was true. The business was good, that
is, of its kind. "Of course" our in
tormant said, cit did not pay anything
like the law;" and we hoped he was
right. The peddler really was goin :
West, for he had money enough to live
on, and his wite's health demanded
change of climate. He would sell cheap,
and let us pay in installments, and we
could rent his cottage for very small
sum.
1t did seem providential. Riding
about the country, even in peddler's
cart, had far more attractions for me
than toiling in factory. Besides, had
a secret assurance that had no capacity
for toll" and / knew l could drive
any horse in-Pl iinville at least Then
the selling. my goo looks U believe
forgot to men ion that before), my gen.
tlemanly manners, my good-nature, my
persuasive address, on which / had
been complimented again and again
would ali be of the utmost service &c
me in this business; and here l had
been almost tearing my hair in my
anguish at thinking that none of my
powers were of the least avail in the
bread and-butter question.
And so we purchased the business by
selling some OF our furniture, and went
to Plainville to live. Iseriously believe
that there is niche for every one
Looking back on my time of despair, and
comparing it with my present, | am
grateful that | can say that while then
thought / was so constituted that
could be neither useful nor happy in
lite, now fiad that have been endowed
with abundant capacities for both use
fulness and happiness, and that nc
talent l possess has failed of bearing
some fruit. And Florence says the same
thing ABOUT herself.
Let me elaborate:
The cottage we lived in was MOI
strictly beautiful. but it was comfort
able. and in pleasant place, with ar
orchard before it. and we trailed creep
ers on trellises about it, and planted
roses and Towering shrubs along tn,
stone walls, 1t was fresh, sweet plac,
to live in, and the children had lovely
playground. AT first Florence had NJ
servant, and worked very hard, but sh,
was young and well and strong, and sh,
declared that she did not get so tired a
she had often done II our old home witt
the Thousand and one society dutie
| from which she was EXEMPT now