The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1880-01-31
SHORT LETTER TO THE COMING GIRL

From The LaHedsier (Pa.) Nsr Eru.
My YouNG FRIEND What do YOU
intend doing with your time in the
future? Are you doing anything more
than letting your moments slip idly by?
Have YOU yct thought of the days that
are to come, and what they promise to
be? II you have not yet given the sub
ject your thoughtful attention, do YOU
no, think it is time YOU did?
One of your young friends, perhaps,
would say: "Why, OF course expect
to &C, married" All right, suppose she
does but the expectation of getting
married is no excuse for girl TO idle
away her time beforehand, and depend
upon the future to bring her husband
TO provide for her support.
You naturally have 4 contempt for
young man who makes no effort TO pro-
vide for himself YOU have no respcc,
for him who idly spends his time and
money in the pursuit of pleasures you
expect him to work-cither studying a
profession, learning a trade. or doing
something TO earn his own living. wheth-
er he he rich or poor. 1t is just As right,
and every bit rs much the duty. of every
girl, no matter what her circumstances
or station in society may he, To At least
fit herself in some one thing. so that she
could, il necessity ever compelled her,
gain her own livlihood. 1t is astonish-
ing that so many parents, with all the
affection and care which they seem to
have for their daughters, do not think
of this; one would suppose one of the
first things to which they would attend,
would be to oblige their. daughters to
make some preparation for their future
maintenance. Too many girls grow up
fostering the feeling OF always having 4
father, brother, or husband to provide
for them. Because one is girl, is no
reason at all for her living in such an
expectation ; respect for herself, rs well
Is 4 sense of justice TO this same father,
brother or husband, should compel her
to at least qualify herself to earn her
bread and il It should happen that
father or husband is disabled by misfor-
tune, so that he is prevented from help
ing her or himself, she is able to come
TO his relief
Every one who has their senses is en-
dowcd with at lcas; one talent so my
Young friend YOU, too, have YOURS and
whether YOU have much OF this world ;
goods, or none al all, lois your bounden
duty TO find out what your especial tai
eni is. and then do your utmost to cul-
iivate it. and bring i, to its highes, per-
fcction and then. besides becoming IN
accomplishment, it may be your most
useful friend, and of great pccuniary
value to you. Perhaps you think that
is a very sordid manner in which to view
an intellectual faculty But it is not
Why are these gifts bestowed upon us ?
Certainly not TO lie idly by, and per-
haps die for want OF attention. Ii is
our duty to appreciate our abilities, and
great wealth n our command. The use
OF these endowmen,s will be an exquisite
pleasure, and should Dame Fortune be
unkind enough to surprise us with the
loss of our money. We could, and il is
right tha, we should, combine pleasure
with work by using our talents as a
meaIs for our sustenance. No matter
in what YOU are now engaged, ponder
well over your future. You may have
some one to care for you now, and you
may be fortunate in your friends; but
you cannot possibly know what is in
store for you. Therefore, examine your
self most carefully and cautiously to dis
cover wherein lies your talent, for you
certainly have one. When YOU have
found itregard it as something precious
use it /; devote what would otherwise be
your idle time to its improvement ;
make it your hobby go through with
it patiently and thoroughly. Whether
you are attending school, or engaged a,
home with household duties, or employ
cd elsewhere, you have many spare mo-
ments that could thus be turned TO ex-
cellent account. A little while each
day spent in this way will accomplish
much, and you will not miss the time
it will neither interfere with hhome, school
nor social duties. Your genius may lie
in literature or in music or painting, in
some one OF the industries, or even in
sewing or housework whatever il is,
perfect yourself in it, and il not obliged
to sustain yourself by its use, il will 4,
least be an agreeable satisfaction to you
to know YOU are qualified to use it for
the benefit Of others. Besides being an
accomplishment, il will save you from
the ennui Of many an idle moment, and
must be a source of pleasure to your
friends as well as to yourself. And
should the 'whcel Of fortune" turn,
bringing YOU adverse circumstances, you
will not be found helpless; this one
hobby that you have ridden, or attain
ment that you have acquired, may be
turned to the most useful and profitable
account. In this country Of ''ups and
downs" one cannot be too cautious for
the future. II is quite common occur.
renee to hear Of or see family who have