The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-02-07
WHOLE No. 1 ,939

cessity ever compelled her. gain her own
livelihood. 1t is astonishing that 50
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 pre-
paration for their future maintenance.
Too many girls grow up fostering the
feeling of always having father, broth
er, or husband to provide for them. Be
cause one is a girl, is no reason at all for
her living in such An expectations; respect
for herself, as we'll as a sense of justice
to this same father brother or husband,
should compel her to at least qualify her
self to earn her bread: and if it should
happen that father or husband is disabled
by misfortune, so that he is prevented
from helping her or himself, she is able
to come to his relief
Every one who has their senses is ell
dowed with at least one talent: so, my
young friend you, too, have yours: and
whether you have much of this worlds
goods. or none at all, it is your bounden
duty to find out what your especial talent
is and then do your utmost to cultivate
it, and bring it to its highest perfection:
and then, besides becoming an accom-
plishment, it may be your useful friend,
and of great pecunary value to you.-
Perhaps you think that is very sor'lid
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 perhaps die for want
of attention. 1t is our duty to apprc
ciate our abilities, and put them to use.
even if we should have great wealth at
our command. The use of these endnw-
ments will be an exquisite pleasure, and
should Dame Fortune be unkind enough
to surprise us with the loss of our money.
we could, and it is right that we should,
combine pleasure with work by using eur
talents as means for our sustenancc.
No matter in what you are now engaged,
ponder we'll over your future. You may
have some one to care for you now, and
you may be fortunate i'll your friends:
but YOU cannot possibly know what is i'll
store for you.
Therefore. examine yourself carefully
and cautiously to discover wherein lies
your talent, for you certainly have one.
When you have found it, regard 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 thorough
iy. Whether you are attending school.
or engaged at home with household du-
ties. or employed elsewhere, you have
many spare moments that could thus nc
turned to excellent account. \ little
while each day spent i'll this way will
accomplish much, and you will not miss
the time: it will neither Interfere with
home, school, nor social duties. Your
genius may lie i'll literature or IN music
or painting. i'll some one of the industries,
or even in sewing or house work; what
ever it Is, perfect yourself IN 1t, and IL
not obliged to sustain yourself by its use.
it will at least be an agreeable sat!slac-
ton to you to know you are qualified to
use it for the benefit of others. Besides
being an accomplishment, 1t will save
you from the ennui of many an idle mo-
ment. and must be a source of pleasure
to your friends as well as to yourself.
And should the "wheel OF fortune turn,
bringing you adverse circumstances, YOU
will not be found helpless; this one hobby
that you have ridden, or attainment 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. III
is quite common occurrence to hear OF
or see family who have always lived III
wealth and luxury suddenly lose all their
earthly possessions. and become as poor
as they had previously been wealthy.
Frequently their condition is indeed mel
ancholy the parents being past middle
age, and without the necessary strength
and energy to rebuild their fortune: they
are broken down in health, and filled with
despair, and end their days in VAN re-
rrets for the past and a hopeless waiting
Tor the future. The daughters. instead
of being able to comfort and assist their
prematurely aged parents, are misery
and drag to them. These GIL * are actu-
-.
brought up in luxury and always looking
to their father for every thing, after gain
ing superficial schooling. they enter
society, and waste their time IN VAN
pleasures. giving no thought to the il-
ture, further than securing, through a
husband. an establishment OF Their own.
Now they have lost their fortune. they
find they also lose their friends, Tor nav
| ing led nothing but vain, hollow, and
shallow life. they have attracted none
| but those who are as shallow as them
| selves, and who in their trouble d"s""'t
them. These girls are new filled with
amazement and chagrin at their forlorn
situation. When fortune was at hand to
| assist them, they squandered their time
and neglected their talents, and made no
preparation for the time when tl.es6i2iit
| be thrown upon their Own resources: they
| failed to improve the chance of getting
| thorough education. and all their accom-
! plishments are on the surface, and only
| lifted to adurn the most shallow exist
| ence. They now find themselves entire
! lyunfitted to earn their bread with either
head or hands.
We can only pity them; but what right
had they to neglect such golden oppor-
tunities and livein such blamahle thought
| leSSneSS?
Trusting that your good sense. and i
proper use of your valuable time. VIII
prevent YOU from ever having like cN-
perience. | am your friend,
ANNE BRowH.
|
WHIHS: WISE HND WITTY.