Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-10-20
Middle Aged Women.

Every age has its peculiar and appropri-
ate interests. The little girl dances along
with her doll, the schoolgirl is occupied
with her lessons, and the young lady lives
in beautiful world of her own. Hers is
the picturesque time of life. At home she
is ornamental as well as useful, and the
eyes of father and mother rest upon her
complacently as she passes through the
house like sunbeam. After awhile she is
sought and won, and then there opens to her
another kingdom. There is the tranquil
period of early married life. After awhile
come the little ones, and the mothers heart
and hands are full. As friend wrote to us
yesterday, " Although all the pathways of
earth have been so long traversed they are
as new to each one that enters as if none
had passed that way before. There is but
one who knows what Joys, what hopes, what
fears will be found therein" The years
during which a mother is occupied in train
ing and caring for her family are very busy
years indeed, filled with earnest work, and
especially with responsibility. But one by
one they pass by, and there comes sunny
autumn morning when the lady, peeping
into her mirror, sees the silver hairs among
the brown, notices the paler color where the
rose-bloom used to be, and realizes that she,
young as she yet feels, is midde-aged
woman. And surely that was Harry Archer
who stepped past the window Just now, so
blithe and debonair, and it was 10 Elsie that
he tipped his hat so gallantly, and it is
| Elsie, little Elsie wee while ago, whose
blossom-tinted face is blushing with such
sweet confusion as she bends over her dainty
work. What does middle-aged woman
possess to compensate her for the youth that
she has lost, for the burden and heat which
she has borne and must still bear, and for
the effort and energy she has so far put into
life, her capital in the home-partnership,
and her investment against the comparative
inaction of old age Well, she has gained,
for one thing, very rich experience. She
can read character as she once could not
She has grown more tolerant Of those who
differ from her, more patient with the er-
ring, and more sorrowful for the unsuccess
full She has learned to restrain the toe
hasty word, and to check the too critical
thought She will not allow prejudice tc
influence her, nor will she throw away
precious privileges as though they were
worthless. For another thing, she ha'
learned to live in the lives of Others He
boy in business or at college makes her his
confidential friend. He tells her of hi
troubles and his joys. He asks and accept
her advice. Her daughters share thei
pleasures with her, as though she were thei
elder sister as well as their mother. Young
people sun themselves in the light of he
, smile, and feel assured that they are Oh
, the right road if she grants them her ap
proval. 1t is she who necessarily takes tn
! lead in charitable and missionary work
, She goes to the various hospitals an,
= homes. She cuts out garments, and listen
| 20 aad afor;ao and providae for orph a N o.
! children, and helps the helpless and the di:
: couraged She cheers the pastors heart b
giving him efficient aid, and she packs tn
, barrels and boxes which carry the church
! benefactions to outposts on the frontier an
5 islands of the sea. If she be middle-age
5 and unmarried, and therefore somewhat a
= leisure, she is tower of strength to gres
S many people, who would find their ente
e prises standing still and their hands tied bu
9 for her ability and self-reliance. just as i
: nature each season has its own delightfl
! charm, SO in life no one period monopolize
g all the beauty. Spring has the sweetne:
= of promise, summer the richness of vitalit
aud overhowing abundance, autumn has th
glow and the glory of fulfillment Th
woman who has had her spring and summt
should come to her autumn thankful,
! gladly, and perhaps exultantly She hf
!. had her share of trouble and tears. ST
r misses many who once walked with her O
i life's way. But the tears and the troub
, have made her eyes clearer and her hea
. gentler, and she knows better than 81
!, y could without them have known how
4 sympathize with souls in need. Home
n drawing nearer, and she has not lost tho!
q who have entered within its gate of peal
" They have only gone before.-Selected.