The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-09-09

Il am sure that they only nave Whal
time there is, !" said the oiher, taking M
theme; "and they have knack Of
getting more comfort out of it than
most folks, / can tell you. have
known women to buy yards of calico
and tear it to pieces to make quilts; aud
II that is not sn abominable waste OF
time, do not know what is. God has
given US so much time, and be who
spends it the most wisely is the best of,
wot."
\ So Martha made some converts; and a
few seeds dropped by the wayside some
times grow delicious fruitsge, which
may be scattered world wide.
The Summer was waning when one
/ day Martla'- aunt said to her hust and,
with tone and dIoop Of mouth most sor-
[ rowful, "I.et us go and see poor Mar
thai" and they set out, fully prepared to
condo'e ith her, Uncle Harry, on gen.
erous thought intent, having filled his
purse. But when they reached the gate,
there stood Martha as joyous as any girl,
not the faintest suggestion Of Loneliness
about her; and Gerald was handsomer
than ever, for happiness sat well upon
him. They bad just bade good-day to
a famous Judge, who, with his intelli-
gent wife, had been spending several
days with them; so Martha had not been
languishing in ob-curity, as her uncle
and aunt had imagined; but friends had
sought them out, and coming once had
come again. Uncle Harry and wife
passed a most charming day. Martha's
aunt declared the house perfect gem.
"Indeed, did not think to find you
so well situated" she said, evincing
some surprise.
"BuL thereby hangs tale" thinking
Of the rejuvenated furniture), said Ger
aid, laughing heartily.
At parting, Martha said:
"Do come out and stay with US awhile
aud get recruited; you look so worn out
aud weary, auntie."
"Come often aud bring the children"
added Gerald.
They gave glad assent. for their hard
pride was all swept away; and those
who came to pity went away almost
plying themselves.
Gerald and Martha sought out the
best ard easiest methods for doing their
work and systemstized it. They never
used up their vitality by long continued,
exhaustive labor; and whereas many Of
their neighbors arose in the morning
with too little strength or animation to
do good days work, they retained the
vigOr, zest and ready accomplishment Of
youth. Martha, although she provided
nourishing food for the family, yet did
not waste her precious time in making
pastry or rich dishes TO tempt the appe-
tite beyond its needs, and thereby she
saved to herself many priceless hours.
Although with ideas far beyond their
neighbors, yet they did not obtrude
them. Still, II called upon, they were
not afraid to express their opinions
against the popular one, which was that
all time not spent in work was squan-
dered, aud that money and good cheer
were the chief end Of man.
"Life thus spent" said Martha, ''is
little higher than that of the brute, and
will pass in weary repinings; whereas,
If spent as God intends that it should be,
from the midst of labor a prayer Of
thanksgiving will flow from our hearts
INCREASINGLY"
Martha was always glad to give ad-
vice to the inexperienced housewife, to
lift load from the weary sister; for
many said to her, 81 DO not see how you
manage" Yet this wise and skillful
matron did not become egolistical in
her superior knowledge, but said that
she was blessed by nature with strength
and health, aud that by temperate hab-
its and prudence she had preserved the
same. "And that" she said, sis the
charm that brings happiness"
When time filled the house with rosy
boys and girls, she and Gerald were not
all nerves aud irritsbility, but even
amongst their grandchildren were hale
aud hearty, and able to enjoy with fresh
hearts their youthful pleasures; and
Martha in her beautiful old age was be-
loved as in her youth W'oman's Jour
nat.