Smyrna times., 1881-10-12
Marion Harland.
A GLIMPSE AT THE HOME LIFE OF A ''BLUE
STOCKING"


Gail Hamilton satirizes the tendency of
American women to sit down on the curb
stone and write out the biography of a
living friend. 1t is questionable thing
10 do, to speak in print of the home life OF
noted persons to whose friendship and
hospitality one is indebted Sor such 1nowl-
edge. n. p. Willis and Harriet Mar
tineau made themselves disliked and
feared by abusing such social privileges.
With all this clearly impressed on my
mind, ! am going to tell the readers OF
the Commercial little about tho home
life Of Mrs. Terhune, whom they all know
and admire as "Marion Harland." First,
because / want that her life should be to
others what it has been to me, a constant
inspiration toward a nObler, a better
rounded and more harmonious life, and
secondly, because l know that too many
people, wise enough on other matters,
fully believe that lady who is an author
by profession must be unsatisfactory as
the head of household.
Mrs. Terhune, who was Virginian. is
now living in Springfield, Mass, her hus-
band having recently accepted call to
the first Congregational Church of that
city. He is a noble man, strong. learned.
eloquent, philanthropic, and stands on his
own merits, not spoken of as the husband
OF that popular novelist, etc. Enter his
crowded church and you feel his power
visit his Sunday-school of oyer 500 men,
bers and see what grand work he is
doing. He Is also u physician OF wide
reading and experience, and gives bis
services TO the poor of his congregation.
Of course he is overworked, as are ali
people in this world who are so qualified
to help and guide Others
Mrs. Terhune has class of FORTY Young
men in her husbands Sunday-school, who
are enthusiastic in their Scripture study.
and glad to be guided By her wise counsel.
She seems to me to be the model minis
ter's wife, ready to lead in good works,
sharing in the religious and social labors
of her husband, with open heart and open
home for all who need her aid. She plan
ned the architecture of their new home,
and the kitchen is to me the most inter-
esting part. So wisely arranged; 50 fitted
up with every possible convenience. She
Is queen there quite as much as in her
drawing room. But her hand, strong, yet
| iG yhor IL,
quisitely decorated panels, in the furni-
ture, devised and executed by herself.
Light wood set into the dark such dainty
themes as cluster of water lilies and a
fascinating little cherub or winged Puck
standing in the centre of one flower part
ing its beauties with his rosy-tipped fing-
ers. The pictures of fish and fowl in the
dining room are done by herself, and in
the cosy library you find copies of color
from POmpeii, while placques, adorned
with wild flowers or bits sketched from
nature, are seen on every wall. All this
without the least trace of vanity or super
iority, and she is one Of the best takers ]
have ever met. 1t is one of her pet theo-
ries that the more a woman knows the
better hOusekeeper, wife, mother, friend
she can be; and she is a shining instance
of such possibilities. I would mention
many other Aliternry women" who do
not allow their genius and their love for
writing to make them impractical or un-
fitted for necessary duties. That is almost
an exploded theory. The conventional
type of "old maid, )" long, lank, with sharp
sallow face, corkscrew curls, restless eyes
that peer everywhere they shoriI not
tongue that never rests and an aching
envious, empty heart--that Undesirable
type is fast becoming extinct. Also, the
disheveled and distrait "blue stocking" is
no more.
: Mrs. Terhune believes that every girl
should have not only good education
but special training in some one depart.
ment by which she could support herself
if necessary, and carries out this sensible
idea with her own daughters. But she
never forgets the paramount importance
of health as the basis of all usefulness OF
enjoyment in life. 8
She recently celebrated their Silver
Wedding" am sure that her friends al
over this land will join in hearty eongrat
;, ulations and hope that the next twenty
: five years may be as full of good and help
full work for others and success and enjoy
ment for herself and family as the past
0 and that she may then fifty celebrate the
Golden Wedding, ,"-Cncinnat CONNER
cidL.