The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1881-04-09

you could earn living for yourself, ami,
it need be, help others, it would be the
wisest and best thing you could do"
The daughter at once understood and
fully appreciated the sensible views Of
her father. and fixed on dressmaking as
that to which she would give her atteu-
ton; and an arrangement was made with
leadin. dressmaker Of the city that
from her she should thoroughly learn the
business. just as any Young apprentice
might do. She did so; and while many
in the leading society in which she moved
wondered that the daughter of Judge 4.
should ever think of such thing as
learning to be dreSSmaker. she quietly
went on with her work till she under
stO II thoroughly all its details. and found
a pleasure in making her own dresses, as
well AS in aiding her mother in many
ways for which she was before unquali-
fled.
And nov mark the result. Within
year or two after the time alluded to she
became engaged to marry gentleman
well known to the world as one of the
most scholarly and devoted missionaries
that ever went forth from this country.
Aud. as the accomplished and educated
wife of such man, she was not only
greatly useful as an instructor in the fe.
male seminary connected with the mis-
sion, but in teaching the girls as to their
own dresses and giving most valuable
suggestions and help to the mothers and
families of the vicinity. She led them
on to views of domestic economy and
comfort and civilization to which they
might long have been strangers but for
her personal and practical knowledge of
dressmaking. And she often remarked
that she never could be thankful enough
that her father had been so thoughtful
and wise as to suggest the course she
had taken.
A somewhat similar case is that of an
only son of wealthy parents who gradu-
ated at college with high honor, and then
entered i machine shop and began at the
very lowest point, and diligently and
faithfully worked his wav up through all
the steps of locomotive building. till he
made himself thoroughly familiar with
the rolling stock of railroads and the
connected engineering. His college asso-
ciates and friends went, for the most
part. into some one of the professions;
but he went steadily on with his me-
chanic employment, coming home at
nisht to take off his greasy and soled
clothing and appear as the gentlenan in
the parlor. and in the morning rising for
breakfast long before the family and
going off t" his work for the day. And
the consequence is that. having thor
oughly mastered the details of his work,
hp WAS ut once called to an important
and lucrative position on one of the large
railroads of the land. with the fair pros
pect Of rising to its highest Office of
honor and trust.
Are not these facts full of instruction?
Are there not many Young ladies of
wealthy families who would be wise if
they would in some way. by the knowl-
edge Of some business. prepare to be
able TO support themselves if, in the
changes of life. they should be left de-
pendent? And, Instead of crowding the
professions. as such multitudes of our
Young men are doing. where for years
they can for the most part expect but
limited and precarious income, would
they not be far wiser to engage in those
mechanical employ ments which are so
conducive to the progress of the society,
and almost always amply remunerative
to those who intelligentlv follow them.
Christian Weekly.