West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1881-11-02
Let them ask Miss Arnold.n

you would be. You are naturally
corndlal, and | think you would not
iet your conversation be altogetber
OF the earth, as some do.n
l like calling well enough but
Vhe time, Auntie, the time! I am
well and strong, but | won't answer
Tor the consequences if l try to get
anything more into the WORKING
hours" - u
omitted?" 'o
.'No indcedl Why, 1 see hosts of
things every day that 1 am obliged
to neglect"
WAS your Wednesdays work all
necessary, my dearm
Now Aunt Abbie, I Just think
that's too bad l will have nv chill
dren dressed prettily, and of course
l must Go my own sewing. l can't
afford to put it out"
You will have the children
well-dressed whether the Lords
work is done or not? Did you mean
to say that?"
80 dear, no." said Mrs. Hender-
son, desperately; "but sewing is
my recreation. Some women can
paint or embroider I just love to
make things to suit me. Isn't Hell
ems new suit lovely? Now, YOU
know it is. And as to the ,ord's
work didn't the Lord give me nv
family, I'd like to know? What
would become of them if should
take to running the streets? |
never expected to hear such advice
from you, Aunt Abbie."
"Fair and softly, my dear. don't
believe in extremes, Do you hon
estly think there would be danger
OF your neglecting your family if
you went out little more? 1t
seems to me that more social life
would react favorably on your home
The Lord gave you family to care
for that is true Did he ever tell
you that he had nothing more for
you you to do? Is there anything
in the Bible to justify excessive
care? Now, Hattie, though | seem
to be laying down the law, l believe
from my heart that every Christian
must decide these matters for her
self. | only want to beg you
not to decide carelessly, wilful-
! ly. Give the question pray
erful consideration, and no one will
rest more satisfied than l. The
most useful members of Christian
society that | have ever known
have been very busy women. They
did not neglect their homes, but 1
noticed that they generally gave
up superhuous things. Don't you
remember what Mrs. Whitney says !
Something always gets crowded
out Would you rather it were
your own work or the Master's?"
Mrs. Henderson was silent for
some time over her mending. Then
she said, 81 don't see my way clear
to do anything Of the kind"
Aunt Abbie said no more. But
about month later, when she was
in her own quiet home, she receiv-
ed letter from her niece, which
contained the following frank con-
fession:
"Well, Aunt Abbie, I've taken
your advice. | always was like the
man in the parable, who said, 81
will not and afterwards repented
and went. The very day after you
left I asked Mr.. Kent for some
names, and | went in and out Of the
peoples houses feeling a good deal
! like book agent. But am bound
to say they were all very nice to
me, that is, excepting Mrs. Dugeon,
and | think she meant to be, only,
well she was SO peculiar that when
left her house [ said to myself,
T'll 90 straight home' But | only
had two names left on my list, and
one of them, Mrs. Hartwell, lived
50 near that I thought I'd just go
there and Pm glad I did, for the
Door woman is in great trouble.
She has lost two children with
diphtheria, and she hasn't any one
left, Auntie, for she is a widow.
"Not a soul had been near her
except the minister, and she per
feet stranger! O, dear me! 10
think that [ might have Rugged