The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-06-07
A Sermon Over a Mending-
Basket.


1 am perfectly worn out with my
mending and darning," sighed Mrs. Hill
man, as she YEARLY lay back for mo-
ment in her easy-chair. 1t had grown
too dark to see where to set the careful
stitches, and the thrifty housewife could
not bring herself to light the gas at
quarter to FIVE.
The days are so short now" she said,
"and the children go through so many
clothes. John is awfully hard on his
seeks, and Bridget manages to tear off
strings and loosen buttons in a most
heart-rending way, have no time for
any thing. l would have enjoyed going
to the matinee this afternoon, but two
things kept me at home; one, that it
seemed so extravagant to spend fifty cents
on ticket for two hours pleasure; and
the other, this never-ending, still-begin-
ming task. Aunt Mary, do say some
thing 1 want comforting"
The placid, elderly lady, who sat by
the CHEEKY, open fire, had listened patti
emily to the plant which she had heard
so often before. She was thankful for
the winter twilight which gave her niece
the chance to fold the busy hands at least
for few minutes; and she thought, as
she had thought at other times, that here
was the opportunity for giving little
good advice.
Milly," she said, I feel like quarrel
ing with your economy. John says he is
doing so well this season, and he certain
ly is making the house wonderfully
pleasant, bringing in new books and
magazines daily, and restraining you from
no possible enjoyment; yet it seems to me
that your life grows harder, narrower,
and more monotonous every year. You
are slave to your anxiety for the mate
rial well-being of your family. Pardon
me, dear, for speaking plainly, but 1 fear
you are robbing your dear ones of your
self. You are losing your freshness and
vitality. The house shines with cleani-
ness, and the wardrobe of every Hillman,
from papa to the baby, is marvel of
good taste and beauty But meanwhile
you are impoverishing your own mind
and soul. Your love music, but it will
soon be lost art to you. You like
books, but you never open one. You do
not know the least thing about politics,
new inventions, discoveries, philanthropic
progress, or any thing, in fact, which the
world cares about. In consequence,
John is unconsciously, dear fellow ceas-
ing to look to you for sympathy or com
partnership, except about domestic affairs.
You are letting mending basket inter
pose itself between your lifes happiness
and you No don't light the lamp yet.
We can talk more freely in this fire glow,
and I've been longing for the chance to
admonish you ever since 1 came to make
this visit"
Aunt Mary, much of what you say
Is true. I acknowledge it. But where
is the remedy? There are my six chill
dren-six solid facts. l must oversee
their studies, attend to their practising,
take them to the dentists, keep a watch
on their associates, and to crown all,
make and mend their clothing I keep
but one servant, and if were to engage
another my neighbors would think was
proud. don't see where the time is to
come in for music and culture. John
likes good dinner, and I'm afraid he
would rather have it than manage with
a poor one, even with an intellectual wife
to serve il"
" AS for the dinner question, that's
side issue" said Aunt Mary "but did
not begin this conversation without hav-
ing way Of relief in my minds eyes
Why not engage a competent woman to
come here every week and assail this
mountain of mending? Yesterday was
calling on my Sunday -school class. You
have heard me speak of the Lathrops
They are plain, self-respecting people,
who support themselves by sewing for
families who employ them to make un-
derclothing, sheets, pillow-slips, &c. 1t
was not long before | saw that Susy
Lathrop was feeling very depressed
and few questions which I, being her
teacher, was fable to ask without indelca-
cy, revealed to me the state of the case.
The Mitohells, on N. street, have always
given Susy a great deal Of sewing but
this winter two Of the young ladies,
thinking they would like to earn some
money for themselves, have petitioned
their mother to employ and pay them,
and save the expense Of a seamstress. l |
suppose Mrs. Mitchell reasoned, as peo-
pie usually do, that it was we'll to keep
the money in the family. At all events,
it has taken away poor Susy's bread and
butter"
" 1t seems Praiseworthy in the girls, ]