Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-04-25
Chips From the Waste Basket.

Chips From the Waste Basket.
We had sung "Come Gentle Spring
Ethereal Mildness, Come" so long tina
we had grown hoarse in the effort I,
entice her majesty from the realms where
the frost king held her securely and hat
given up the singing business as a bat
lob, when loi spring herself is herel anc
she has evidently come to stay. in fact does
stay too persistently for the benefit o
sugar makers; good solid freeze once in
while is what keeps them in good humol
and sap. At the present writing there
seems poor prospect Of large make Of
maple sugar. Well, we are all heartily
tired of the reign of Jack Frost. l think
such long, cold winter as we have had
but if ever the Observation-Disclosures
wife l mean-needs to possess her sou
with patience it is in the spring. Every
child in the house is just about wild to be
out in the slush and mud. and the average
boy-if he be at all like our boys-wants
some dry stockings about elk times day
and If dry pants are not called for you are
lucky; and when four or five men come in
from the sugar place to dinner. with
clothes dripping on your clean floors
whence you have laboriously scrubbed the
last remains of yesterdays syrup, sugar
and slush, just press your lips together
and don't scold! 1t won't do particle Of
good and mag do harm, so there is nothing
| for it but patience and hard work. Talk
of Job! What did lhe know about it any
way? Was he ever farmers wife in
sugaring time, and the snow ever so deep
| in the woodsp
And then all the spring cleaning is
looming up before our mental vision with
fearful distinctness. about this time, and
every man, woman and child in the mousse
needs some new spring garments made or
renovated, aud school begins the first
Monday in May, and Sammie. Tommie,
Minnie and May must be got ready for
the "trst day" No wonder Fanny
Ferns" old body longed for "rest and a
clean apron" when she got to Heaven. |
think she was decidedly a sensible old
body and l fancy there are good many
of US who would feel that "rest and a
clean apron" or a clean wardrobe, was
Heaven if only we had not to worry about
how the work was going to be done TO.
n,orrow! All. believe this looking ahead
and doing to-morrow's work and the next
days in advance, that is, in our minds,
tires US fully as much as the actual
labor we perform to-day; if we could
really "take no thought for the morrow,
as far as bearing to-morrow's burdens
were concerned, we should be much
better in spirit, at least, but cannot do
it, happy is she who can.
And what with work and care that we
must have, and the worry and care we
take upon ourselves that we ought not,
don't wonder in the least that our asylu lis
are filled with farmers wives; only
wonder the rest of US are not there to
keep them company
see in a late number of the FREEMAN
that Clara rather disputes the position
took in our controversy some time ago
in regard to a married woman's rights.
She says it is not Joint stock" concern,
and really am obliged to confess that in
point of law she is right snd was wrong,
tor 1t cannot justly be called an equal
partnership that allows man the full
control of their property in case of his
wife's death, while she can only control
one.third of the same in case of his death,
and that only during his lifetime; she
cannot dispose of even her third without
the consent of the heirs. This is an
injustice as all must admit
| like "Clara's" definition of "menial."
No work is mental that is required for
our own comfort or that of our families
no matter how hard or disagreeable it
may be. If only our minds are noble no
work can make US meniaIs. LIB.
Mrs. B. is no doubt right in the wear.
ing effect of anti cipated labor. 1t is the
old story over again, of the "discontented
pendulum"
But the question comes up how can it be
helped.
Besides those who persistently and
needlessly borrow trouble, there is the
necessity for the foresight and calculation
to provide for future needs; in the house
hold, if work to be done in proper time
and manner, and to be prepared that it
may be so done, its extent and the difficult
ty must be properly appreciated, which
requires thought, contemplation. But
who shall discover and apply the exact
limit where 1t ceases to be prudent fore.
sight, and becomes useless borrowing
trouble?
If we could live more in the living
present, do the present duty, enjoy the
passing pleasures, it would seem that
some cares might be avoided, that are
1ow felt with sickenng pressure, and
'ome happiness enjoyed which now
passes UNDECIDED or is noted only to regret
he inability for its enjoyment
Sisters can we help each other to make
our labors easier, and our lives happier.