Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-05-09
Taking My Boys Advice.

ga penny for your thoughts, mammal
said Willie, my youngest.
"Oh Willie, boy, I'm trying to decide
what to do first this evening. There is
pile of niending, the stockings and socks to
be darned, Joe's new books to be covered,
and If Aunt Jennie is to come on Saturday,
the muslin curtains for her room should be
hemmed tonight"
"Know what I'd do ?" queried rogue
Willie, with smile.
"Well, what would you do, my boy ?"
"Pd let the stocks, and socks, and other
old rags take care of themselves till to-
morrow. Joe might cover his books him
self do i'm good, and keep the cove out O.
mischief, and 'spose the lar.dy curtains
warn't put up till after Aunt Jennie got
here, spect anybody'd die2 Besides, there's
a story in the paper I'm a'sufferin' to hear
read. Come on, Mumpsey read the paper
tonight, and not do anythin' else. Jes rest
crowd myself into a work-basket and Thin
BILE all the time !"
My first thought was, All how little the
dear child knows of the cares and duties de-
volvng upon the mother of family. The
next moment an impulse seized me, which
ordinarily would have seemed to indicate
lack of reason on my part would take
Willie's advice, and see what the result
would be.
"Well, get the paper, Willie, and in q
moment l will be ready to read" Then
going to the closet, found some nice brown
paper, and the bottle of muscilsge. had
! no idea it would rest me so. In the first
| place it was real pleasure to watch Willie's
| face, as the cleverly written story unfolded
itself, and l was interested myself in finding
how it all came out. Pretty soon Joe came
in with his new school books. He was de-
| lighted at the thought of covering them
| himself and it astonished me to see how
nicely he set to work.
At eight o'clock Willie went to bed with
satisfied little face, and sat reading the
entire evening, and it was fact, my sleep
that night was more refreshing than it had
been for long time; nor WAS that all,-it
often occurred that during the morning
hours, overcome with unconquerable drowsi-
ness, would drop asleep in my chair, but
that morning felt bright enough to equal
any exertion. 1t is true, when Aunt Jennie
came the pretty muslin curtains were not
up at the windows, but to my simple expla-
nation she replied, just as expected:
"You know l would thousand times
rather never see muslin curtains up, tasteful
as they are, than to know you had over
worked to get them there. Mortal woman,
my dear, can do just SO much, and no more.
Nature will have her due, first or last.
So fell to rejecting as to whether, after
all, it was good judgment on the part of the
housekeeper and mother, being so ambitious
to accomplish as much in given time as we
naturally are. l well know the satisfaction
afforded by having everything in applepi or
der when Saturday night comes around, but
would it not be wise for us in the prime of
life to pause for moment, and ask seri-
ously, is it necessary, is it best, all this
wearying round of toll and anxiety Iknow
many faithful wife and mother will say,
the theory and arguments in favor of occa-
sional relaxation from certain round of
duties is all proper and well enough for
those who can control their time to suit
their own convenience, but my work would
never be done If failed to employ every
wakeful moment, and should hardly dare
declare her mistaken. But need all the
work be done that is Is there not toe
often an unwholesome ambition urging us
on rather than real necessity?
One day, soon after my evening of rest
Mrs. Harmon called to see what l would
make for the church fair. Ireplied, with q
feeling of discouragement, that would dc
what | could, mentally resolving not to
worry or tax myself too severely even if
did nothing, for with my crowded hands
how could | make fancy articles for the
fair and a growing nervousness warned
me of the danger should | attempt toe
much. But was dumb with astonishment
and admiration for my neighbor, when she
went on and told what she had done within
the preceding twenty-four hours. The eve
ming before she had worked till eleven
O'Clock on an exquisite sofa-pillow for the
fair; at FIVE that morning she was up, had
swept and busted, and had batch of pies
we'll under way before breakfast at dinner
time she had baked pies, mixed grea
plum cake, repaired coat for Mr.. Harmon
and put away the weeks washing. Since
dinner she had put down carpet, cut anG
basted dress for Jose, and written long
letter, and now at five o'clock she was al
dressed up, sitting in my parlor making 9
call.
And expect to do Just as much within
the next twenty-four hours" she added, with
a triumphant smile.
After she had gone, actually shed tears
thinking how much more energetic she wa
than |, with all my untiring perseverance,
and diligence, for what day ever saw sucf
an amount of work accomplished at my
hands as she described. 1t was time for the
spring cleaning, and do my best there wa'
no time for making single article for the
fair, which dreaded attending, and meet
ing Mrs. Harmon's reproachful glances, fol
of course she would know nothing Of my
having denied myself much coveted piec,
of furniture in order to give all l coulC
towards the church object but bought {
J season ticket, and was present the opening
night One of the first objects to attrac
my attention was the beautiful sofa-pilloV
Mrs. Harmon had made, but | did not SO,
her during the evening, and concluded sh,
was conducting one of the side shows. Al
no one could call for me that evening,
started for home early, but had gone but
short distance when | almost ran agains
: Mr.. Harmon.
, al did not see Mrs. Harmon at the fair,
| remarked, although she must have beer
there"
Humph Confound the fair |" he blurte,
out. Mrs. Harmon isn't there; she's fla
on her back, where she's likely to stay al
winter. The doctor says it is one of tn
worst cases of nervous prostration he eve
, saw"
expressed sincere sympathy and regret
but Mr.. Harmon was not to be comforted.
"Told my poor wife over and over again,
he went on, "that no good. would come o
her driving about as she did, but she wa
ambitious, and very saving OF time ant
money, and pretty sum its going to cos
getting her up again, though goodness
knows | don't begrudge doing all l can fo
poor wife"
Mr.. Harmon was kindhearted man, bu
in moderate circumstances, and his wife,
illness was a serious drawback to him in
many ways. Other assistance would b,
necessary beside the young girl they kept
as help. There was family of young
children with their numberless require
ments and doctors bill of no inconsider
able amount was inevitable, and it was both
painful and ludicrous TO hear MIR. Harmon
deplore the unfortunate persistence with
which his wife would push things in one
breath, and with the next, loyalty declare
his willingness to do all in his power fol
poor wife" now she was sick.