Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-04-01

down to rest; just as I became interested
in an article, tired nature cot the better OF
the mental, and fell asleep with baby, ant
just as became interested in sleep ther
was rap at the door; in answer to m.
''come in," Mrs. Duplex entered, one OF
my neighbors who lives on the floor below,
''hves nicer than do, that is. in more ele-
giant style, ''lciU not have so many babies
Its wrong and foolish" she says. She
says, 'Oh, excuse me, Mrs. Ray, I am sor-
ry interrupted you. Oh; you were asleep;
| am so sorry l awoke you. I took my nap
earlier''
| She didn't retire if she was sorry, and
shciknev, too that I always took my nap at
this time when I was not disturbed. So
walked on in the daily beaten road. AS
asked her to sit down, I said: 81 am really
tired out" She replied with sincerity:
eyes; you didn't have enough to do; so
you went to market this morning, and then
came home and got yours and the children's
| breakfast"
''Oh, no; l was suddenly seated at a
sumptuous repast prepared by my best of
caterers. John,' replied.
"You don't tell me Mr.. Ray ever cooksp'
(rather sarcastically.)
ooh, yes; Mr.. Ray will do anything to
help me" said with pride.
''Mrs. Ray, you do get along real smooth
ly now, don't you? and often wonder how
you can live SO nicely on SO little. know
I could not"
If there is any one thing that arouses the
Satan in me, it is commiseration from those
cannot like; those who I know are not as
strong in principle as myself. l replied
with spirit:
sMrs. Duplex you could live on what we
do. We are not poor. We are strong in
health, in will, in principle, and in affec-
tion. We are frequently economical, and
rery grateful to the Giver for our many
blessings. My children are my jewels, and
just as many OF these as the Lord sends
me will try to train for Him. My three
back rooms are my home! and my husband
is the strong band that binds us all in one.
l go forth daily, as did this morning, with
the trivial round, the well-beaten road lead
ing me ever nearer God. You ask me how l
can live so eheerfuly and nicely on so little.
l have sy stem in my work. I make it a
study not SO much for what others may
think as for myself. 1t is easier for me, it
is happier for those around me, and think
\ hot ba bo :ol,+
than his neighbor, because symmetry is
more beautiful, should have the pre-emi-
nence over his neighbor, because it is done
well. So with woman's work, if she
does it better and on less than those around
her. She who sweeps, because she can make
all things in life divine by cheerfulness,
is surely more praise worthy than she who
grumbles because she has to sweep. You
see Mrs, Duplex, philosophize, and you
will please excuse me whilst dress these
little ones for their papa"
| Henry is but five years old, but l teach
my children to help themselves; so little
Harry came with his slippers and dress
and said, she would hep dress lister
JESSIE" talked away to Mrs. Duplex
until the chrildren's t. ilets were finished,
remarking in the meanwhile that agreed
with De Lesseps in not burdening children
with too many furbelows-that 1 made my
children's clothing plain and neat, and in
this way could have the more of them.
.'Do you do your own sewing and mend
ing, Mrs. Ray?'
Oh, how laughed as pointed to my
full work-basket and opened drawer of
cut and basted pieces ready for the ma
chine.
'Well how do / manage? You know
my husband is not, like yours, in business of
his own, but is ON salary paid monthly.
1 manage to always keep little cash laid
by, and often when am out see bar
gain, or, as some of my friends tell me,
bargains walk right up to you; others say
I have mack of picking up things others
wouldn't think of. Here is the secret:
When I see bargain know it, and don't
consider it cheap for me unless can put it
to use. If Il need it, I have the moral
cour age to walk right up to it. Mrs. Du-
plex, know women who have much less
titan have and some that have mere,) Mrs.
Duplex was one of the latter,) and so rich
they are ashamed to buy anything cheap.
Merchants laugh at them, and they give
me little credit for having some business
tact I cut out, baste, and lay away in
this drawer, and then some day will warn
John to look out tor less sumptuous din
ner, for am going to sew. Those are the
days you hear my machine going so rapidly.
prepare for work and do it."
eyes; will say you do. and you make
me feel l do nothing.
I began to cap strawberries for short
cake when she asked if I made such things
this hot weather.
ooh, yes," 1 replied, ''they are better
and healthier than those we buy. Now
these are done, and if you will come with
me to my dining-room I will make the
cake"
She sat by as finished this and pulled
! some peas, and then placed chicken iu
the baker. said: "You see I am making
no stranger of you, Mrs. Duplx.''
"That is all right, but I am wondering
why You cook so much this hot weather.
l wouldn't if were you"
Oh, yes, you would if you were 1. My
husband works hard Fl ON seven to six for
me, and l always see that he finds his
home, home. and palatable dinner when
he comes if l am well, and if am not
well, no man is more cheerfully philosophi-
Cal and sympathizing than he.
"Don't you get tired9'
"Why, of course do; fearfully tired, and
sometimes think cannot tread the trivial
round 1t is then feel the need of His
presence every assing hour, that
His grace can foil the tempter's power
NO one like Him my guide and stay can be.
Through clouds and sunshine cry,