The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1890-07-17

cary Mothers.

! N. !. Ledger.)
l am convinced that there are
times IN everybody's experience
when there is so much to be done,
that the only way to do it is to sit
down and do nothing. This sounds
paradoxical, but it is rot.
For instance, there is the over>
tasked mother of family, in moder-
ate circumstances, who must be
brains, hands, stomach and feet for
q dozen little children, and their
father, ,who counts full another dozen.
Do the best she may, plan the wisest
she may, her work accamulates fear
fully on her hands. One days labor
laps over on tho next, till she cannot
sleep at night for fear she shall over
sleep in the morning. And though
she works hard all day, and gives
herself no relaxation, she cannot see
any result at the close, save that
''she hath done what she could
OF course you say "Let her be
satisfied with that, and not worry
about it, That is only another
proof how easy it is for some people
to bear the troubles Of other people.
Suppose her nervous system has
been strained to the utmost, SO that
every step is g weari0ess and every
fresh and unexpected demand sets
her = all Of trembie," as women ex-
press it, what is the use of reasoning
then about not working? The more
she can work, the more she will try
to till she drops in her trucks.
Nov, there are self-sacrjfoing
mothers who reed somebody to say
to them:
"Stop! You have just to make
your choice now between death and
life. You have expended all the
strength YOU have on hand, and must
lay in a new stock before any work
can be done hy you. So don't GO
near your kitchen, Get right into
bed and lie there, just as man
would do if he didn't feel one quart
er as bad as yoC DO and my word
for it, the worid will keep on going
round just the same as if you we're
spinning ~ spasmodic teetotum, q:
hens do, long after their heads have
been cut off. Ycs-jnst lie there
till you get rested; and they all fnC
out, by picking up the burdens yot
have dropped, what 4 load you have
been uncumplainingiY si3onlderlDg
| Yes-just lie there; and tell them tt
bring you something nice to eat ans
| drink-yes, drink; and forbid, under
dreadfal pe0altjes, anybody asking
you what the family are to have foI
dinner. Let them eat what they like
so that they don't trouble you, aD(
season it to their tastes; and here.
hoping it will do them good"
And now, haYing located You com
fortablY under the quilt, out Of harm:
way. let me tell you that if you
are doing God service, or anybody
else, by using up years strength
in O week YOu have made a sinfu
n stake. I don't care anything abou
that basket Of unmended stockings
or any nursery nightmare whicl
, haunts the dreams Of these "Martha'
mothers.
Tou haYo but one life to live; that
, plain. And when you are dead, al
the kings men can't make you stan'
on yoar feet again; that's plain
. There, then-don't be dead In th
first place, go out part Of ever,
day, rain or shine, for the fresh air
J and don't tell me you cant: at least
net while you can stop to embroide
your ehildrens clothes. As t
"dressing to 90 out,' don't dress
:. If you are clean and whole. that
enougG. Have hoots with elastic
, at the side, instead Of those that tax
< 50 long to lace up;' in short, simpl
8 fy your dressing, aud then sto
= every wheel IL the house, if neces
: sary, in order to 90 out, but &C
Fifteen minutes is better tuan mott
ing, If you can't get out in the day
time, run out ia the evening; and
- your husband can't see the necessit
o of it, perhaps he will on refectio
after YOU have gone out. The mors
OF all which is, that if nobody els
r will take care of yOo, you must jus
- take care of yourself,