The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1892-07-16
THE NEEDLE.
An Instrument That Is at Once Hoip and
Solace.

An Instrument That Is at Once IIeip ana
Solace.
That essential feminine implement,
the needle is much more than the die
tionary defines it--"a small instrument
of steel, sharply pointed at one end,
with an eye at the other to receive o
thread; used in sewing" Such bald,
prosaic statement ignores the real help
and comfort of the needle 1t is not
only what it produces the useful or or
namental work which in slSillful fin
gers it brings to perfection, but its
ability TO sooth the spirit, to solace the
grief-striclSen, and its power to turn
restless energy into channel of use
fulness. Many woman has reason to
be thankful for the needle which keeps
her fingers busy in hours of sadness or
perplexity, and which often guides her
thoughts to the "haven where they
would be" n peaceful, holy haven, 50
welcome to those who are
"Sailing o'er lifcs solemn main"
A woman who can use her needle has
n resource of comfort denied TO those
beings who can only find tranquility
or diversion from wearing thought in a
pipe or cigar, and she has the satisfac-
ton of knowing that her employment
amounts to something and will not
vanish in cloud of smoke Bright fan.
cies and poetic thoughts are often
woven while the hands are busily en-
ployed with needle-work. and even
homely mending and stocking darning
are no barriers to thoughts widest
| range.
Margaret Fuller, whose brillient
mind and wonderful intellectual pow
ers are as yet unrivalled by any of her
| sisterhood in American literature, was
an efficient and ever-ready helper with
the family sewing. Her work was al
ways done beautifully, never sighted;
| nor because her mind was broader and
deeper than the minds of other women
who could only sew, did she ever dis
| dain her household task. We all know
Penelope and her artful ruse to keep
the suitors at bay, and smile
with womanly superiority at the stu
pidity of the lovers who were So woe
fully ignorant of the capabilities of
the needle. The famous tapestry
wrought by the queen of William the
Conquerori is faithful picture gallery
and invaluable to the historian. Othe,
women in the same exalted station have
left less valuable yet interesting pieces
of needleworlS, and one is brought very
near to the hearts of these royal ladies
who stitched many sad thoughts ano
disappointed hopes and batfled ambi
tions into the rich fabrics, as did beauti.
full, hapless Mary Stuart. As remind
ers of the work expected of every small
girl in the days of our grandmothers
and their graudmothers, are the cher
ished samplers with their alphabets
large and small, and numbers anC
quaint verses, the names of the little
seamstresses being appended with fin,
disregard of the principles governing
the division of words. Every stitch o
the canvas is utilized. and the poctr,
crowded into one continuous line, il
defiance of poetic usage. Some of tn
silken threads are discolored, not b,
time alone, but by the tears of the small
damsel who found some intricate lette
or quaint bird beyond her power t
copy.
The improvements of machinery hav
Seam which was indispensable for
sheet in the days when linen wa
woven in narrower widths But tn
"long white seam" was Il favorite tasl
; given to young girls, and sweet wer
often the day dreams sewed into il
The stock of household linen had a,
{ ways to be made ready against the tim
the maiden should leave her early hom
for new one of her own, and ever.
piece of the ample outfit had daint
initials marked in the fine cross stitcl
of her sampler days.
Modern invention has done vastl
more than widen the breadths of linel
or cotton, and the sewing machine ha
superseded many of the uses of tn
''small steel instrument" but it is ye
indispensable, and we hope that it a
: ways will be. There is a personality
almost, in ones needle, and we cannc
embroider nor darn nor do any kind {
mending without its aid and althoug
! pins play an important part in millir
cry, yet the needle must count for some
thing in the finishing touches of boz
, net or hat, and grandma's dainty ca
can never be ''blown together" withor
a few of its stitches Bazaar.