Woman's work. (Athens, Georgia) 1887-1???, December 01, 1888, Image 6

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For Woman's Work. AROSE AND A SMILE. BY LIZZIE A. VORE. The sunlight struggled through the cloud, That swathed the mountain peaks; It sent it s yellow, shimmering light In golden, glinting streaks, That lighted up the modest room. Where the morning meal did wait For the coming of my castle's lord, Who tarried long and late. The children clamored for the food, Violet, Watt and sweet baby Hoy. So I tilled the plat< s, and waited still And waited lor my other pinch loved “boy.” Ah! said my heart, “he is coming!” Tho’ not a sound did I hear, But I knew by the throb of my pulses My love was somewhere near. Hark! a step on the gravel outside, Now, a strong hand on the door; My husband entered smiling, That smile had oft charmed me before. He brought a full blown rose, And tenderly gave to me; Mine the rose, and the smile thatwentwith it, Ah, 'tis sweet, such love to see! So, into the vague, shadowy future, I wistfully gaze and wait: But the memory of the sunshine, And the dew-wet rose at my plate, And my husband's smile so tender, And each baby s innocent face— Is a picture framed in a halo of light, That time can never efface. They were given to me but yester morn, Now, the rose is withered and gone, But my dear love’s smile can never die, It will live till eternity s dawn. And their memory will brighten the burdens of life, The rose and the smile so fond. And strengthen my steps in the onward march, Into the dim beyond. For Woman's Work. UNSAID WORDS. ‘‘Words fitly spoken are as apples of gold in pictures of silver.” ‘ Words filly spoken.” There is a time then when words should not be left unsaid. “Speech is silver, but silence is golden. ’ How oil we hear it reiterated, but, when there are those who are hungering for our words, surely we should not withhold the “apples of gold ” the fruit of our lips for which they have an intense craving. How many there are about us who are yearning tor words of sympathy, ot en couragement, o love, and yet they go on their way heart-hungry, because we, for want of thoughtfulness, do not deal out to them a sufficient measure of that which would prove manna to their hungry hearts. “lily mother is the sweetest, noblest, best woman living,” said a fine-looking boy who was growing well toward mam hood. Just a fragment of a conversation between himself and his school-chum as they separated at the gate of the latter’s home. “And do you ever put your arms around her neck, kiss her, and tell her that.” said a young man who was passing just in time to catch the words. “Well, no, not exactly. I used to when a child, but as we become older we put away childish things’ ” “But my boy, you mistake, if you call affection, or the outward demonstration of it, “childish things.” <«o while you may, and tell your mother some such words as I heard you use in speaking of her to your comrade, and see with what joy she will receive the assurance that she isnppre ciated. Besides, you will spare yourself the agonizing regret, should you ever lose her, that you had left unsaid, words that would have been “apples of gold,” to her hungry heart. 1 konw, lor when, after a long seperation from my mother, 1 turned my steps homeward, resolved that she should hear from my lips, every day of my life, words that would assure her of my affection, I found I had come t o late, and those unsaid words lie as a burden on my heart to-day.” 1 have in mind a lady, between whom and her husband, there was a dearth of ex pression of endearment, or of even ap proval. I believed they “loved one anoth er,” but I think the evidence would not be | obtainable in any earthly court, for 1 think 1 neither by written line, or “word of mouth,” ; do they ever put the proof in tangible form, j At one time she was giving me the details, of a little affair in which she had been one of the chief act->rs. When she had finished 1 r« plied, “Yes, your husband told us ot it. and, 1 farther added, (not for a moment imagining that I was bearing tidings) “he was highly pleased with your conduct in the matter,” and 1 repeated his words. She looked at me earnestly, then said “Did he .say that “Certainly,” said I. She sat silently for a few moments, then with tears in her eyes, she said, "I wish he bad told me that. Oh if only I had known ; he thought that! It would have spared me many a heart ache, for I have felt all the time that he was displeased with my action, though I could never see how I could have done otherwise, with a clear conscience.” Poor heart. I thought. The “unsaid | words” might be a feast to your famishing j soul, if only some good impulse would un- I seal his lips. ; “Elma!” said little Nellie L— a sweet. I lovable and loving child oi five years, and i she crept softly, close to the sideof a young ! lady who was boarding in the family. I “Elma,” in a voice choked with emotion. I “Can you tell me why papa never kisses i and pets me as he does sister Anna? ’ “Why dear,” said Elma as she caught the little sufferer in her arms, “1 presume because Anna is the baby.( Less than two years difference in their ages.) “But Elma,” and this lime the little ! speaker burst into sobs, “I wish papa would ’ pet us both.” “And,” said Elma, as she related the incident to me, “I could not say one word ; to comfort the child, only try to lead her thoughts into other channels, for I had often noticed the difference in the father’s manner toward the two children, and had witnessed the cause of Nellie's outburst of grief, in that, their papa, when he passed j through the hall, on his way out ; for the afternoon, had caught the I baby in his arms and kissed her. entirely I oblivious of Nellie’s presence, ar.d forget i tul that children of five are not too old to be kissed.” Fathers! Mothers! Du we notoft-times j crowd these little ones out, to make room . for the babies?— not out of our affections, i truly, but back from our arms, our knees, our lips and then, when they are older, we complain that “our children are growing away from us.” It the babies only are entitled to our words of endearment and tokens of effection, let us at once “Resolve” —“That all our children shall be ‘babies’ (to us) so long as we both shall live.’ If they hunger for bread shall we give them a stone? “I wasn’t ashamed of my little sister to night, I assure you,” said a big brother to his sister, but little younger than himself, and they were both near the middle of the teens. She knew his words meant that he was proud of her, and she gathered needed eneouragment from them, for she had bashful tendencies, and was a trifle sensi tive, and it had required all the courageshe could summon to enable her to go through the ordeal of “acting well her part,” in the • Society” affair, from which they were just returning. How his outspoken words of approval and encouragement helped her to brave the lions in her path, in her “first society days,” she knows if others do not. Ah! If he had neglected to say them. Even let the good impulses have tree play, and find free expression that those who wait for our words may never say. • I was hungry, and ye gave me no meat.” •1 longed for the'apples of gold’and you with-held them from my famished lips.” Sylvia Silverthorne. Muscatine, lowa. For Woman’s Work. HOUSEHOLD THRIFT. , A truenotion of household thrift involves more than hard work and careful econo mies. It is indeed hard work that is often, most thriftily to beavoided. “Themistress’ eye does more work than both her hands”— says the old Welsh proverb, and the French have a similar one. “The masters’ eye fattens the steed.” It is the house keeper’s best art to make careful supervi sion, save both time and strength. There is nothing praiseworthy in that ambition which impels a woman to do more work than her neighbors; there is no economy in doing one’s self what can be as well done by a person of inferior capaci ty. True thrilt demands that the higher faculties be uevoted to the higher work, and to teach a servant or a child to do a duty thoroughly and to see to it ' that the duty is done, is a much truer econ i' oiny, than to do it all one’s self. If the i house-mother’s plan of life is narrow, her ; purposes falsely centered, then her life runs | to waste, however saving of odd moments, of odd pence, or of clothes, she maybe. The purpose of a woman’s life must reach beyond to-day, this week, the present sea son, and embrace the whole future of hus band and children, the whole sphere in which she moves. Viewed in this light, so many things seem trivial which loom up large to-day. so many things grow grand which in the present seem insignificant. Every recreation, every effort at self im provement. every hour of social intercourse, every time of anxious care, all work to i gether to perfect the whole, and make the home life something great and strong, and beautiful. For tho element ol beauty must never be wanting, nor sacrificed to that of utility. Beauty makes life by so much the richer, and true household thrift, will seek for beauty every-where. SOME HINTS PI RTAINING TO RIDING. There is no more useful, graceful nor healthful accomplishment than horseback i riding, at d as mo.-t gills have an ambition ! to learn and excel in the art, a few hints ; may be u-eful, coming from one who for i years has been considered quite an adept J as a rider. In the first place, I would say by all means learn to ride and learn to ride well; with a little care you can ride grace fully, and it will be easier on y< u and easier on the horse than to ride otherwise. A riding school is wholly unnecessary if you can find a horse anywhere else. More stiff “ woodeny ” figures 1 never saw on horseback than I saw in Central Park in New York City, when the graduating class in a celebrated riding school in that city, came out for an airing and Practice. The best practice for a beginner is a gentle old horse minus a saddle, in a back lot or past ure. Another good practice is riding the horses to water, to pasture, after the cows, anywhere or any way, in no other way but by constantly being with and handling horses can they be understo d and con trolled. A young lady who has thus be come accu-tomed to horses will need but lit tle instruction, and 1 propose to give about all the instruction in this article that is necessary to become a skillful and graceful rider. The best horse for ladies riding is one of medium size and medium light built. See i that the withers are high, or the saddle will j slip too far forward, a <1 cause great annoy- I ance; see that his shoulders are comparative- j ly high, or he will have an uncomfortable ; gait. In color, individual taste, or what ! ever is available is generally considered, I but a bay or chestnut sorrel is more easily ; kept looking clean than a black, white or I cream-colored horse. Ascertain if he is I gentle, kindly disp >sed, and sagacious ■ These qualities will not interfere with his I being high spirited. Having chosen one j for your especial use. handle him all you ' can, feed him, lead him to water, pet him. ■ give him little dainties that he is fond of, ] use the currycomb and brush on him; learn to take care of him as thoroughly as if you had it to do. By so doing you will have ten times the control over him that you would have otherwise. Any sum over eighteen dollars will buy a good saddle. A cheaper one will not prove satisfactory; see that it is well made, thoroughly padded, and of good material; see that it has three horns and do not let any dealer talk you into buying any other kind. It is almost impossible to be unseat ed from the three horned saddle, for the knee of the left limb presses up against the downcurving third horn, while the right limb presses the upeurving second horn. There is no more danger of skirts clinging to the pommel on this kind of saddle than on any other, an objection sometimes urged, but I know what I am talk ing about. Notice the girths, dinches, we call them. Do not buy or use one with a buckle fastening on but one with a ring and straps; they are much safer. A good stout bridle properly bitted,martingale,etc., will complete this part ot the outfit. Un less the saddle is thoroughly padded, you will need something beside the two blank ets commonly used. If jour horse is high in the withers and a good riding horse should be so, make or have made, two pads, of canvass or ticking. Let them be about six inches wide by sixteen inches in length, fasten together by three pieces of leather, so that they wi.l be about one and one-half inches apart. Put these on the horse’s back before putting on the blankets; the fancy blanket is all that is really necessary now. These pads will prevent the saddle’s touching the horse’s back along the parts that are liable to be come sore from compression. Learn how to saddle your own horse, know tho responsibility and possibility of every strap, ring or btickle, on or about the saddle. You will want a habit of some dark ma terial. Ladies cloth. 1 find to be the most serviceable; velvet is liked by some, but it is hard to keep clean, and soon looks shabby. Make the basque with postillion back, long or short as the mode dictates, but be sure to have the front and sides below the waist line very short, be sure to have it to tit perfectly, for in no place does an ill fitting garment look so badly as on horseback. Let the sleeves fit snugly, put a rather high collar in ti e neck, and do not decorate with a superfluity of bright buttons. Line the skirt throughout with lining material the same color as the cloth, let it be about two and one half yards around and come about six inches below your feet when you are on the horse. If the skirt is too long I and wide it will blow back over the horse’s j hips, flop around his hind legs, look badlv j tire him, impede bis speed, and perhaps i frighten him. Many wear pantaloons of the same material as the habit. It these are i worn no skirts will be needed, otherwise have a rather scant skirt like the habit and about the length of the usual walking dress; finish with a narrow plaiting. Do not put on any more skirts if you do not want to look like Mother Bunch. If you want the tall silk hat for rid'ng, get it and wear it. I prefer a cap in the military or jocky style, made of the same material as the habit. Let it be rather tall, and large enough to fit over the head. If you must trim it, put a little gold or silver cord where the visor joins the cap. Beware of leathers, ribbons and even veils, except ing as a protection from sun or wind. Remember that the trimmer one looks on horseback, the better. Wear white linen collar and cuffs and good heavy gloves, gauntleted or otherwise as suits the taste. Get a whip that is useful as well as orna mental, and if you like, a neat little spur. But I find that the rowels cut the riding d ress. Well, you are all ready for a ride, arrange your riding skirt so that the folds when you drop it. will drop straight down, stand on the left side of your horse, your attend ant will stand by the horse’s shoulder, he will kneel.or almost so. on his right knee, place his right hand, with the elbow of his left arm in its palm, on bis left knee, extend his band—you will place your left foot in his hand, turn your shoulders to almost face the saddle, place one hand on its back part and the other on the left pommel; as you spring up your attendant will rise also— you find yourself in the saddle. It takes a little practice for both, so don’t be dis couraged if all does not work right the first time. Y’our attendant will place your foot in the stirrup. Do not raise the um er edge of the habit but thrust the foot into the stirrup with a p irtion of the habit with it. To mount by yourself, get upon the mounting block or some slight elevation, put your hands on the saddle as before de scribed and spring up. This also takes practice. Having mounted in good order, take the reins in y >ur left hand, your whip‘in the ri.ht. letting the arm hang easily by your side, be careful not to let it swing or be disturbed by the motion of the horse. Hold the elbow of the left arm well into the side. Authorities differ as to the man ner of bolding the reins. I will tell you how 1 hold them. I pass the little finger between the reins, close the hand over them, letting the ends come from between the thumb and fore finger. They can be held very tightly this way. Guide the horse to right or left, moving bridle hand in the direction desired. Hold the hand low so that it almost touches the knee. Now sit exactly in the center of your horse’s back ; hips as square to the trout as possible; shoulders square to the front, and' until you are sure of your seat, keep your eyes religiously on your horde’s ears. Sit straight or incline the body a little forward but throw the shoulders well back, this will give a bttle inward curve to the back which is very graceful, sit close to your horse and do not bounce around in your saddle. Endeavor to find out your horae’s ea-iest riding gait and keep him to it. There are many other things which will suggest themselves to you as you become more and more proficient in this interesting accompli-hment. I look back now on the time when my good horse carried me safely over long miles to and from my school when I was a school marm, over ditches, fences and swollen streams; over the gay tournament Course, and the many prizes we won to gether, but the good horse enjoys his old age in pastures green, the saddle and prizes hang on the wall, and for two years I have kept house for one of the best hu-bands in the world, and now a littie six months old baby boy, interferes with the horse back riding. But bless his little heart, I would not give him up to have all the good times over again. Would you if he were yours? Cora V. Society indeed has its great men and its little men, as the earth has its mountains and valleys. But the inequalities ot tho intellect, like the inequalities of the surface of our globe bear so small a proportion to the mass, that, in calculating its great rev olutions, tiny may safely be neglected. The sun illuminates the hills while it is still below the horrizon; the truth is dis covered by the highest minds a little before it becomes manifest to the multitude. 1 his is the extent of their superiority. They are the first to catch and reflect a light, which without their assistance must, in a short time, be visible to those who lie lar beneath them.— Macaulay. To know one person who is positively to be trusted, will do more for a man’s moral nature yes for his spiritual nature—than ull the sermons he has ever heard or ever can hear.— George Mac Donald. Though a good woman may not read herself clearly; yet she sees what she lacks and recognizes the complement to icrself, which she finds in the man whom she approves.-—J. G. Holland.