Occupations > Frugal housewife

MODEUATE FORTUNE. 173
“ It’s a family, surely, ma’am; but there
an’t one of ’em I’d be willing to lose. They
are as good children as need to be—all willing
to work, and all clever (kind) to me. Even
the littlest boy, when he gets a farthing now
and then for doing a chore, will be sure and
bring it to ma’am.” “Do your daughters
spin your thread 1” “ No, ma’am ; as soon
as they are old enough, they go out to sar-
rice. I don’t want to keep them always
delving for me ; they are always willing to
give me what they can ; hut it is right and
fair they should do a little for themselves.
I do all my spinning after the folks are
abed.” “ Don’t you think you should be
better off, if you had no one but yourself to
provide for 2” “ Why, no, ma’am, I don’t.
If I hadn’t been married, I should always
have had to work as hard as I could ; and
now I can’t do more than that. My children
are a great comfort to me ; and I look for¬
ward to the time when they’ll do as much
for me as I have done for them.”
Here was true philosophy 1 I learned a
lesson from that poor woman which I shall
not soon forget. If I wanted true, hearty,
well-principled service, I would employ chil¬
dren brought up by such a mother.