The familiar work-basket should be a loved article of household furniture, and mother or sister should be associated with it, not as hurrying, driven, tired and overstrained sewers, but as enthusiasts, finding it a relief to sew, simply because by sewing social chat can be indulged in, and a time to think would be secured, if talking is not agreeable. Too much attention is given to it, hence the complaints made by many women that they are never free from its monotony. Too little time is given to varying the work, and lightening each day the labor to 56 THE hearthstone; or, life at home. be performed. We should try harder not to have so much sewing to do ; and, laying aside the nonsensical demands of the work-basket, do only that which is called for absolutely. The time has come for women to be ransomed from the needle, and to be made acquainted with the pleasure that sewing — a proper amount and performed under right circumstances — will give to them. It is now that slavery in this direction should end, and a better standard of work and workers be secured thereby. We have had the veneering style long enough. We need some Eastlake in the sewing-basket as much as we do in the furniture in the parlors, or the upholstery in the bed-rooms. To sim- plify sewing, to do it well, and to make each article so durable that it will last well and serve a good purpose, this is the true end of sew- ing. It has been a much abused trade long enough ; let us raise it to the dignity of a fine art by refusing to utilize or countenance any but the best and plainest kinds of sewing. No more tawdry decoration of ill-shaped and poorly sewed garments. We want art needlework, and we propose to so dignify our beloved companion the sewing-basket, that none but artists will be able to compete for the best prizes in this calling. THE BABY IN THE HOME. •' Where did you come from, baby, dear ? Out of the everywhere into here. Where did you get the eyes so blue ? Out of the sky as I came through. Where did you get that little tear ? I found it waiting when I got here. What makes your forehead so smooth and high ? A soft hand stroked it as I went by. What makes your cheek like a warm, white rose? I saw something better than any one knows. Whence that three-cornered smile of bliss? Three angels gave me at once a kiss. Where did you get this pretty ear ? God spoke, and it came out to hear. Where did you get those arms and hands? Love made itself into hooks and bands. Feet, whence did you come, you darling things ? From the same box as the cherub's wings. How did they all come just to be you ? God thought of me and so I grew. But how did you come to us, my dear? God thought about you, and so I am here.' SHE advent so anxiously expected has taken place. The doctor says that all is well, as he puts on his gloves and bids us keep the patient quiet, and give her milk and beef-tea at stated intervals, and a sense of unutter- able thankfulness that his dear companion is safe fills a good husband's heart. For many months and weeks he has tried hard to banish the perils of child-birth from her mind and his own, but (57) 58 THE hearthstone; or, life at home.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

The familiar work-basket should be a loved article of household furniture, and mother or sister should be associated with it, not as hurrying, driven, tired and overstrained sewers, but as enthusiasts, finding it a relief to sew, simply because by sewing social chat can be indulged in, and a time to think would be secured, if talking is not agreeable. Too much attention is given to it, hence the complaints made by many women that they are never free from its monotony. Too little time is given to varying the work, and lightening each day the labor to [illustration: page 56] be performed. We should try harder not to have so much sewing to do ; and, laying aside the nonsensical demands of the work-basket, do only that which is called for absolutely. The time has come for women to be ransomed from the needle, and to be made acquainted with the pleasure that sewing — a proper amount and performed under right circumstances — will give to them. It is now that slavery in this direction should end, and a better standard of work and workers be secured thereby. We have had the veneering style long enough. We need some Eastlake in the sewing-basket as much as we do in the furniture in the parlors, or the upholstery in the bed-rooms. To simplify sewing, to do it well, and to make each article so durable that it will last well and serve a good purpose, this is the true end of sewing. It has been a much abused trade long enough ; let us raise it to the dignity of a fine art by refusing to utilize or countenance any but the best and plainest kinds of sewing. No more tawdry decoration of ill-shaped and poorly sewed garments. We want art needlework, and we propose to so dignify our beloved companion the sewing-basket, that none but artists will be able to compete for the best prizes in this calling. •' Where did you come from, baby, dear ? Out of the everywhere into here. Where did you get the eyes so blue ? Out of the sky as I came through. Where did you get that little tear ? I found it waiting when I got here. What makes your forehead so smooth and high ? A soft hand stroked it as I went by. What makes your cheek like a warm, white rose? I saw something better than any one knows. Whence that three-cornered smile of bliss? Three angels gave me at once a kiss. Where did you get this pretty ear ? God spoke, and it came out to hear. Where did you get those arms and hands? Love made itself into hooks and bands. Feet, whence did you come, you darling things ? From the same box as the cherub's wings. How did they all come just to be you ? God thought of me and so I grew. But how did you come to us, my dear? God thought about you, and so I am here.' SHE advent so anxiously expected has taken place. The doctor says that all is well, as he puts on his gloves and bids us keep the patient quiet, and give her milk and beef-tea at stated intervals, and a sense of unutterable thankfulness that his dear companion is safe fills a good husband's heart. For many months and weeks he has tried hard to banish the perils of child-birth from her mind and his own, but (57) 58 THE hearthstone; or, life at home.

The hearthstone; or, Life at home