“MY MOTHER SCRUBBED WHILE I STUDIED SHAKESPEARE.”
By Mrs. W. S. Sadler
Mrs. W. S. Sadler, in Life Boat. “My mother scrubbed while I studied Shakespeare!” These words were spoken recently by a bright young woman, with whom we came in contact in our work. After she had finished Shakespeare, and had come face to face with the stern realities of life, she found herself in a strange and wicked city, and compelled to earn her own livelihood. We questioned her concerning her knowledge of practical work, and her answer was: “My mother never taught me to work; I grew up with the idea that I should never be called upon to perform menial labor. I loved my books, and mother permitted me to become wholly absorbed in them. She scrubbed while I studied Shakespeare. Was I to blame?” Was she? How often in the home we see the mother rising early to prepare the breakfast for the father and brothers, and after they are off to work, calling the daughter just in time to make preparations for school, and then congratulating herself that her daughter, “dear bright girl!” shall not be taxed with household cares and duties, but shall save all her strength for her studies. O mother, do you not know that while the mind is being taxed with the problems of school life, there is nothing so beneficial, healthful, and helpful for your daughter as practical housework with you as her companion? The faithful performance of the simplest domestic duties brings a satisfaction and a blessing which nothing else can. That is just why God has given us this work in the sacred realm of the home. THE VALUE OF HOME TRAINING AND HOUSEHOLD DUTIES.
There is something sacred about the household duties of a happy home. If mothers could only realize how much this simple training means to the daughter after she leaves the home nest, they would cease to rob their daughters of this most important part of their character building. It is this part of the training, mingled with the divine thought of pure religion, that serves as a rudder to many a girl’s bark when she finds herself out in the stormy ocean of life. On every side are swift and dangerous currents. The young woman in question had received some religious training in early youth, and this held her in the trying hours of this experience. She had said that she would not learn to do practical domestic work, but after a few moments of deep and careful consideration, she decided to take up the simplest duties, and do her best. We have only to relate the following sad incident, to show you what this young woman escaped, and we hope that it may serve as a beacon of warning to indulgent mothers and indolent daughters. SHE WAS A STRANGER TO BOTH CHRIST AND COMMON WORK.
One Saturday night, a few weeks ago, a young girl called on us, and told this sad story: “I was told that if I came here, you would help me.” We assured her that we would certainly help her if it lay in our power. She continued, “I have been away from home and work for four days, during which time I have not had my clothes off. To-night I had to give an answer about a great step I was asked to take, and instead I have come to you. I do not want to become a bad woman, and I want you to help me. When I was young, I went to school, had a good time, and was never made to work. I grew up with the idea that I would never have to work very hard. My mother washed and ironed and sewed and mended my clothes, while I did nothing but go to school and read books. I began reading novels when I was a little girl, and I grew up enjoying excitement. When I was thirteen years old, I ran away from home. My parents then decided to take me out of school, and give me a business training. I went to a school of shorthand and typewriting. I did well for a short time, but one afternoon one of the girls induced me to remain away from school, and accompany her to see some friends. That was a sad day for me.” THE AWFUL PRICE OF LOST CONFIDENCE IN MOTHER.
“The story of my sad experience I never told to mother; in fact, I never told her anything about myself. I told her something once, when very young, and she scolded me, and told me never to tell her anything like that again, and I never have. From that time friendship between myself and mother gradually lessened.” In a few moments, we were down on our knees praying. On arising, the first thing she said was, “I want to go home to-night; will you go with me?” In a short time, in company with Mr. Sadler, I accompanied this poor girl to her home, which is several miles from the training-school. As we left the street-car and drew near her home, she began to grow timid, and several times came near turning back, but we urged her on, feeling sure that the mother would receive her with open arms. Her father met us at the open door. Poor old man! he invited us in; but the mother did not take her in her arms; she did not even call her “daughter.” She simply said, in a heart-broken way, “Laura, where have you been?” After a short conversation, it was decided that she should return to the training-school with us. We did everything we could to help her; but the third morning, on going to her room, we found it vacant. She had arisen at an early hour, and left the training-school; no one knew where she had gone. Poor Laura! it was too late. The religious training had been left out in her youth; and having no education in practical work, her ship was left, in this great city, without a rudder. It was too late to mend matters. The mother through all the youthful experience of the girl, had been very indulgent, and had shielded her from work. She no doubt thought she was doing her daughter good instead of harm. The poor old couple have been looking and waiting for their daughter’s return; but alas! in vain. The first young woman mentioned might have turned out the same way, had it not been for the religious training she had received. A WARNING TO MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS.
My dear young sister, if it were your privilege to meet the girls I meet here each week, in this great city of Chicago, and hear their stories, you would certainly feel it to be your duty to learn to do practical work. Dear mothers, while you have an opportunity, won’t you, for the sake of your daughters, before they are thrown upon their own resources teach them the fundamental principles of housework, etc.? A great many girls who have left a life of sin and shame, on being asked what they can do, will say, “Would to God my mother had made me work. I am willing to learn now; but to tell you the truth, I do not know how to cook a meal. I do not know how to do housework.” These girls look upon housework as drudgery. The home can be a little heaven here on earth, if we will but let Christ come in and help us with the training of our children, and teach them to be willing to work. Many a story, just as true as this one, might be told; but we hope that these two experiences will serve to arouse every mother and daughter who reads them, to sense the importance and value of practical household education.