Peggy Ann Speaks.
Dear Editor:--Will you allow a sister woman to express her sympathy through your paper? I feel assured that you will, for I know your heart's warmest interests are in The welfare and moral character of our rising generation; and you will not fail to appreciate kindly sympathies and advice given for such a purpose. And now a few words to dear Mrs. Porter:
Dear Lady--I was so gratified at your outburst of appreciation and thankfulness for that great Intellectual Feast in our midst--better known as the R. R. R. C.--that I could not refrain from telling you that letter echoed the sentiments of many hearts. But, dear Mrs. Porter, knowing as I do that you are one of those true, self-sacrificing women, willing to do the utmost for the welfare of husband and children, allow me to remark that I fear you are wronging your little one when you keep him at home to assist you in dragging your wood from the swamp. In ancient Greece it was the custom for the youth of the nation to sit in the presence of their elders, that they might learn wisdom, which fell like dew from the lips of men.
Dear Mrs. Porter, I know it will be hard for a sickly woman to get the wood alone out of the swamp, but consider the future of your little son. How can you hope for him to ever occupy the White House, at Washington, if you keep him away from the Reform Club? Let him go my dear; no matter about his clothing--what if it is shabby? what is the clothing of the body compared to the clothing of the mind? Let him go and sit in the company of his august father and the learned ones who gather there; let him drink wisdom like nectar as it pours forth from their lips. What matter, dear, if we wear ourselves out feeding pigs, cleaning stables, cutting wood, and patching rags, if the future generation only rise up and call us blessed?
Adieu, Mrs. Porter, for the present, and may the assurance of the heartfelt sympathy of a sister in affliction and thankfulness, brace you for your future labors. Yours, truly,
Peggy Ann.
Harrisville, February 18, 1878.