Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1848-09-07
MARYNsBURG BERKELEY VIRGINIA. MORNING. sPTEMBER

Then, 100, from out their workshop windows,
thoughhe ch,nks and erannes other miserable iodg
ings, cur poor workers see how gaily the busy and
seeming Joyous world goes 0n-how every one appears
TO have hope in his eye and elasticity in his step Nor
can they fail TO mark among the passing throng man
women not more beautiful Than themselves whom
perhaps they have well known fellow workers
who go Haunting idly along gay and costly robes,
receiving the siealthy smiles and admiration of the
lords OF creation who follow skulkng after till they
turn down some dark corner and with the outlay of
smile and seductive word secure their victim. They
want for nothing-they live in laxury--ther white
hands look fair and delicate from want of employment
eyes seem to sparkle with health and their forms
are rounded and elastic with generous fare and absence
oil toll. lssuTprsiBg that poor workers, looking
out from their rags and squald poverty and starvation
upon all this, should forget (wha perhaps they have
never been informed Of the horror, the agony the des
pair, the disease, the madness, which the neviia
BILE future Of the courtezan2 and that many OF them
should, alas desire 70 be like her asl.a8 s.sa
But we are renchng npon somewhat broader
ground than had intended TO occupy in these un-
pretending sketches and find ourselves in contact with
that great and terrible question, the Causes of Pros
tuion-a question which none has yet mad the cour-
age 70 answer. Our object IS simply 10 present
view Of large and unfortunate class of females
surrounded with all the trials and temptations which
beset them-eaving the reader 10 draw his own con-
clusons. Having done this, with what little power
Of pen Inning we possess we will take advantage Of
the occasion to solemny warn young women in the
sire OF coming the city seek their fortunes by la
bor II they could, we have done, attend day after
day the bar OF the Police Court read the dock
ct oil the naumerable of heart brokenness desc
laton and crime thai there appear-or hearfrom their
own hps The history OF the wretched creatures who
people the nnumerable dens Of infamy that abound in
the meropolis-they would learn this irightful
truth: That more than half and female
criminals IN The City here from The country TO
earn living lnasone honestway, and 10 crafty an
innocent longing for little female tnery and pass
ion TO 'see the worldo The sad story is ever ever
The same--frs desulution, then absolute want: and
hunger, then turned out OF doors houseess and home
less, offered the dreadful alternative of prostitution
Young Woman !---if you indeed real Woman
and no innate demon assuming angelic form Of
purity the better to carry bells work earfh-mark
well our warning! Stay calmly where you are, be-
meath your pure skies and amid the vrtuous fresh
ness Of your home, no matter how humble il may be-
Work-spin-dig--tlll the soil-do anything viruous
that will earn you bread--and mere bread is not so ve
ry difficult 10 get in the country! But as you value
your mortal purity and the welfare of your immortal
soul. come MOTTO the City, 10 lose yourself in the boil
lng seethng caudron OF ceniousneSs that RACES for
here. II you have intellect too active to be
satisfied with the dull routine OF country life, read
and improve your mind by study and mature your
heart by contemplation II you have aspirations for
the beautiful surround yourself with flowers and teach
birds and gentle creatures to be your paymates and
companions endear yourself 10 all the little children
in the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS the grand and noble
ambition, the only worthy of Woman's SOUL of
rendering yourself necessary 10 your fellow creatures
within the natural reach OF your sphere, and OF adding
something 10 the beauty OF this beautiful EARTH of
which God has made you the brightest and most pre-
eious blessing. Thus may you, poor and humble
though you be- fill your life with gentle Joy that
sha bring health and happiness to cheek and eyes and
surround your innocent pillow with celestial dreams.