Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1859-02-09


very lucid explanation, but 1 cannot
say fully understand and appreciate it.
But if men, in their strength, and
courage, and independence, areenviable,
men in their gentleness are irresistible.
You expect it in women. 1t is their at
tribute and characteristic. You do not
admire its presence so much as you de-
plore or condemn its absence. But man.
ly tenderness has peculiar charm. 1t
is the wild ivy shooting over the battle
ments of some old feudal castle, lending
grace to solidity, yelling strength with
beauty. And you meet it everywhere
in the house and by the wayside, in the
city and country, under broadcIoth and
homespun. The best seat, the finest
stand point, the warmest corner, is not
only offered but urged upon woman.
you may travel from one end of the coun-
try to he other, and meet not only civ
ility, but the most cordial and consider
ate kindness. You may be as ugly as it
is possible for virtue to be, and tired, and
travel stained. and stupid. and your
neighbor of day will show you all the
little attentions you could claim from a
father or brother. He will place his
vslise for your footstool and his shawl
for your pillow, open or close your win
dow blind at every turn of the road.
point out every object of interest. explain
everything you don't understand. and do
thousand things to make your journey
pleasant. The toughest laborer will step
out ankle deep in the "slosh" to give
you firm footing and if you have the
decency to thank him. his good -natured
face will light up with as proud smile
as if you were doing him the greatest ia
vor in the world. When a carpenter
drags the heavy old road gate, which he
has just unhinged TO mend. half dozen
rods. to lay it across mud puddle that
a woman. to whom he never spoke befor e,
and probably never will again, may pass
over dry shod, it is false to say that the
age of chivalry is gone. Talk of Sir
Walter Raleigh's gallantry /; Say rather
his shrewdness. Surely his was the most
economical use to which cloak was ever
put. What wonderful politeness was
there in risking few ysrds of plush to
win the smile of sovereign whose smiles
were money and fame, and troops oi
friends 2"
am aware that this universal polite
ness has passed under the ban of certain
of my sex who are pleased to consider and
designate it as "doll treatment, and re-
sent it accordingly. They ask no favors,
despise condescensions, and demand dues.
Very well. They are doubtless consci-
entious. II thought as they do, I am
grateful for the "small sweet courtesies
of hfe," though can't vote. Without
granting mans justice in Withholding
rights, 1 yet have n ever present con-
seiousness of imbecilily, which makes me
shrink from claiming them. l consider
myself lucky whenever sensible, intel
ligent man condescends to talk to NE in
earnest of anything that inter, SITS him.
Don't suppose me "umble." Quite the
contrary. 1 say these things myself
with perfect nonchalance and in good
faith, but should like to see the man.
woman, or child, that would dare to say
them 10 me. used the term coadescsnd,
but from my own stand point never
see man think he condescends to a wo-
man. without feeling an itching desire to
take him between my thumb and finger,
and give him twirl that shall send him
spinning down the ringing grooves" Of
whatever street he happens to be on.
Even it were Tue-if the aforemention.
ed courtesy were kind of quid pro duo
"A superAuiiy given for an essential tax
Ing away Roland of kindness. thrust
upon US for an Oliver of right. fraudu-
lently kept back-Uhy--I am afraid ]
must make the ignoble confession that |
l-believe-I like the Roland better than
the Oliver, that is, if we can't have both
-ifrights precludecourtesy. Itis.pleas.
anter, or, as Englishmen would say,
'.jollier," to sit by the fesh-pots of Egypt,
than to starve legally in the promised
land. Women would better improve the
rights they have a little more, before 60
ing mad alter others that they know not
of. II seems to me that have business
enough en- my hands now to occupy three
persons at least and if men ,riH be so
good as to do the law making, and stock
jobbing. and tribing, and quarrelling,
and stnmp speaking, / will be greatly
obliged to them. Il will give them EN-.
ployment, and take them off our hands
for a good part of the day, which is very
convenient. As the big man said, when
asked why he let his little wife beat him,
"It amuses her, and it don't hurt me" +"
This is not at all heroic, know and
suppose if there was the least probatil.
Iity that anything would ever come of it,
could work myself up to the proper
pitch of indignation, and perfer a crust
of bread and the right of suffrage 10 en-
joying the pleasures of slavery for sea-
son. But Plato says it is an awful gift Of
the gods that We can become used 10