Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-04-11

Freedom ~
Mr.. Jenkins stared uneasily.
81 suppore you are in the habit of seeing
that paper,' said Matilda.
ssNo,'' said he, stiffly.
s'Ah you don't know what you lose. Com
posed and edited entirely by females But,
perhaps
Matilda interrupted herself to ring the bell.
stJane," said she to the servant, s'you may
go mp stairs and bring down a manuscript,
which you will find on my table,
ga what, ma'am 20
ssA manuscript sheet of paper with wri-
ting on it. Poor Jane,' she continued, after
her servant had gone out, ssshe would not be
so ignorant, if man had not denied to us wo-
men the advantages of education which he
| claims for himself"
| BY this time Jane had returned with the
manuscript.
eff you would like, Mr.. Jenkins, will read
| you what have wrtten.''
Mr.. Jenkins looked dsmayed, but managed
to utter a feeble, s'Oh, certainly ~
| Matilda, in very emphatic manner, began
| to read as follows:
ssMRs. EDITOR Permit me again to raise
my voice, in trumpet tones, against the de-
| spotic rule of man over our down trodden sex.
/ Enlightened, we are supposed to consider
| the present generation, is it not a disgrace,
and burning shame, that men should monop-
! olIze all the Offices of honor and profit, and
|
| in point of intellect-only few undesirable
and laborious posts. What, say, is the rea-
| son that men should take upon themselves to
| govern, and expect us meekly to submit to
the yoke which they seek to impose upon us?
| Why should we not see female president IN
| the chair of state, and"
s'This is all had written, Mr. Jenkins, when
you came," said Matilda, breaking off from
the reading. 'sYou will easily understand the
idea that was about to develop; and, l have
no doubt, you will agree with me-"
''Do you really think, Miss Parker, that
there should be no distinction in point of
cupation between men and women ?'' cXclaim-
ed the sedate Stephen, horror struck.
| ssWhy should there be ~ said Matilda with
| spirit. ssDo you doubt whether woman has
an intellect equal to that man 20
| 'Is there female Shakespeare 7'' asked Mr..
Jenkins.
eYes,'' said Matilda, promptly. ssDd you
never read Mrs. Browning's poems 20
'sI can't say have,'' returned Stephen.
"Ah, then, shall have the pleasure of ma
| king you acquainted with her.
| She rang the bell.
s.Jane,'' said she, ego up to my room and
bring down the book you will find on the table,
| Jane did SO.
/ ssWe have an hour before dinner, it seems,'
said Matilda, looking at her watch-s'In what
way can we better improve it than by perusing
together this noble monument of genius ~
! Mr.. Jenkins looked terrified but before he
had time to raise any objections Matilda had
! commenced.
| She read aloud faithfully for the hour re-
| ferred tot seemed three hours to the un-
| happy Stephen-who had not the slightest APP
prehenson of poetry of any description.
| He was quite delighted when the dinner
bell rang, and SO was Matilda in her secret
! heat.
81 am afraid,'' said she, sswe shall have to
rest from our reading till after dinner, but by
| commencing Immediately afterwards we may
| get quarter through by tea time"
"How many pages are there in the poem ?''
the young man inquired, hesitatingiy.
ssOnly little more than four hundred,''
| was the encouraging reply.
! The dinner proved to be a not very social
meal. Matilda confined herself entirely to lit
erary subjects, and evaded all attempts to
change the topic.
ssGood gracious' thought the young man,
ssand this is the young girl was to marry.
| I'd as marry a dictionary, although she
is pretty but then strong minded woman
[ should be talked to death in less than a
month";
| Stephen Jenkins stopped two days but, at
the end of that time, announced that he should
not be able to remain longer. During that
time the poor man had heard more poetry
than ever before in his lie, and had conceived
deadly hatred against the whole tribe of fe-
male authoresses, particularly Mrs. Browning.
ssWhere is Mr.. Jenkins ?'' inquired Mr.. Par.
ker on his return.
| ssGone, uncle,'' said Matilda.
ssGone When did he go!''
ssIIe only stopped couple OF days.
ssWhy he was to have stopped week. What
was the matter with him ?''
II think, uncle, he was disappointed in
me-" said Matilda, demurely.
s.Did he leave no message for mel?
s'Here is note, uncle.''
Mr.. Parker hastily broke open the missive,
and read as follows:
ssMY DEAR SIR In order to prevent mis-
understanding, L ought to say that don't
think it will be well to adhere to the foolish
compact, which was entered into some time
| since, in regard to my marriage with your
niece. Though very charming young lady,
don't think that our tastes at all congo
| NAL, and l hereby remove any pretensions |
may be supposed to have had to her hand.
Regretting not to have had the pleasure of
seeing you. l remain, very respectfully,
sSsTEPHEN JENKINs.'
eWhy, the puppy has had the audacity to
remove his pretension to your hand !" cX-
claimed the indignant uncle.
ssThen can't be married ?'' inquired Ma
tilda, in comical disappointment.
ssYes, you shall marry the first man that Of
fers.''
1t was very remarkable that on the very
next day Edward Manly should have asked
Mr.. Parker's permission to address his niece
"a permission which was at once accorded.
The marriage took place within q few weeks,
and don't think he has ever repented marry
ing strong minded icomGn
Rev. DR.. Kelly, q Romish Priest, has been
committed to Jail for contempt of court, in
England, in refusing to expose certain secrets
<f H. pir al