The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1861-05-07
AUNT BETsEY ON wOMAN's RIGHTS

We had been talking Of "Woman's Rights,
one winter evening, in Aunt Betsey's room
talking girl fashion, but none tn less decd.
edly or enthusiastically, from the fact that it
was subject we kaew but little, but tancied
much about.
Al last Alice said, looking around to where
she sat.--her specs pushed up, and her
eyes fixed rather qnizzcally on us,-"what DO
you think about "Woman's Rights Aunt
BetscyN
"Well, girls" she said, after moments
pause, 'I can tell you just what | think, and
I've sort OF AN idea that it won't do you any
burt eithcr, seeing that I've seen moro Of the
worll than YOU have
"Why, Aunt" broke in Alice, ''you've new ,
er been out Of Saddlersville in your life, and
we've been to the Falls, and the Springs, and
over so many other places"
THAT may all be, lid; but talking about
"Woman's Rights.-hcr rights are in her
wor ), aint they ?-and her home is her world
isn't itl think may be, my DEAR hat
know as much about the falls and springs Of
that sort Of world as anybody-fal!s snd
springs Of that sort Of feeling, and love, and
temper, too"
1t was quito a sentimental speech for the
old lady, and she sat thinking Of it for a
moment, till We began to fidget in our
chairs.
81 suppose you all think" she began, at
last, that WHOM you're nnco iannohad tho
''Sea Of Matrimony," rs some Of them big
writer's tell about, you'll "bacono possessed
of your own inaienabe and individual rights,
and so on, but, girls, there's heap Of knowl-
ekge, that isn't to be found in your boardin'
schools and 'cademys, got TO be drilled into
your innocent heads yet.
"When. you get married, and leave your
mother, and sisters, and aun,s, to go tagging
after man that YOU pover see in his own
home whose shirt bosoms and sock heels
you never even thought of,-you'ro just
jumping off a precipico wi h your eyes blind.
ed and the land you pitch your tent in, af-
ter you've jumped, will have to have bless-
ell lot Of sunshine 10 it 10 keep your mind off
the little briars and sticks that catch hold Of
your dresses and tear your ankles"
It'll be all butter and honey at first, 10 be
sure, till just then, your wcddiu' tour will be
over, and the next thing will he TO get to
HHgeTr N%iShoat crying, VIII Vii tug up and down
stairs, and scrub, aud wash and sweep, 10 get
things in order, and maybe you'll think about
then that it's one OF your 'naicnable rights
to have a little help; but pretty soon in he'll
come,-out Of the air and sunshine, wide.
awake as can be,-and laugh at yon about
tho hooks burst off the back o! your dress,
looking round at things approvingy, and fl
nally throwing himself into the rocking chair
with the remark that he thinks he'll have n
clean shirt"
where is it my dear.' says he, and you'll
take your hands ont Of your dish water, as
meekly as though you hadn't an individual
right in the worll--go a trudgin' of upstairs
or somewhere, after it, shut the drawers rue
fu y on dozen that need patching, and hunt
half an hour for a needle 10 sew on button
with.
"Thats the beginning of your rights, and
though yoa may get what fylks call 'one Of
tho best of men that ever was, and YOU love
him like pizen,' as some ono says, there'll be
dozen times evory day that he'll tread one
of your right, under his heel, and another un-
der his toe; and you'll Il ok the other way
like enough grease the boots he does it with.
Ju.t YOU tako my adyc1, girls, and don't
say anything more about your rights, for
you'll be pretty likely TO 'haul in your col
ors,' when The time comes, and woman's fate
with il.
I'm sure don't know whether we'ro born
so or not but sensible women, that have got
to be as old as l am, arc pretty apt 10 think
it's better to put up with few less rights, for
the sake Of lille more PEACE