Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-11-11
BY r. s. ARTHUR.

washing and ironing, I believe. Fathers in
come was not over three or four hundred dol
lars year"
And they were happy together, 1 am sure ~
'No doubt. In fact I've heard mother say
that the first hard struggling years of their
life were among the happiest she has known.
But that doesn't signify for me. That is no
reason why her daughter should elect to go
into the kitchen, and spend her years in wash
ing, ironing and cooking. If a man isn't able
to support wife genteelly, and in the style to
which she has been accustomed, let him marry
some Irish cook, sewing girl or washerwoman,
who will manage his household with the need
ed economy. Young men who can't earn more
than eight hundred or q thousand dollars a
year should not look into our circles for wives -
- don't like to hear you talk in this way
Alice, said her companion. 1--WE are not
superior beings, but only the equals of the
men"
Did say we were, superior ?"
lone might infer from your language that
you thought So"
Il don't see how the Inference can fairly be
drawn"
Our circle for wives, yeu said just now"
"What did you mean by it,"
"a circle of intelligence, refinement, taste,
and cultivation" replied Alice.
You don't say wealth"
"Ns. My father, though living in good
style, is not rich. have heard him say more
than once, that we were living up to our in
come"
Then, we have our own sweet selves with
which to endow our husbands. No houses or
lands; no stocks from which to draw an in
come; nothing substantial on which to claim
the right Of being supported in costly idleness
We must be rich, indeed, as to personal sttrac-
tions."
eve are educated and accomplished, and
and"
Alice was not little bewildered in thought,
and did not finish the sentence.
Z" Not better educated or accomplished as
girls, than are most of the young men, who, as
clerks, earn only from seven hundred to a
thousand dollars year. In this regard we are
simply their equals. But, it strikes me, that,
in another view of the case, We cannot claim
even an equality. They are our superiors."
mot by any means" replied Alice
I'VE shall see. Here is Harry Peasants
for instance. What is his income I think Won
mentioned the sum just now"
Eight hundred dollars a year"
" That is the interest on-hOw much ?-let
nae see-about twelve thousand dollars. To be
equal as a match for Harry, then, you should
be worth twelve thousand dollars"
" How you talk, Fanny, ="
q To the point. don't I! If we are not supe-
rior to the young men who visit US, superior
simply in virtue Of our sex, then our only claim
20 be handsomely supported in idle self-induI-
husbands with sufficient worldly goods to war
rant the condition"
"You are ingenious"
'No, matter of fact. What have you to say
against my position, Alice? Are we better
than young men Of equal intelligence and edu-
cation p"
mo, 1 cannot say that we are"
II We marry, we must look upon these for
husbands. Rich men, as q ageneralthing, select
their wives from rich mems daughters. Our
chances in that direction are not very encour-
aging. Your father has no dOwry for his child
nor has mine. Their families are large and
expensive, and little or nothing Of the years
income Is left at the years close. The best
they can do for US is to give us homes; and I
feel that it is not much to our credit that we
are content to lean sn our fathers, already
STOPPING under the burden of years, care and
toll, instead OF supporting ourselves. The
thought has troubled me Of late''
sober hue came over the face of Alice, as
she sat looking into the eyes of her friend.
She did not reply, and Fanny went on.
There is wrong in this. On what ground
of reason are We to be>exempt from the COM
mon lot Of useful work? We expect to become
wives and mothers. Is this our preparation g?
Can you bake loaf of sweet, light bread ?'
"Nor can I. Or roast sirloin?"
"No"
"or broil steak? Just think of it. Alice :
We can manage a little useless embroidery, or
fancy knitting; can sing and play, dance and
chstter-but as to the real and substantial
things Of life, We are ignorant and helpless
And with all this, forsooth, We cannot think
Of letting ourselves down to the level and con-
dition Of virtuous and intelligent young men,
who, In daily useful work, are earning a fair
independence We are so superior that we
must have husbands able to support Us in lux
urious idleness, or We will have none. We are
willing to pass the man to whom love would
unite us in the Nnderest bonds, because his
income Is small, and marry for position one
from whom the soul turns with instructive 9
aversion. Can We wonder that 80 many are
unhappy"
But eight hundred dollars, Fanny, How
Is it possible for q married couple to live in
any decent style, in this city, on eight hun
dred dollars year ?"
They may live in q very comfortable STYLE,
if the wife is willing to perform her part"
"Whst do you mean by her part, Fanny 2'
"We will take 1t for granted that she Is no
him no fortune beyond her dear self, she can
not claim superior privileges.
"WelI"
"Hs has to work through all the day"
"Well?" -
"Under what equitable rule is she exempt"
"None. She must do her part, of course, If
there is anything TO do with. She must keep
his house, If he can afford house. But If We
have only $500 year. Why, rent alone would
consume half or more than half Of that There
would he no housekeeping In the case. They
must board" fr
"And the wife sit in idleness all the day
long"
"Shs would have nothing To do.''
;" Could she not tesehl or by aid of sewing
machine earn few dollars every week? or
engage In some other useful work that would
yield in income, and so do her part"
"Yes, she might do something Of the kind
but II marriage is TO make tworkies' of us, it
were better to remain SINGLE H.
And live In unWom anfy dependeuse on our