Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1864-05-04

---N-- w -At~'~ N-A- pe-A iva .''~N'
selves with which to endow our husbands.
No houses OF lands; no stocks from which
to draw an income; nothing substantial
on which to claim the right to be supper
ted in costly idleness. We must be rich
indeed, as to personal attractions
sWe are educated, accomplished, and
and
Alice was a little bewildeFed in thought
and did not finish the sentence.
Not better educated or accomplished,
as girls, than most Of the young men,
who as clerks, earn only from seven hun
dred to a thousand dollars a 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 equal
ity. They are our superiors.
Not by any means, replied Alice.
I'VE shall see. Here is Harry Pleas
ants, for instance. What is his income?
I think you mentioned the sum just
now.
Eight hundred dollars a year
THAT is the interest on-how much
-let.me see-about twelve thousand dol
lars. To be equal, as a match for Harry
then, you should be worth twelve thOus-
and dollarsp
How you talk, FannyP
ITO the point don't Il? five are not
superior to the young men who visit US
superior simply in virtue Of our sex
then our only claim to be supported in
idle self-indulgence must lie in the fact
that we endow our husbands with sufi-
cient worldly goods to warrant the con
ditiou.'
You are ingenious.
No. matter Of fact What have you
got TO say against my position. Alice?
Are We better than young men Of equal
intelligence and education?
No, I cannot say that We are.
IF we marry we must look among such
for husbands. Rich men, as a general
thing, select their wives from rich mems
daughters. Our chances in that direct
ton are not very encouraging. Your
fatber has 10 dowery for his child; nor
has mine. Their families are large and
expensive, and but 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
mueh to our credit that we are content to
lean upon our fathers, already STOPPING
under the burdens Of years, care and toll,
instead of supporting ourselves. The
| thought has troubled me Of late
\ sober hue came over the face of Al
ice, as she sat looking into the eyes Of
her friend She did not reply, and Fan
ny went on:
There IS wrong in this. On what
ground Of reason are we to be exempt
from the common lot Of useful work?
We expect to become wives and mothers
Is this our preparation? Can you bake
a loaf Of sweet, light bread?
No
Nor can I. Or roast sirloing
No
'Or broil a steak? Just think of it
Alice. We can manage a little useless
embroidery, or fancy knitting, can sing
and play, dance and chatter, but ao tc
the real and substantial things of life
we are ignorant and helpless. And with
all this, forsoOth, We cannot think of let
ting ourselves down to the level and con.
dition Of virtuous, intelligent young men
who in daily useful work are earning
fair independence. We are so superior
that we must have husbands able to sup
port US in luxurious idleness, or we mus
have none? We are willing to pass tn,
man to whom love would unite us in til,
tenderest bonds, because his income i
small, and marry for position one from
whom the soul turns with instinctiv,
aversion. Can We wonder that so man,
! are so unhappy
But eight hundred dollars, Fanny
How is it possible for a married coupI
to live in any decent style in this city OIL
eight hundred dollars a year?'
They may live in very comfortabl
style, if the wife is willing to perform he
part
What do you mean by her part, Fan
, ny?
I'VE will take it for granted that sh
is no better than her husband. Tha
, having brought him no fortune beyon
her own dear self, she cannot claim supc
= rIOr privileges.
'Wellp
{ lie has to work through all the day
.Weu?'
Under that equitable rule is she ez
omptT
No. She must DO her part, of oours
# there is anything to do it with. 81
must keep his house, if he can afford
n house. But if We have only eight hui
dred dollars a yearl Why rent aloI