Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-10-21
ROOM UP STAIRS.
Il there any Up Stairs for Women?

Is thers any Up Stairs for Women,
A young girl stood upon the
threshold of life, asking vaguely
amid the rush and turmoil of this
busy world: what is left for me to
do?' She was possessed of sound
mind in a sound body, willing
hands, cheerful heart, and a good
education. by brain-work or hand
work, she must make this world
yield her daily bread-food for mind
and body. She felt a quenchless
yearning for the highest develop
ment of all the powers God had
given her, and looked about eagerly
for her lite-work. Accepting the
best that offered, she became a
teacher.
Through disappointments and
discouragements she worked on
bravely and checrfully, never turn
ing aside from the chosen path on
account of 'lions in the way or
| mountains OF ulncultN.
There was one obstacle to her
success which she could not remove;
and that was the difference in the
salaries received by herself and the
men with whom she was associated.
| A woman told her that this state OF
things arose from mans monopoly
of all the good things of this life,
and that the only remedy is the en-
franchisement Of woman. Feeling
a sovereign pity for this woman,
who could not be content in the
sphere in which God had placed
her, she sought elsewhere for the
cause of her trouble. \ man quoted
Daniel Webster to her; There is
room enough up stairs. If you
would receive better wages, fit your
self for higher position. Do you
not see that you are surrounded by
an incompetent host? Come up high
er.'
She had long lamented the fact
that so many of her sister teachers
worked on from year to year in a
groove, neither improving their own
minds nor learning better methods
for the development of those en-
trusted to them. She knew that
many of them were deserving OF
pity more than blame, because the
time employed by gentleman teach
crs for rest and recreation must be
used by them in sewing or house
work, on account of their small sal.
aries.
She determined to find place sup
stairs if untiring efforts would Sc
cure it. Her days were spent in
school, and much of the night over
her books. Time and money were
spent in visiting first-class schools,
studying the best methods of school
government, and the simplest and
cIcarest way Of imparting instruc-
ton. After long months of toll, she
feels and knows that she is master
of her work, and looks for the re-
ward of her labors.
The highest situation that offered
was that of first assistant in village
school. The principal "a student OF
nineteen summers), out of defer
ence, we suppose, to her superior
age and experience, took the rccita-
ton room intended for her, thus
leaving all the unruly boys in her
charge, and giving her the advanced
classes, which he could not teach.
She received less than half the sal
ary paid him, and out of that pit
tance the janitor's fee was paid. So
well was the school governed that
not a case Of discipline occurred
during the term. And yet the board
of education in that village gave as
an excuse for not employing lady
principal, that woman can't man
age the big boys
Burning with righteous indigna.
ton, she left tho village at the end
of her first engagement, and applied
for a similar situation in another
town. TO her surprise, soon after
her application was presented, she
was waited upon by the president
of the board, who informed her tha,
upon strict inquiries they had dis
covered that she was competent to
conduct the school herself. Would
she consent to do this? Her hear,
beat with JOY. She had reached the
'room up stairs' She was to be the
first female principal of public
school in her noble State-Iowa
Filled with this thought, and thank
ful that her efforts were to be crown
ed with success, she did not think
of the remuneration, until asked
what pay she expected?
what is usually given to persons
doing the same work!' was the re
ply.
But you must remember that yor
are Il woman, and this is an expert
ment,' said he. 'We thought, as W.
ran great risk in employing you
that titty-five dollars per montl
would be sufficient
is that what you have been pay
ing?' she asked.
ooh no. We paid the man WI
had last year seven hundred dollar:
for six months. We only propose t.
employ you three months at the rat'
| have mentioned. If you succeed
your salary will be raised at the enc
of that time
Though sadly in need Of none!
Gt was a principle for which sh'
was working) she would show thes'
men that they ran no risk when the.
employed her, SO she accepted th'
place on the terms proposed.
Three months passed quickly
The school had been success. Th'
board informed her that such cntir'