Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-10-22
THE TEST OF SUCCESS.
BY GAIL HAMILTON.

WI Ao WILMA a Ahst4 WAh 1Ot w Wv
ter for having woman at Lis side
That, too, I dispute. There is no
work which a man will not do bet
ter for having woman awaiting
him at home but there are few
men, and, indeed, few women, who
can stand constant association. 1t
is the alienation of day and night
that makes both pleasant and even
tolerable. 1t is the temporary Sc
paration that gives zest and even
worth to companionship. Is man
better or happier for having a
woman holding the pillow, or swing
ing the AK, or pegging the shoe, or
hammering the anvil beside him
than for thinking of her, tidy and
fresh and bright at home Is the
true ideal OF home one where the
man and the woman shall both be
out i'll the world at work, and the
house left empty and silent? That
is no home mt all. The mothers
presence in the house is not the fiat
OF tyranny or prejudice, but the
natural craving of the heart. Do
you say that her life there is often
but martyrdom--that she is as
heated and hurried in her kitchen
as her husband in his bayfield,, and
gets but begrulged 1.-THE OF his
wages? l know it Thousand times;
but let us not, therefore, get her out
of the frying-pan into the FIRE, at
any wages whatever, still less ut e.
tirely uncertain ones. What I want
is, TO take her from both friyng-pan
and fire, into peace Of mind, and
tranquility of nerve, and perfect
physical comfort. But / must con-
Tess that, even with the discompo-
sure, anxiety, and overwork too
often found, home ID more home
with the mother out. l blame no
woman for leaving it. If she has
partially or wholly to support her
self or her children, it is for herself
to choose the mode, nor shall the
way be fairly blocked to any honest
work; but it is only the least Of two
or of many evils. 1t is not the
greatest good. Men as yet heed
some help to their Imagination.
There remains still room for little
illusion. 1t is better for men, it is
better for women, that each some
what idealize the other. Much il
lost when life has lost its atmos-
phere, and is reduced to naked
facts. The most real relation be-
tween man and woman involves
somewhat of wOnderment and mys-
terry, leaves ever something to be
OWNED. discovered and defective
as society may be. the most perfect
trades union of the sexes that the
philosophic brain ever devised will
not SO nearly compass their real
unity rs has been comprised by the
blind instincts of the generations.
The one is clever device; but it is
q device, and cannot hold. The
ether is a hindered but healthy
growth; but it is q growth, and
growth means life, and life prevails.
We speak often Of results as If
they were immediate and indis-
putable. We quote Judge Howe's
letter from Wyoming as if that
were conclusive regarding the Of
fects of female suffrage. In two
or three years, after the novelty is
over, all will be quiet, and We shall
marvel ut the agitations Of the past
But two or three years, and two OF
three generations will hardly settle
! it. Whoever realizes how radical
is the contemplated change viii moi
fail to see that only the slow growth
OF character can attest success OF
failure. 1t is not whether a woman
shall or shall not be justice of the
peace; it is whether the plane Of
national life shall be higher. 1t is
pleasant to know that half dozen
female jurors were dignifed and
. decorous, conscientious and reso-
lutte, and that lawyers and others
were courteous to them; but l; u
not surprising. Americas wo1ei'