The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1874-02-05
WHAT CAN WOMEN DOp
BY MRS. NJ A. FREEMAN.

I
The oldest of these was twenty six, the
youngest seventeen. In some of the
heather countries it is considered
misfortune when girl is born. Solo
mon Browns mind may have been col
ored with this heathenism though he
owned pew in the church aud cor
tributed conscientiously to its donations
for be shook his head in solemn dis
approval as his family increased, declar-
ing that girls were, aud had been since
the world began, failure.
Dear little Mrs. Brown emphatically
declared her skepticism as to this broad
assertion, saying. with some spirit, THAT
the girls could not be dispensed with, and
as the Great Father had seen fit to create
them, it must have been with the con
sciousness that they might be pronounced
good. Of course they were good" She
would just ask Mr. Brown what there was
that might be said truthfully in disparage
ment of their own children?
"If they were boys, Lucy" said Brown,
footing up dry goods bill, "they would
be self supporting. If, for instance,
Matilda had been named Solomon-aud
eldest 10 our family for generations-she
or he rather, might have learned trade,
aud would now be able not only to care
for himself but to render needful assis
tance to his family. l am sure l never
blamed Betsey Trotwood, though l don't
understand her, that she couldn't forgive
David for not being girl, have never
forgiven one Of my girls that they dis
appointed me-"
"Dear me, Solomon, I am sure the girls
are doing the best they can. Matilda is
very good dresspaker-"
"Bosh !" cries Solomon, impatiently,
''the country is overrum with dress
makers. / tell you all this feathers
fuss and hummery is running us-that is
the people. Don't you understand every
additional girl is an additional burden to
some one? How much do you suppose,
Lucy, paid out for ribbons last year
Only one hundred dollars"
''But, my husband, there were FIVE of
the girls, you know, not counting my"elf,
and that makes twenty dollars only, for
each. | am sure that isn't e1trayegant
at all. There's Deacon Smarts Sallie
paid that much for one Roman sash. Our
girls are very handy about turning their
things, and fxing them up as good as .ew
There were ouly twenty four yards in the
dears dresses this spring-that is in the
dres. of each-whilc Mrs. Million used
thirty FIVE, and | must say that our girls
were much the prettiest."
"And would have been prettier still if
they had been made out of eight" growl
ed Solomon, desperately footing up the
accounts again.
Figures are obstinate facts. Solomon,
in facing the sum total of united columns,
beanie an obstionate man.
81 tell, you, Lucy, we cant go on in
this way, that's certain. Something must
be done. Why don't they got married p
But that was useless question, for this
was New England State, aud there were
several thousand more women than men,
and as one man was allowed only one wife,
it was quite impossible that all could be
provided with husband.
Dear me, Solomon" said the little
wife, smiling humorously, "you forget
that this isn't Utah-that there is &C.
tually no one to whom we may seal the
darlipgs that you, yourself, would quite
disapprove Of their going husband hunt
ing"
Now, while Solomon had been talking
thus complsiningly and confdentially to
his wife, his five unappreciated daughters
had been listening from the next room.
"The old bear" cried Matilda, the
oldest, under her breath
"Poor papa" said Lucy, the youngest
her blue eyes full of tears.
"Poor papa, indeed" snapped out the
second sister II do believe he begrudges
US the birds allowance which we eat"
"Bird's allowance ! Josephine. I'm
sure there isn't heartier family of girls
in this country than ours. No canary.
portion would do for me-of that I'm
sure. l do think it shame that five
great girls, as able to work as We are
should depend upon one little, broken
down man for their support. Come, now
Sija, isn't it ridiculous Don't you
think that we ought to do something I"
"Im sure" Matilda said, that have
been trying just the best that knew
how. You know bought the machine
an6 then-then-"
"Well," Lucy said. laughing, "poor
papa had to make the payments on it.
I'm sure couldn't help that, because
| had expected to get plenty of sewing
to do, and sewing, you Soc"
"Is drug in the market. No, 'Tilda
and Josephine, and Sarah, and Flora, al
of those pretty, traditional ways of a wo
mau turning an honest penny are out o
date. I've been thinking this over, ant
I've made up my mind. Come, girls
will you stand by me? Have you th'
courage to lay aside your dainty slippers
. to encase yoar feet in heavy shoes, to lie
the sun kiss brown freckles on your face
| in fact-to wear bloomer 7"
"a bloemsr p the four cied together.
eyes, my dears, for Of course the worl
4 e.. do IT,