Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-05-16
NO. l16.
Misfellansous.
USEFUL GIRLS AND WOMEN.

As look at the words at the top OF
my, as yet, unwritten page, fancy that
some pert miss will toss her dainty head,
and audibly wish that "some folks would
not give themselves so much uneasiness
about the usefulness of Others" For
somehow the idea has become prevalent,
and is still gaining ground, that knowl-
edge Of that branch of woman's work
called housework is but a lack of educa-
ton and good breeding. What blessing
it would be if we had a sufficlency of Mar.
tha Washingtons to dispel such erroneous
ideas. Now, girls, | don't pretend to say
that womans only ambition must be to
possess knowledge of housework. No,
indeed ! You may have just as many other
accomplishments as you desire but, be-
cause you understand the latest new polka
and song, and are skilled in the intrica-
cies of the German" it does not follow
that you have not calibre enough for any,
thing else.
You have plenty of room for all these
things, and a world of useful knowledge
besides. There is not particle of danger
OF any one knowing too much; and no
woman is capable of managing house of
her own, until she has a thorough knowl-
edge OF this one branch of female labor.
Without this, she is not capable of dis
eliminating between good servant and
poor one. Unless she knows what is re-
qulred in the composition of the dishes on
her table, she little knows what her in
come can afford. She must depend solely
on domestics, and woe is unto house.
hold that is governed by domestics alone
But too many of us are under bondage
to pair of lily-white hands. In every
woman's heart there is little secret cor
ner devoted to the admiration of a per-
tectly beautiful hand; it is coveted as
much and possibly more than matchess
face and form. Now, you need not neces-
sarlly wholly sacrifice this pet weakness;
II you are careful, and do not expose your
self TO sun and wind without the protec-
ton OF = pair of thick gloves, you will on
y be obliged to relinquish little of the
velvety soitness of your palms, in return
for which you will be able to acquire an
accumulation Of knowledge that will many
times repay you for your sacrifice for
what is there that renders a woman'S
hand so strikingly beautiful as its ability
to tendcrly minister to the wants of a ST.
lent sufferer, or competently prepare
the deIicacies required in the sick chamber?
don't know why it is that women of
average intelligence entertain the idea
that this feature of usefulness savors of
something coarse and uncultvated, that
to be regarded as refined and accomp-
lished, they must be destitute of any really
useful requirements, and lead sort of
doll life, with no higher aspirations than
to excite that kind of admiration with
which we regard n beautiful picture,
which has nothing to recommend it FAR
ther than its ability to please the eye Of
the beholder. Now, there is nothing
which so strongly recommends woman
as the fact that she moves in "a sphere of
usefulness, and is not wholly dependent
on the caprices of others. She may pos
sess that selt-relant, stand-on yOur-own-
basis principle, which does not hesitate
to admit that she is her own dress
maker, or cook ii need be, but it does not
establish coarse, uncultivated manner;
neither does it rob her of that clinging
tenderness which is the prevailing char
acterlstic OF every true woman but it i'm
parts 10 the lenderyine additional strength
with which to shield the sturdy oak from
the tempest of adversely
Now, girls in conclusion, | would say,
don I be ashamed to say, Il know how to
work; labor is not degrading but if
there is anything in the world of which
which we ought to be ashamed, it is the
possible fact that we are absolutely worth
less.-Graee HazelWood, IN american
Farm journal.