Smyrna times., 1876-05-10
What Superhuous Women are
Doing.


A little woman's wisdom would help the
other sex greatly, if such wisdom could
only be impaired to the stubborn men,"
The phrase "superfuous women" F." has
created great Indignation among the per-
sons thus libelled. And it is no wonder,
for if the truth is fairly stated it will be
found that there are more "superhuities .
among men than women, when dull times
are the rule and labor or employment IS hard |
TO obtain. Men congregate in the streets,
on corners, or in public houses, or at the |
best have to lounge at their business places, |
and-to come down to a colloquial phrase
made famous by the lamented and laments
ing though sanguine Mr.. Micawber-wait
for something to turn up" But things
oftener turn down than up to those who
fancy they can wait, while the ceaseless
revolution goes on all round them. When
people talk of stagnation," it is often
themselves who stagnate, and think, like
the inebriate Joe Miller, of merry fame,
that all the rest of the world is tipsy and
they alone are sober.
Meanwhile what are the "superfuous
women doing? They are eking out the
halfloaf, to make it serve on the principle
that half loaf is better than no bread.
They are taxing their capacity for frugality
70 the utmost, and converting discarded
bits into useful ends; utilizing shreds, and
piecing patches into whole cloth. The
conservative industry of women during the
DAYS and months when their husbands and
brothers are in limited employment, or
without any occupation, is something to be
admired. This native prudence, a thing of
intuition, is one Of the characteristics
which happily distinguish the "weaker y
sex from the stronger" and tempts one tc
say that the application of the terms should
be reversed. For a proof of the better
managing" power of woman, we need
only refer to the contrast between cases o
families of halforphans, when the fathe
or mother is removed by death. Tn
widow will somehow " rear her brood t.
take fair positions in life. The widowe
often gives up the contest with adversit
at the beginning. In what the "som'
tow" consists it might take many word
TO describe. But anyhow" it does exis
as everybody knows, and as men prominer
in every walk of life could testify, simpl
by relating their own experience.
This capacity Of women for getting O
under difficulties, made public rather tina
developed by widowhood, really exists, an
is in exercise all the time. Business diff
eulties or improvidence or sickness or b'
habits in husbands cause many wives to
in worse condition than widows. Tn
have all the difficulties Of widowhood, wi
the encumbrance Of "superfiuous mi
superaHded; and, being wives with livi
husbands, have not the advantages
sympathy which help the widow. T
purpose Of this article is not to make u
less complaints Of things as they are, but
set here and there "superhuous " man
thinking. If times change, men mi
change with them or, in other words
circumstances alter, they must adapt the
selves to circumstances. If a dollar cam
be earned, earn half, or even quart
and, above all, spend nothing for sup
huitiesabove your earnings. Adoptwoma
prudence and practise her diligence,
the problem of meeting hard times is m
than half solved.
OF course, with those who have MOI
hard times give the very opportunity
II use it, Both economy and humanity te
this lesson-economy, because, in
absence Of demend, both labor and mate
rule lower; humanity, because wages
N the very best, indeed the only perman
BB means Of relief to the necessitous. Gener
III expenditure by those who have money,
II industry and prudence on the part Of IL
= who earn their living by their occupati
are the true sources of prosperity W
times are prosperous, and offer, so fal
II they can be practised, the only escape I
dull times.