The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-04-10
ihs Business Abilities vi Women

r
sleeping coaches which,
have SO reduced the wea,iness at
travel, We left Boston on a train
bound outward for the West. There
we're no; more than half dozen per
sons besides myself in the car, ami
this scarcity of travellers made con
versation general, and. established
friendly and social relations between
people who had never seen each other
before, and did not, even then, know
each others names.
In the section just behind ours,
four gentlemen had seated them
and we're talking concerning
matters of general and sometimes
local interest.
Occupied with a book we gave lit
tie heed TO their conversation until
our attention was suddenly arrested
by hearing one Of them exclaim,
with much emphasis. "Yes, sir! l
helievc that, as. a rule, women ar.
more economical than men. You
see, women cant waste much money
if they tries; she's obliged to spend
it on herself, on her jewels and laces
her silks and satins and furhclows
of one kind and another. All these,
however, can be turned into money
again; and the more ragged and dirty
and 'tingy piece OF lace is the bet
ter woman likes 1t, and the more
money it will bring. But now just
look at the men, and think for mo
ment of the enormous sums of mon
ey spent every year on fast horses,
gambling, wines and tobacco; things
that represent not capita! invested,
nut capital sunk, wasted. Why, if a
man sets about it, he. can waste more
money in one year than a woman can
spend in five"
II guess you are right" assente
his neishb"r: "ana'-dropping his
voice to a low tone and speaking
slowly, as though he were abont to
tell something which, though true,
was entirely beyon.i his comprehen.
sion-"I'II bet copper that my wife
can tell exactly how much money she
had i'll tie last ten years, and jus,
what every cent was used for"
"llow about !. YOURSELF" asked mum.
Der three, "can you do the salne?'
mot much!" was the emphatic an
swer. I've had good many at
tacks of book keeping in my time
but get over tlsem in just about
four DAYS. By that time the thing
won't balance, and I give it up"
A hearty lalgh followed this frank
confession, and then lady who sa,
by the opposite window turned ant
said, with a half smile, "And yet,
suppose that If any one were to ask
you if your wife had any bushes,
ability, you would say MOP"
"Weil, ma'am, suppose / should
We men don't generally reckon on
so,nan's having much business abiI
lily: but I'm not sure they haven
got it in spite Of Us"
Here the conversation drifted int'
other channels, but it started a trai,
Of thought in our own mind and ma,
,erhsps do the same far some of on
leaders. Do we not know women
who, with inadequate means at tl.ei
conn aud, have 81 ruggled for year.
against trials, difficulties and ohsta
cles, which to the more timid, SCENE,
perfectly appallin.2 Women wilt
hsve made home pleasant and attra..
tive to. their children; who, by til,
exercise of qualities which woul,
have made good business men o
them, had they been men instead o
women, have given these children
education and accomplishments. :
These women are sagacious; QuicI
To see where their interests lie, an,
always ready to avail themselves O
fortunate circumstances. Uprigh
and conscientious IN all their deal
ings, they are not foryetful Of tn
fact that the world owes them pIac
and station and recognition. Res
pectiny themselves, they are respe.
Ell by Others, and have the con6denc
of all who know them. There is a
adjective peculiarly American in it
significance, and of the widest con
prehensiyeness which people appl
to such women. They are smar
A woman who manages her nous,
hold affairs with such prudence, for,
sight aud economy IS to excite til
admiration of her neighhors; who
always nest in appear ance thong