Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-08-09
THEYOUNG LADIES OFTHE PERIOD.
BY LIZZIE.

and amusement, too careless about the
serious interests Of life rs they were
accused Of being, they 10 least gathered
all the roses Of life in the few short years
that interviewed between school days and
marriage. How bright they were, how
happily Indifferent to the woes Of
humanity, and how an hour III their
company rested and refreshed tho tired
wayfarer in serious experience. Nor
is it too much to say that they were
stronger, mentally, morally and physl-
caIly, than the young ladies Of the pres
ent period; for when once launched INTO
the serious responsibilities Of wife and
mother, or forced to carve out careers
for themselves, they came fresh 70 the
task, unwearied by previous training or
the weight Of reflection.
dare say the present system 81 cdu-
eating girls is al right, but il makes me
sud to witness its effects. Just look
around you and see what the young
ladies from ~ to 20 are doing. All are
either studying Or working. 10 DC able
TO support themselves, or to reform
themselves that they may reform 9th
ers, according To the doctrine Of Con
IuGllaI III blltII MIIDlt hIIiIs my PhhbJ
in intricate problems Of social life,
eagerly hoping to find some safe path
to the higher life for all humanity, lgnor-
ant, alas chat their efforts are as but
drops Of water in the sea Of human
misery. Then they fit themselves for
professions, expecting, bythelr superior
lttainments, to reap some Of the golden
rewards Of merit, and never think 1T
what cost the final goal must be at
tanned. Or they feel like being inde-
pendent and having money Of Their own
to spend, and shut themselves up IN
work-rooms from morning until night,
onl Y ccasing from their labors when too
tired to enjoy anything.
Now, is this the right way To spend
ones YOUTH 1t may be argued that
that il il tho example SGT us by men,
but the cases are hardly parallel, since
there are natural duties which fall to
the lot Of women that men arc never
called upon to perform. Even in the
earlier school days Of both sexes boys
are secured more liberty than is given
to girls. The outdoor sports Of boys
are II recognized feature Of their cduca-
ton, and when studies and sports arc
over the boy only uses his home as %
place to rest or play III. Girls, on the
contrary, are never allotted u regular
time for play. 1t always seems proper
for girls to help little about the house.
They are expected to look after their
wardrobcs and wait upon their brothers,
80 that, except in the limited class,
whore money is no object, the daughters
Of Il household have moro than their
share Of domestic duties iii addition to
their outdoor cmploymonts. That
some young women should seek situn-
tions where they cnn do their own bread
winning is certainly proper, but thnt the
fashion should have become 80 general
is really u great detriment to society.
In the first pluce, ii increases the supply
of female Mborers Otlt Of I'LL portion to
the demand, and thus lessons wages. In
the second, il greatly nugmcntS the
work Of tho one woman on whom the
housekeeping dovovus; and worse sllll
il robs female youth of that period for
the enjoyment Of life which nature
ordans, and which canlot 10 cont
pensntcd for in the leisure of later life.
In the wealthier classes Of society
tho case is quito ms bad. There MI the
young girls are preparing themselves
for the Harvard examinations, or study
ing medicine, or eloGution, with ~ view
toorntory, or they are chasing up natur-
Ill science, and can talk Of nothing bat
physiology or hotany,or arc deep III the
mysteries Of dress reform, or take II high
moral stand, so high that those of us
~, ,,n1lInI al. H. iln l,nut
we could, feel that tho SIMPLE comforts
We have in view are but dust and ashes
compared with tho aims Of these super
lathe young folks.
Truly, IN this progressive state Of
society, the young gentlemen of the
day are the greatest sufferers. We
look around vainly searching for proper
companionship for them among the.
members of the other sex. Where are.
tho picnics and parties, tho beauN md
bellies, the boys and girls who used to
entertain themselves with each other III
years past? Where are the tender love
makings and lovers quarrels that used
10 give such II 2est to existence.
In the oldcn time both girls and boys
Ind abundant opportunity Of knowing
ench other well before they thought of
mntrimnny Now " young man y ~
pccted to make up his mind whether
HE wants to marry young woman the
first time Ia meets her, and shc like
wise. But, notwithstanding this bust
ncSs.likc way ofyicwing the pcrmanon-
~ Of ailcctionnto relations, we have not
in the United States any regular system
ior facilitating the intercourse Of young
people, by which they may mako nc
aualntance with each other. MS in
other countries, where parents feel il
;,,,n,Inni imam Thorn Ia tukD tneir