Feliciana sentinel., 1879-05-31
BEAUTY AT THE FORGE.

I r.
The field of woman's work is enlargiue
i'll every direction. Not only do we heal
of the energetic fair in all branches ol
industry that may in any way be suita-
bic to the abilities Of their heads and
hands, but they are reaching beyond and
occupying fields where it has been sup.
posed that only men could labor success
fully. Women BARRIERS and women
| drummers, and women lightning rod
! agents can be contemplated with com.
| i'll fact, as can be brought to the conside-
| ration Of men in like positions-but a
couple of women blacksmiths are alto
gether certain to create some astOnish-
ment, even among the very smart people
who have travelled n great deal, who al
ways know a great deal, who are aston
ished at nothing. This story is of two
women who are blaclssmiths, and al
though a true story, it is full of romance.
The women 90 business at Louisville,
KY, are young, and said to e handsome,
but this is not sworn to, and certainly
appear ta be endowed with common sense,
will and 1nuscle. They are twins and
bear the very pretty names of Carine and
Nellie Blair, which are painted in modest
letters OH a sign over the door of their
shop, the sign also conveying the intelli
gence that the young women are black
smiths. The account in Louisville
newspaper Of the appearance of these fair
blacksmiths may have been written by
susceptible young man, and Therefore
open to suspicion, but let us hope not
The assurance that the you ng women ire
not Yet nineteen, that hey are of the
blonde order Of beauty, with complexion
Gas fair as that Of any petite belle Of So
cicty, and the lovely tinge of pink and
red which ever and anon spread over
face and neck not only served to bri yht-
en- the natural beauty but gave evidence
of an excellent constitution and robust
health" Some of this, at least, is exact
iy what blacksmith would be likely to
need, and it is we'll enough to be partic-
llar about details III order to show other
young women who contemplate going
into business as blacksmiths what will
y
dressed in Turkish trousers and loose
blouse coat, and with sleeves rolled up
to the elbow, displayed beautifully roun.
ued and SNOW wi hite arins'-rln]ess the
rcporter who described them Eussed most
oUtra2 a2cously
The history Of these ind epertlent and
uncommon yonng women couldn't well
1,n f,-1 1,avtriSa Tt,r,, int
of English birth, and We're left without
parents at six years of age. They came
to this country with d gentleman who
betrendea them, they settled in Ken
tTcky, where the girl, finding little di- |
version. amused themselves by working |
in the blacksmith shop on the farm
They pursued this with such industry
that they soon found themselves excel
lent workers in iron, and in the most na-
tural way in the world began to look
lpon their ledge and abilities in
his way as something that might prove
!, means Of livelihood if events made it
necessary. And events did make it ne
,essary. They We're finally left without
/ home, and gathering up the smiths
tblS llolll tuS Olti Suot) iIey WcnC TO |
Louisville, where they began work as
as possible, and so modestly
hat they avoided all sensational or
curious attention, seeking only work
which they could capably perform. After
he work Of the day is over, they attend
,he nj ght schools, and altogether appear
o have taken hold of life with Il firm
grip. Of course they are doing we'll, but |
hey are not anxious for attention at the
hands Of idle inquirers, and are not pur-
suing this business to make au exhibition
II themselves, unless they tell the most
outrageous yarns. There is probably not
another case Of he kind in this country.
md lacllsmithing is hardly the thing
hat young women would he likely to
axe to as an attractive means of acGuIr-
ng a living. But these girls can hammer
ut their destiny on an anvil with as
much dignity and seli-respccv rs many a
;irl can possibly feel in doing nothing
nd having nothing to expect from the