The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-08-13
RiCARDA.
MARY A. E. wager-ri.her. i. Appleton's Journal

Some days following the installation of the |
three friends in their country cottage, where |
they lived more out than indoor, Klcarda, |
who had been wanting to discuss her future |
to be and to do with her father and Dick, had |
the way for SO doing paved by the latter in
an account he had been giving them, during |
their outdoor breakfasting, ofthe work being |
done among the working classes by the
Baroness Burdett- Coutts.
sShe is not, personally, very attractive
woman, believe" observed James.
"On the contrary, quite fine-looking now,
replied Lane. Il have been told that she
was ugly in her youth, but she seems 10 have
been growing in grace ever since.
ssThat comes from having a career-from
having good work to do" exclaimed Ricardo
81 believe mental activity is as essential to
the highest type of physical beauty as are
pure water and fresh air. Indeed, have
theory that if the activity be of the right sort.
it can develop beauty out OF ugllness; for
which I could cite more illustrations than
that of the financial queen of the world.
What would be the result, think you if /
were to be papa's professional partner, and
become Great Chemist-spelled with capital
letters-or a a successor of Faraday?"
81 Think laughed her father, '.the result
might be the transformation of a woman
into magnetic needle.
sOr pillar of SALT" added Dick.
"But, seriously, "interposed Ricardo, grant
ne an honest opinion. l well remember
talk we had before went to college, when
Uncle Dick told me I would there learn
what, as young lady, it was to be and to do
and papa said it was to love her father
to be his help, consolation, joy. Since
then l have discussed hundred times
in nv own mind in what way or ways she
could best be and do that, or, if there was but
one way, what was it, what is it, L am young
and strong; have had advantages to pre-
pare me for work as men have; l remember
too much of Uncle Dicks theorizing con-
corning women not to be, in sense, his dis
eiple: to feel an impulse pushing me toward
his goal / realize, too, that to be u woman
like Professor Mitchell is to write ones name
in the stars; and to be a domestic deity like
NV 500 good sisters is to write it in the heart
of a man, which, according to sacred authori-
ty-
rs deceitful above all things" concluded
Dick, with gravity, which elected merry
round of laughter.
@And desperately wicked, added Ricardo,
with mock solemnity.
sHas that been your experience IN finding
it so, my ehild?" asked her father.
sOh, no; no, papa she quickly replied
II find men-everybod very good and kind
Judging from what st. Paul gives as stand
ard
.Are YOU an admirer of ST. Paul?" asked
Lane. secretly wishing to lead the converse
ton into different channel.
aYes and no. He uttered many strong and
true thoughts, and was ahame with zeal for
what he held to be the truth. But he seems
never to have risen above bigotry and mar
rowness in regard to women, which might
readily enough be excusable on various
grounds, save that he was so much indebted to
them Indeed, from some source, it has been
made to appear that he was financially kept
afloat for long time by the merchant Lydia,
who was in small way sort of Kadijah to
this Mohammed of Christianity. You see,
Uncle Dick" she continued, half mirthfully,
sit is but another illustration of your old time
assertion, that, if a woman exerts herself in
anybodys behalf, it is for man."
ITO help man seems to be her destiny, OBJ
served her father.
aAnd by no means an Objectionable des-
tiny, papa He needs the help badly enough
she exclaimed, laughingly. 1.-The only crit
icism have to offer in regard to it is that he
wants her to give it to him in his way, in
stead of being pleased to have her give 1t tc
him in her own way. And this brings me
again to the question of my destiny-of whai
my future is to be. Don't both speak Al
once" she gayly concluded, as pause inter
vened.
care you really in earnest, Ricarda," asked
her father, about having career?".
Il am in earnest as to what shall do will
my head, my heart,my hands, and my time. /
were man instead of woman, I could be n,
more so. I've horror of rusting out, and /
still worse one of wearing myself out in fash
ionable frivolity. / don't know that hav,
any special talent for special work. 1 dc
Il II l.nA
selfish enough to wish to make the very mos
of my life, and that / have a right to tn
honest counsel and advice of my two bes
friends in the matter. l am open to convic
tiol from Europe and America" she archl,
concluded.
aYou see Dick" smiled James, after
pause, s'the fruit of your hsresies- Here W
have a young lady on our hands who, having
been fed on the progressive ideas of tn
nineteenth century, now asks what shall b
done with her.
sWhile you were in college" spoke Dick
looking dreamingly in the distonce, san
this question of what your duty might b
came into your mind, how did you dispose {
it?"
81 didn't dispose of it at all. 1 simpl
said to myself. This is matter l can nc
decide | will let time and circumstance
determine it for me-"
every well, let them still be the arbitel
of your destiny. You can afford to wait fc
signal of some sort, or, as theologics
student would say, for call from the Lord ,
as that the way young men do after lea,
ing college, Uncle Dick? Sit down an
wait, like Micawber for something to tur
up2 Expecting some fine evening to 81
written IN great letters in the sky the
name and destined occupation2"
Eyes, some do about that. But what
young man does need be no guide for yo
If a woman have finer instincts, she shou
wait with firmer faith for intuitive guidanc
and depend less upon the bias of anibitie
and preference"
That's pretty fallacy," she laughed
reply. al wish you and papa decided
arbitrarily about my future as you did in t