Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-04-15
MAY WOMEN WOO?
Intelligent Discussion OF an I'M
portant Problem.


Intelligent Discussion OF an I'M
portant Problem.
LIBERAL Review.
IL is generally supposed to be adread'
ful thing for a woman to "set her cap
atm other words, to attempt to WOO
/ and wilma man. Those who air the
cheap philosophy OF the time and con-
alder that there is no law 30 supreme as
etisuette, while they hold the supposed
DEGREES OF the omnipotent Mrs. Grumpy
in deep reverence, seem to imagine that
IL is the duty OF a girl to hide from her.
self the fact that she has heart until
some unexceptionable sutton discovers
il to her, and srdently protests that 1t is
the one great thing in the world neces,
sary to his happiness. III she ventured
| TO hint that she was so anxious for the
affection OF some male that she would
do ANYTHING within reason to secure
him for her lord she would be accounted
unmaidenly, bold, and what not; and
would, in all probability. be urged that
she might be expected to come 10 bad
end, and serve as an awful warning TO
ali members OF her sex who are inclined
to be undisciplined.
But there is, nevertheless, only too
much reason to believe that female hui
man nature is so weak and hayward
and imperyious TO the concentrated wis.
dom OF the eyes that the emotions which
lead 10 ma,rimony do not Always have
their origin in the blossoms OF impas-
stoned beaux. Now and then, 1t Is sol.
emily recorded, in shocked tones and
under the veil of secrecy, 80 that the
terrible fact obtains almost as much
publicity as il it were proclaimed by the
town crier, and has q peculiar, delicious
flavor impaired 10 il, that Mrs. Brown
actually committed the enormity OF max
ing love to Mr.. Brown, il she did not in
plain terms invite him to become her
husband. 1t is comparatively unlm-
portant that she and her mate appear
10 be as happy and to get on as we'll to-
gether as they would, in all probability.
have done il he had been the first to feel
the stab Of Master Cupid's dart, and had
warmly taken the initiative IN the court
ship. 1t seems to be held that the only
plea which may appropriately be urged
in excavation of her conduct is that
she reioiced in the possession OF an
abundance OF pelf and certain position,
while his social status was as low as his
purse was light; and even this plea has
TO be handled with adroitness II 1t is TO
become effective.
Indeed, at critical moment, when
they have all the touching details of the
exceptional manner before them, they
will not hesitate to speak in terms OF
whitening scorn OF the frail female who
is so much the slave Of her heart that
is acting as il she desired TO bring to her
feet a man who, from bashfulness or
some other cause, would not, seemingly,
get there but for her stimulating influ-
ence. II she fails they rejoice over her
downfall, and feelingly declare that she
will merely meet with her deserts il she
degenerates into NEGLECTED and petulent
old maid, while if she succeeds they
vigorously discount her triumph, on the
ground that il is one OF which any we'll
regulated female would be thoroughly
ashamed. The members OF her own
sex, when they cultivate the power of
iptrospection and are becoming mature,
should know how TO make excuses for
her, are invariably her most virulent
critics. Even men, however, are dis
posed to show her no mercy, and there
is, probariy, no more lofty and yigor-
ously indignant creature than the being
who feels that he has been "angleds
for, but flatters himself because he has
not been caught by the bait which has
been so temptingly placed before him.
He would almost appear to fancy that
he should, on account OF the way he
has escaped the snares that have been
spread for him, be placed on the roll OF
the worlds heroes. Noyelists are the
most venturesome OF beings, and they
have fondness for flouting convention
atty; but there are bounds beyond
which they dare not go, and they per-
ceiye how hazardous it would be for
them TO outrage popular prejudice by
depicting heroines who took the initia-
tive in love affairs. A queen OF Eng
land is at liberty TO make an "Otfer" to
a prince-indeed, it is not etiquette for
prince to make an "offer" to her-but
she occupies quite an exceptional posi-
ton, and the fact is one which need not
TO be further considered in reference to
the subject, especially as her marriage
may generally be deemed to be largely
influenced by state considerations.
Thus, everything is against the woman
wooer, and it is not surprising that she
remains something Of rara avis, and,
when her heart proves too strong Tor
her sense OF properties, often works in
cunning and crooked ways, as II she
was bent on deceiving herself and not
letting her left hand know OF the doings
OF her right.
Yet there is, after all, n good deal oil
reason and common sense on her side;
50 much that it is surprising the advo-
Gates Of the "women's rights" move
ment have yet to energelically take up
the cudgels on her behalf. IL is absurd
TO suppose that affection must newt
ably begin with the man. IL is equally
absurd that he alone must be at liberty
TO win the being whom he believes to
be necessary TO his LIES happiness.
The individual who allowed rich prize
to elude him because, through some
mistaken notion OF what peoplein whom
he was in no way interested and for
whom he did not care jot would think,
he would not stretch forth his hand and
grasp it when it was well within his
reach, wOuld, very properly, be account
ell tit subject for Colney Hatch or
Rainhil. Why, then, should a woman
DE debarred from doing her best TO stir
the sluggish nature of the being whom
she has, with the natural perversity OF
her sex, fallen in love with, and who
would, she has everv reason TO believe,
be worthy OF herr She may see that If
she will hold out her hand he will take
it, hut that il she gives no sign he will
pass on, and their lives, which she fond
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