Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1881-12-23
HOME LETTER.

DEAR SIsTERs:-In response to tht
repeated calls for Millicent's opinion o
the knotty subject of woman's worl
and woman's brains, deferentiall,
and dlffidently proceed to advance :
few crude ideas on this vexed ques
ton. say deferen:ially because fee
my incapacity to enter the list against
so many 'ler and better minds who
have stopped to discourse it. and diff.
IDENTIFY because l feel my incapacity to
enter the list against so many strong
opponents, as are arranged against the
woman's side ofthe question.
| think Olives premises are very
good. but she carries her assertions toe
fa,, and has some absurd theories
which she does not establish to my
satisfaction. 1t Is too true that many
women OF the present day spend much
of their precious time in fashion and
frivolous amusements, neglectlug the
higher qualities Of their nature, and in
the sacred duties of wife and mother.
In these DAYS almost every one
has the means of education
placed within their reach and woe to
those who neglect the blessings offered
them. but l deny ihat education ceases
when a women marrles. She just
begins the actual practice of the
theorems taught her in her school DAYS.
She is the better cook for understanding
chemistry: the better nurse for know
ing physiology and hygiene. the better
financier if she understands mathe-
mates and money values. lfshe has
studied literature her bookshelves are
apt to be filled with the choicest works
of her favorite authors, and if her
aesthetic tastes are cultivated she
adorns and beauties her home. In
fact. she is the better wife, mother,
housekeeper, friend, and neighbor de-
veloping into higher, fuller life as the
wears 90 by. There is no time for her
mind to grow DINNER and rustier every
day-rather the constant application
OF the knowledge required in youth,
will unfold page after page of beauty
and freshness, to those who come under
her influence If she be mother as
we'll as wife, never you fear her mind
rusting out Her whole soul is in the
work OF teaching and training her
darlings that they may be loved and
respected. lis true, she NAV not know
all that is going on in the world, nor
the title of the last new novel, but she
possesses deeper, purer. holier
knowledge, that of time well-spent, of
duties cheerfully performed; of home,
husband and children made happy by
her loving ministration. and enjoys the
sweet flow of love flom soul to soul,
that binds and makes the circle COM
plete.
know there is another side 20 this
question, where poverty or sickness
dwell, hardship and sorrow are the
guests, but not always .unhappiness.
Where sin and crime and drunkenness
are the inmates of the house, all the
gentler influences are unfelt. But l am
speaking of the average American
home, where industry. economy and
cooperation 90 hand in hand; where
order and neatness prevail, and peace
and contentment will rest within it. No
need to let those beautiful gems of
thought or those glorious ideas be lost.
They are ever thronging the brain and
stirring the heart of the happy wife and
mother rs her hands are busy with their
deeds of love for her household admit
there are many women whose mental
capacity cannot reach beyond dress,
furbelows and frizzes, and | pity the
men who call them wives; and yet do
they deserve censure. Is 1t not the
love of the beautiful within them that
mpels them to admire the shining silks .
and costly sarins. the beads and laces
and jewelry, even while they fail to see
that there are lovelier things to be ,
sought after Perhaps this class OF
women are .aised up especially for
hose men who admire weak depend
emf women for their very weakness" as
olive says. Surely all ought to be
allowed their preferences. do not
,p,ee with Olive on another point. c
Nomen may have the right to vote, c
mt / do not think ii expedient, nor do s
think because women are the guar ,
Ian angels ofth If home they must be
5 GELS without brains. John Christie
her Constant, you shall hear from me
aon NEGLIGENT. L
IN. Willows. Adair Co., Mo. e.