The Red Cloud chief., 1881-11-24
A Plea for Occupations for Men.

We have heard enough Of woman's
"sphere" and its enlargement. WOm-
ems rights" have ceased to be dwelt
upon with 20 much force since tifev
have quietly stepped forward and taken
them. Several cases have come to my
knowledge of late where men have
trained their wives into a knowledge
| of their business. One of them, who
had been a soldier andicamc home with
broken health, made this provision for
his family in case of his death. and he
has died. as much q hero and a martyr
as if he had persisted or the battie-fie cid
His wife is now able to carry on his
business and to support herself and her
family reputably and comfortably. We
have been driven to such things by
stress of circumstances. 1t may be
contrary to all our old notions; we may
still think it wiser for women to marry
for a home, however she may shrink
from it, than to support herself inde-
pendently, but they won't do it.
The fact is, there is no absolute rule
to regulate the work or the relations of
men and women. 1t is q matter of Gus
tom, and customs NAV change if it be
expedlent. Now, as our customs are
changing, why should. not men learn
certain things which would give them
something to do aud make them hap
pier? Why may not men knit, or sew,
or crochet Of course, it sounds very
odd; indeed, l do not know that /
should have pluck enough to be found
equations. But why not7 Why sit
idle' l am not always tired; l do not
always want 10 read; l get tired of
twirling my thumbs; l can't play on
any musical instrument. and If l could
that is noisy. Why can't Q man have
some tranquil occupation? have seen
Mrs Smith sit down with the needle
and work of n fit Of .impatience. in q
time of waiting, to great profit.
should have whistled and fretted and
bitten my nails. and only grown more
restless.
BOYS ought to learn. WHY should
they leave all their things about for
others to take are of-fOr the weary
mother. ifthere be n~otservants enoughe
Why shouldn't 8 boy. if he is off on q
tramp. be able to sew on . button or
mend hole in his stocking properly?
1Dcl SoluStfu1CS Nlou0S0- " w III UUb
howa Aud now, when 4 il . sort Of
fashion to have a ranch in Colorado. or
somewhere where no woman may ven
ture, l don't see any way but for the
boys to learn these things. Let them
knit their stockings instead of PLAYING
cards. I believe in interchange. Why
may women enter into 30 many of our
occupations and we be excluded from
theirs? '.Efeminate." is it? Not Of
necessity. Why is it any more 90, ave
from custom. than writing or any other
/ quiet. sedentary work. There arc
trades where men sew. q we know,
and in many 3 business . boy has to
learn some rudimentary practice of the
art. The doctor. rs . surgeon. must
thread needle, sew bandages. . say
nothing of other artistic stitches YQn
see my plan only carries matters . trif6
farther. and would teach. Is an ATT
that which is now but rudely done.
My friend Prof. x can hem . towel
or . handkerchief Nth the best O then.
He is nome tho less manly, and once
saved his own life by having strong
mQscles and weightF fists Things afo
rather mixed. but Il women poaoA a
our manor let rs Be evsn With thpm n
] we may gain By it-O@ y. 7. Rask