Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1882-09-08
WHAT WOMAN SHALL DO.

settled the questlon--to Its own salts
faction at least-wnich has SO long ag-
itated the public mind, concerning the
work best designed to make the happi-
mes and the hSing for that vast army
of female toilers who were not born
with a silver spoon in the mouth. "
In short, those who have 10 earn their
daily corn bread and oleomargarine
butter and their one new dress year
by the labor of their own hands and
almo said brains. but pause, fearful
of the result.
What woman can do, he settles In
the following beautiful and easy st, lie.
"Yes, the farm is the promised land of
freedom for the oppressed and over
worked sex, and the truth will be real
lied before the dawn ofthe millennium. ="
How long before, the aforementioned
prophet sayeth not; but the probable
tiles are that this is to occu. some bill
ions ofyears hence, the judgment day
following Immediately.
The arguments used in favor Of farm
work for women. are extremely forclble
but he has tine cart before the morse,
assuming that any woman could, if she
chooses, begin farming at once with
all the machinery and teams necessary
to run first class farm. For instance
he says; "They would get good sulky
pillow with power lift. After blowing
they could either take walk IN har-
rowing the ground, or they could still
ride by the use of sulky harrow. In
the planting season they would use Ell
Their check-rower or lister. When
the time for cultivating came, they
could walk and ride by turns, by the
use of a combined walking and riding
cultivator. If they had grass to cut the
moving machine in the forenoon, and
the sulky rake in the afternoon, would
dispose of that business. The hay
leaders and horse-forks would store
away the hay, and with the harvest
gathered in, who supposes for a mo-
ment that these frail creatures could
not convert it into money-and spend
it2" (ahem
What charming vista here unfolds
before the longing gaze of the seam
stress, the washerwoman, the Bridget
who cooks and scrubs and washes dish
es tor Mrs. Highfalutin, and the deli
cate girl who sells silks or laces over
the counter of Messrs. Catchem &
Cheatham. All any of them have to
do, is to drop the needle, Smash the
sewing machine, fling the mop, the
dishcloth. the skillet and the wash
boara into the back yard, and HE to the
country where these nice machines for
facilitating her labors stand all ready to
be used. Now, if 0ne will reflect a
little, he will readily perceive that it
takes money to buy farm, stock, team
and all the necessary machinery men
toned by our esteemed contemporary
and any woman who has money enough
wherewith to buy and stock farm, has
no need to seek occupation in this way,
for there are plenty of avenues open to
those with means, and in the pursuit of
which they may labor worthily and at
the same time help others.
What is wanted is employment for
for women who are obliged to make
living for themselves and others de.
pendent on them; who have no capital
and perhaps but little education; and
for some of them farm work might do
we'll enough if they could get it to do,
hut not one farmer in a thousand would
hire woman to drive his team before
a reaper or sulky rake, unless she was
a member of his family; then he will
condescendlngly pay her half price or
nothing.
Iwouid not object to a woman do
ing farm work if she wanted to. but |
would ask in the name of all that Is
sensible, is the plan feasible for women
without capi,al7 And if women are to
do the out door work, who will cook,
and wash, and and sew on buttons, and
shank the children, and make the beds
ETC., ETC.,
Let us hear from some of our cores
nondents on this subject If 1t be true
that in a multitude of counsellors there
is wisdom, we may be able to arrive at
the truth.