The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-02-17
A Talk with Wives and Mothers.

So much is said about orr housewives
taking outdoor exercise, of looking
salow, weary and worn from indoor
confinement, suggestions are given for
DOMINIC rubber boots, cloaks, etc., and
weathering even the storm in search Of
fresh air.
1t is truly lamentable fact that our
women grow haggard and wan as they
grow older, while our men only grow
finer looking as age comes on; and my
heart goes out in sympathizing pity for
all the women who must read these
suggestions for outdoor exercise and
who must look out of the window with
weary, wistful eyes, and pine for the
impossible outdoor exercise which can
not be had except at sacrifice of some
absolutely necessaryduty to perform in
doors, .r.. rf 1|trtl.ra# .-.
A woman life is alife of constant con-
finement; mean of whom all the house,
hold work is expected. When once a
woman assumes the position of wife.
mother and housekeeper, she can bid
farewell to any leisure time for exercise,
amusement or pleasure. Now, do not
mean to say she never has any of these
in her position of wife; mother and
housekeeper; but when they do come, it
is when the work is done, or the chill
dren are not sick or aili4g, or when
none of the many requirements are let
down. Too many young wives waste
the first years of their married life fret
ting over the loss of their freedom, over
the cares which have accumulated to
keep them home.
In these days we cannot do IS
have heard grandmother say she did
when her afternoons work was d0ne-
donning her clean apron, and het sun
bonnet and taking her sewing and baby
on her arm, she would walk nile to
sit the afternoon with neighbOr, get
ting back in time to prepare supper, and
no doubt refreshed by the exelbise.
To begin with, the women Of our day
have not the physical strength of our
grandmothers, and when tie wearing
duties of every day are performed, are
only too glad to sit down, even if the time
and attention must be given TO the weeks
mending, or the preparation of some
needed garment. .F.5r
Next, our mode of living is not so
simple. We are being hurried along
with the march of improvement. We are
trying to do four times as much as our
ancestors, and if we do not have time
left for rest, whose fault is it? There is
this difference in mans and woman's
work: A man, if he does his legitimate
business, thinks, when the grass is to be
cut, he must hire a man to do it; if the
house needs painting or repairing,
another man must do it, and so on
through the whole catalogue. But his
wife, aside from her legitimate business,
must do all of the extra work that accu-
mulates in her department herself, and
the husband bowls at her extravaganza
in having her dresses made at the dress
makers, when she used to make them
herself before she was married. 1t is
the exception rather than the rule to see
the man as careful to preserve his wife
as his horse. 1t isn't SO much want of
exercise that makes our women faded
and wan and sallow as tits the weight of
care that accumulates upon the wife and
mother, and the constant striving to
make one dollar do the work of two,
taking up each added duty uncomplain-
ingly, and patiently try to do all that is
expected. Is it any wonder they fade SO
soonP- Christie Ir0iag, IN Farm md
FIreSide.