Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-02-08
THAT BONNET.

THAT BONNET.
/ wondered if it would suit the fair votary
of fashion, who suffers as the Sybarite suf-
fered from the crumpled rose-leaf found
in his bed, over the discovery OF
wrinkle in the bosom or misplaced fold in
the drapery OF the robe which somes 10 her
hand like a beautiful evolution, with no
thought on her part OF the mental WEAKNESS,
the anxiety, the patient suffering stitched into
its glisteping folds. She was not coming
back, che had said ;apologetically, because,
"ke was worse" He, maybe, meant father
decrepi3 from old age, or husband help
less from some cause, or little child who
had been watching and longing through all
the long hours {tnade so much longer by her
absence) for her TO come back and minister
10 his helplessness. Perhaps she will leave
MY LADY's ROBE
at the mansion of ease, without even wait
iug to ask if it "suited her now" and hurry
home, over the dear knows how many blocks,
OIL TO the little house where reuts are chs ap,
where che would bestir herself to brighten
aud warm the few remaining hours Of the
evening for him, not knowing that she is tired
until, nothing more being left to do for
others, nature asserts herself and reminds
her that che has been at work since O'Clock
in the morning, and will be again tomorrow
all the long, gray, uonctonous years that
stretch between her and the grave, where the
weary are at rest. Clearly, thinks / TO my
self, a sample OF one sort of woman who has
helped TO ruin the world with the aid Of
sewing-machine. "What lives they leadr' l
said aloud, as we left the shop after final
decision in favor OF "broDze tips" "Who?"
asked my friend, carelessly pulling piece
OF abominable red netting down on
HER ARIsToCRATIC NOSE
to protect il from the piuchiug cold.
aSewing womep," answer, comprehensively.
"Obi they're paid well for il, and / suppose
they'd 90 at something else il they didn't like
it," she answered as Complementary; and
We scudded before the wind, in haste 10 get
home, neither of US wasting any more words
in arguments that were certain to leave US
both Of the same opinion still. Our way led
US through one OF the dingy streets that lar
the fair face of our city in so many direc-
tions, right by a miserable frame building
that opened directly upon the street. l had
often noticed its occupant sitting patiently
at her sewing machine whenever or at what.
ever hour OF the day passed.
PITIFUL ARRAY OF CHEAP CALICO DRESSES
and tawdry petticoats and fimsy fnery
hung around, betokened her calling as q
maker of ready clothing for the humblesl
classes. This particular afternoon, Just as we
reached her door, she opened ii TO give ad'
mi'tance to man, an inebriate, in such 8
state Of intoxication that she had TO assist
him in entering, her own patient face ali
aglow with shame, as she caught our curious
glances. "Wretchl | bet he drinks uI
every cent that poor woman makes" said my
companion, her pretty face bright with in.
dignatiou. The law allows him to-why
not? When a man has reached that degree
OF degradation, il comes much easier for him
| TO spend his wife's earnings than it does Il
earn anything for himself. and she-why
| there comes into many a woman's lie the
| time when peace embodies her idea OF the
| greatest good this world can offer, and when
| to secure it, or even its miserable substitute
| temporary quiet, she will sacrifice even th'
power to battle against wrong and Injustice
| and sink iuto the stunned apathy of en-
| dursnce that comes easier to her than the re
| sistance which man has made so hopeless
| Clearly, thought to myself again-anothe
case of a woman world-wrecker! Whisky
tobacco, beer, csfds, speculation" wha
have they to do with it? Nothing my lords
| absolutely nothing; they are only recrea
tons which make spiteful woman "Gey il
| to live within
But I wondered II women could be pait
| for such liyes-lives void of all The leisure
| for meni al cultivation which some us regart
| as absolute essentials 10 existence. Live
measured out by daily portion, into dull
rouiines Of duty, only varied according TO tn
degree of skill which brings than promotion
by the length of the days, which affords thei
more fortunate fellow-women increased op
| portunities for social recreation. Sucl
| hueless, havorless lives, that we could hard
| ly blame them if they arose in their nigh
and, like Samson OF old, failing TO adju,
matters to cult themselves, should essay Il
bring down the temple, or the world either
in confirmation Of my friend's assertion.