The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-06-12
Tired Women.

III you look around on the faces in
street-car, the number Of faded and
conntenanccs presenting
themselves is startling. Mature women
have especially tired mir about them,
showing itself not only in pallid COM
plcxions but in the wearied lines about
the mouth and eyes. It is impossible
to associate this appearance with happy
lives, and yet, from dress and manner,
the majority would seem to be comfort
ably placed in this world. Usually the
climate is supposed to have o great deal
to do with the early fading Of youthful
freshness, and the beauty Of health, in
stead Of reyiving with the spring OF the
year, usually DELAYS until the summer
holidays. followed by the crisp autumn
breczes, invigorate the human system.
Ii the truth was known, however, /
suspect that it would be found that the
reason why women look tired is because
they are pcrpetually fatigued.
Modern methods have not eased the
cares Of wives and mothers, whose du-
ties have developed with the growth of
science and expansion Of art. When
children were thrashed into obedience
to paternal commands, when young
people understood that to hear was to
obey, when husbands only expected
their regular three meals day and
mended and clean clothing, the duties
of women were very much simpler than
at the present time. In those happy
days. when to cat, sleep, and work was
the whole duty Of man, and the inter-
ests of posterity side issue, the mis-
tress of the household might, after her
work was done, eat and sleep, too. At
least she had q chance to work when
husband and children we're engaged in
business or in school for long hours Of
the day. In those days, rain or sun
shine was the same, life moved in .
groove, and there was probability Of
things running smoothly. In those
days people ate what was set before
them, because there was not much va,
riety to be had, and they were not al
ways developing new ideas in the way
of occupations and diversions that up
set tho regular routine of household.
Perhaps it was monotonous, but it was
restful for the housekeepers.
In the great upheaval Of mind which
has Of late years set each individual
soul on the search for that good living
which the world is supposed to owe it,
whether the quest is continued in the
direction OF business, pleasure, science,
art, or religion, it is the wife and
mother who is expected to be the in
strument Of Providence in providing
tho means and forwarding the success
Of the seekers. and nobody thinks OF
all the extra burden this throws upon
her--the strain on her sympathy, the
tax on her bodily strength. From the
child who wants n play made for him
to the husband who wants to talk over
his affairs with her, is one long inter-
mediate chain of little services which
are expected from her. That she has
personal tastes or iuclinations is never
taken into account. She has no time
left for her own use, but is actually at
the beck and call Of all belonging tc
her from early morning until late at
night.
It is q curious fact in connection with
the nineteenth century, that few people
are self.reliant, and still fewer can oc'
cupv themselves agreeably without aid.
Like tho Turk. they want somebody te
amuse them. With the additional. bur
den Of seeing that the members of .
family are amused, as well as their ma,
terial wants provided for, it is no won.
der that wives and mothers look tired
No doubt men feel the fatigue of the
constant drive that is requisite to keel
up with the general stride. but they
have peculiar faculty of being able K
take rest, even in tho midst Of tur
moil. Women, unfortunately, from
long experience in being overdriven
get into that state where they canno
repose, even when the opportunity of
fcrs. This is state of nervous expec
tation, brought about by the knowledg'
that there will be something to do in ,
minute, even il there is nothing calling
for attention just now.-Philadelphit
Sunday Times.