The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-10

The semblance Of success made success.
few years ago there was good deal OF
stuff published here one winter about the
propriety of women going to the theatre and
other places of anus ament after night un-
attended by male escorts Now all that is so
common no one speaks or writes about it
Women have demonstrated their right TO 60
where they please and as they please. They
go to the theatres in groups, IN couples and
even singly, without exciting remark OF
notice. II they didn't manage for themselves
in these matters, there is a strong probability
that in many cases their lives would slip by
uncheered by sight of kings in cat fur,
stage villains, stars, and other inspiring
things of Mimicland There are not men
enough to go arourI and the half of them
don't do their duty as escorts. They string
into theatres alone OF in squads, while the
women do the same.
In hotels and boarding houses ladies, young
and Old club together and go to everything
in the way of dramatic and operate perform
ances without so much as the shadow OF a
man with them. What is more, they be-
come addicted to going out in this untram-
meled way and like it better-as some Of
them derisively say-"than to have the care
of a man." 1t requires less fuss and less dress,
and altogether the general opinion is that IL
is a much easier method of enjoying the good
things of the stage than the time-honored
fashion of each going out with her young
man.
New York is crammed with 'lone lOrn
women"-maids and widows, youthful, in the
thirties, in the forties, and even beyond
Sometimes there are fourteen OK them at one
table, with one spiritless, downtrodden man
at the foot, nieekly bearing ali the sings and
arrows they choose to hurl at his unregenerate
sex. What would become Of the dramatic
stars il all this minated femininity, wherever
found, calmly sat itself down to wait till the
gallant escort came along and asked il TO
accompany him TO the theatrei Why, they
would be obliged to put down their prices,
and vacant chairs would be more numerous
than the buds of spring.
Women think nothing of going anywhere
alone here after night, and very few are
moleSted They throng the street cars, get
on and off with as much self-possession as in
daylight; walk long distances quite alone
often; attend lectures, classes, OF visit
friends, going and coming without thought
of fear. From the theatres, the actresses, all
save the high-salaried stars, don their listers
and start alone for home at brisk pace
after the play, between IL and 12 o'clock.
They may be accosted by idle loafers, but
they are not often actually molested. The
important streets are we'll lighted and pa
troled, and they keep 10 them IL they can
l heard two young women boasting that
they had walked from Seventy-irst street 10
Nineteenth street together one night between
II and IL o'clock, and nobody SO much as
looked at them inquiringly. However, they
were really safer on a thoroughfare like
Third avenue than ON Broadway. IL is well
lighted and Is filled night and day with an
industrial population of both sexes. Women
unaccompanied 10y male escorts attract no
particular attention there.
New York IL not without It's full compile
ment of insulting loafers. bullies. roughs and
other terrifying bipe'ls, but wemen who live
here aud depand upon themselves become
plucky, and cannot he annoyed without some
risk 10 the annoyer
CroRar a. MARVIN