Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1885-04-16

Il seems to be according to the order Of
nature that man should face the world bold
ly and brayely. rather seeking than avoiding
IFS hustle and competition, but that woman
should be defended from the rough ex-
perience> Of life by the stronger arm of a
husband, father, brother or son. Were
she thus happily situated there would be no
necessity for planning what q woman can
do-not that She should lead useless life
no person who is able to work has a right
TO be lae, bu, when women keep the home.
and attend faithfully 10 the demands of
those vacations which are suited to her, she
does her fair share OF the worlds work
We all know. however, that even in this
favored land very many women are Deepen
dent upon their own exer,ions for a living;
and not only this, but many besides earning
for themselves have Others looking to them
for support. How to provide for these is a
serious question.
There are many remlneratiye occupations
which are closed to women BY reason of
her want % physical strength. Size cannot
vel engage in agriculture. There is much
heavy work connected with it which she
cannot do herself, and if she attempt to hire
il done the proceed, will often fail TO pay
the help. Market gardening is open to the
same objection. and both have the added
drawback Of requiring too much cantal
She cannot find employment a, com
mon laborer Aside from the barrier of lack
Of strength She could not engage in sucn an
occupation without losing much that makes
her womanly, and being reduced 10 the level
Of beast Of burden This cannot be done
in the United States without radical revo-
luton in public sentiment
She cannot learn the mechanical trades,
nor engage in mining or numbering. or rail
reading.
When She turns her attention to the
lighter svoca,ious the case is but little bet
ter, for though She may &c; a situation as
clerk IN store. or operator in telegraph
office. or other similar position, she must
be content with half pay. She NAV have
all needed ability. perfect integrity. and a
determination to render good service. but
she must do for FIVE dollars week that
which a Young man too efeminate and
genteel to work, too ignorant TO enter a
profession, and too poor to engage in bust
ness on his own account-will receive ten
or more. We have an opinion of those am
bilious Young men who aspire to measuring
tape, dress making, or any other light work,
that woman could easily do.
When the professions are considered as a
means Of livelihood woman is virtually shut
out. A very few Of her sex have studied
law and have beea admitted to the bar.
and few have entered TIE ministry Some
have studied medicine, and are doing noble
work in their chosen profession. Still, the
number who car engage in the law. the
ministry. or the practice of medicine. is SO
very small that the professions seem hardly
worth counting as avocations upon which
women can depend.
Il is conceded on all hands that women
are naturally adapted to the work of teach
ing, and Inc number of those who take il
up is rapidly increasing but here again they
are subject to the CALLING injustice of seeing
men receive much higher pay for the same
work. Even the principal of the high school
in so large and enlightened CITY as Cleve-
land, o., asserts that men should receive
better salaries than women for teaching.
because they will not work for the same.
They demand more, therefore they should
receive more.
We hear much about the avenues that are
open to women at the present day, but look
on the suhjec; as We may they have not an
equal chance with men. Besides being shut
out Of many occupations By physical in
capacity, and working for inferior pay in
many Of those in which by superior fitness
and fathfulness they have gained 70 othod,
they fad themselves elbowed by men. even
in those yocations which belong especially
" tHtut; q; i'i iiistdfte HtiIlitIN anu uftse-
making.
Bat there is pursuit in which very few
women are as vet engaged which offers more
advantages with fewer drawbacks than any
other which she can turn her attention
to. This is the cultivation of small fruits
The leading characteristics of this work are
such as to recommend it to women.
1t is not laborious, does not require great
physical strength, and vet it furnishes prop.
er and plentiful exercise for both mind and
body. There is but little heavy work con.
nected with it, and that little can be hired
1t does not require much capital. But little
land is required and no expensive nipple
uents. When the business is begun in {
small way. and gradually increased. there il
scarcely any expense worth naming.
Fruit growers meet with less opposition
than almost any other class, and next te
none from coarse or ignorant people. TheiI
products meet with a ready sale, and here
for once. women have an equal chance with
men. When she sends fruit to market nc