Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-31
OLD MAIDS.

paper read by Mrs. A A. Parker before the Hypa
Toward civilization society moves slow
ly; but when we compare epecs half {
century apart, we perceive signs that pro
gress is made.
Among these present. indications is the
fact that the phrase cold maid has gone
well nigh out of fashion, that jests On the
subject are no longer considered witty and
are never uttered by well-bred people.
In my childhood l not unfrequently
heard women of thirty addressed liz this
style: What, not married YETI If you
don't take care you will outstand your
market"
Such words could never be otherwise
than disagreeable, nay. positively offensive
to any woman of sensibility and natural
refinement. and that not merely On &C
count Of wounded vanity or disappointed
affection, or youthful visions receding in
the distance; but because tie idea of being
in the market, commodity, rather than
an individual, is odious to every human
being.
| believe large proportion of wemen
are so, simply because they have too much
conscience and delicacy Of feeling to form
marriages of interest or convenience with
out the concurrence of their affections and
their tastes
A hp - 6ofor,.,ipn1 70 no
ried and who 'splays her cards WELL" as
the saying is, usually succeeds, but how
much more estimable and honorable is she
who regards life union as too important
and sacred to be entered into from motives
of vanity or seltishness
| have speculated much on the existence
and have got to the point of consideration
that an unmarried woman who makes her
way through life quietly, perseveringly,
without the support of husband or brother,
aud who retains in her possession well
regulated mind, disposition to enjoy sim
pie pleasures and forttude to suffer newt
able pains, sympathy with the suffering of
others and willing to relieve want as far
as her means extend, she is indeed TO be
envicd and al the same time revered. Lit
tie by little, step by step, many avenues
are opened to women for self mainlinancc
and culture, and it is not difficult for her to
choose a profession or vocation in life
which will give her the most pleasure to
follow the toilSome effort of winning her
own bread Now take the world as we
find it, are not the majority of Il e women
in great need of some money making talent?
How many do we know in the average So
clety Of our own prosperous city who have
"A competency provided for them with no
thought or care save to spend it prudently.
Would not Il great deal Of small pinch
ing and distressing privaton be done away
with if every woman had her own private
purse with which to supplement the money
supplied her for household expenses, and
which is often SO inadequate. Or if when
thrown on her own resources she has the
faculty of doing one thing well. shall she
hesitate between honest labor of her own
hands and the doled out bread of charity?
The day has gone by when woman
who enters any pursuit Of industry loses
cast 1t is an established truth that wo-
man who is competent in any branch of
business always finds situation opened
for her, if she seeks it. In contest skilled
labor will always succeed against the pre-
fences of ignorance.
If our great grandfathers could revisit
the earth. which would astonish them most,
the telegraph. railroads, telephone and elsc
trio lights. or the position women have
taken and are So nobly sustaining under all
these difficulties of nonfitness and lack of
business cduCationg
1t might not surprise them SO mach TO
find lady cashiers, lady bankers and lady
clerks, but what would they say to lady
lecturers filing good halls. to women
preachers in the pulpits and filling pastor
ates to women as school commissioners,
women appointed by governors to RESPONSE
bic positions, on commissions of charities,
prisons and reformatory institutions. TO
women IS practicing physicians counSeling
with the wisest of the faculty of the oppo-
site sex? If they could see these facts as
they are the results would not astouish
them 50 much IS The indemitsble courage
AMI perseverance, which led them through
difficulties which were almost insurmouni-
able.
remember twenty years ago Susan B.
Anthony was called "a gem in the rough,
bat she opened the doors by which other
u-rp,>r Ia va aptarx.j nd fSEav