Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-04-01
TWO Types of Women.
Telen E. starrett. in Chicago Magazine


The woman who ought to be cared
for. The woman who, when circum-
stances required it, can take care of
herself is truly admirable and de-
hghtful person to meet. She en-
courages our hearts to feel that our
daughters may be fitted by proper
education to meet the emergencies of
life cheerfully, bravely and success
fully. But it is probably that we all
feel, when planning for the future of
our daughters, that if they are called
upon to fulfill the whole of woman's
natural destiny, if they become wives
and mothers, their normal condition,
and that which would be the most
favorable to their own happiness, and
complete and harmonious develop
ment, would be that of being cared
for. In this condition, as Ia all right
conditions, they are entitled to all the
rights and privileges, and have all
the claims upon the respect and kind
ness of men that could possibly be
claimed or awarded to the most sue
cessful workers among women in any
department of the worlds work. An
earnest and thoughtful writer upon
social questions of the deepest impor-
lance, says that what this country
most needs is leisurely, happy and
| care-free methodhood. The period
when a mother has her little ones
around her knees ought to be the hap
pioet of ner life. But when material
should ward off all other cares and
trials that would Cypress her or in
terfere with her care for her children.
This is the period when a woman's
most sacred wright is that of being
cared for and protected.
Alas that to so many mothers the
| period Of maternity is one of being
0yerburdened physically and mental
ly, and if unrest and sorrow of spirit.
And this condition is one from which
in majority Of cases, she cannot res
cue herself. She may need recreation,
change, help in her labors and many
other things, in order to healthful
condition of mind aud body, but she
lacks the energy aud strength to pro
vide herself with them Here is the
opportunity for good husband. Here
is his chance to bind his wife to him
with ''hooBs of STEEL" his chance to
show that Sc appreciates what is due
to woman IL the most important rela
tons Of life. But IN order to do this,
he must render this homage, not as
one who gives to a dependent, but
rather as one who brings grand tri-
butte to a sacred altar. Woman's
greatest and first claim to all rights
and privileges is her claim as moth
er. We hear great deal now days
about the claims of the laboring class
es, the wealth produced by the labor
ing classes and the rights of laboring
classes. But does not the greatest
wealth of the State consist in good,
well-trained, law-abiding citizens9
These are given to the State by the mo-
Their. Yet where is the political econ
omist, where is the political party,
which recognizes the claims of, or
seeks to reward those, who by thous-
ands of watchful days and nights give
to the world its heroes, poets, and
statesmen,2 For this royal and low
ing service woman has richly earned
all the protection that law can afford
by giving her the power, if necessary
to protect herself. by making plain
and straight the paths for her feet
when she walks alone, but above all
by making happy and elevating the
condition of wifehood.