Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-02
THE VALUE OF woMAN's TIME
BY CHRISTINE TERHUNE HERRIcK.

tslg 4 woman LlIlb WI "a ahf thAu@
No. absolutely nothing-that is, If we take
the estimate which women usually put
upop IL. II this statement seems incOr-
rect. ask the next woman you see with a
garment on, which she made herself, how
mucn il cost. II she tells you SO, or any
other amount, ask her If that includes
the cost OF making, and see II she doesn't
reply, i made II myself l am
moi now finding fault with women for
making their clothes, trimming their
hats or embroidering their cloaks,
although l believe great
I deal Of time is wasted thereby.
/ Neither am | going TO argue that men
/ spend their time more usetully than wo-
mpn, for do not believe II. WO.
men, like all poorly paid workers, work
( long hours, IL possible, wish them TO
see that it is largely owing TO the estimate
they put on their time aud work that they
are not better paid. II a man makes Ia
BILE, chair, or anything else and is asked
the cost OF it, he will answer, giving the
cost OF the material and adding his time.
or so much, not counting my time.' DE
does not completely ignore mis- time as a
woman usually dOes.''
Women need not expect to obtain Tecog-
milton OF the value OF their time from men
until the tbemselve show that they &C
knowledge tue possibility Of other wO-
mems time icing worth money. There is
no use in denying that while a few eX-
ceptiOns 10 great number may appreci-
aye this fact, the large majority seem uO-
able to grasp the idea that a woman may
not always be at liberty to entertain Yisl-
tors, write letters or pay morning calls.
The only valid excuse for a lack Of leis-
ure is press Of domestic duties. but
other r. asons, especially il they relate 10
any manner TO literary labor, are cOnsid-
cred an ALLEGATION.
I'm this truth lies partial explanation
why mems work is more frequently salts
factory than wOmen's. Toe man II basil
ness breaks OF a breakfast or luncheon
chat with guest to say: This is all very
pleasant. bur l ought to be at the office.
You will excuse me, OF course" He
apologies for dilatOriOess in social duties
with the plea OF the quantity Of extra
work he mas had TO do at his store
or counting loom. Even the clergyman
can claim as his right certain hours in
bis study. The man or woman who took
odense At such a course would he justly
voted deficient In perception and judg.
ment. But look at the other side OF the
question for moment.
A woman has received liberal educa-
ton, one that tits her Tor something higher
than mere society and household Occu-
patiOns. She comes home from school or
college full Of plans for study and self
improvement, determined to give regular
hours To the pursuance Of those branches
In which she has stood first at her ex-
amInations. She is willing to give a rea-
sOnable amount of time to society, for she
mas no prediction for the life OF her
init. She is deslrOus to learn house
keeping, to relieve her mother OF burdens
and to take her proper place
10 the home. With all this there are
still two or three hours per diem
that she resolves TO reserve tor intellectual
work. il the choice must be between
yielding that and renouncing balls ard
parties, the latter must suffer. should
she persist IN this course, what is the re-
suit? her girl friends pityingly speak OF
Der as being completely spoiled, settled
down into a regular recluse, cut out
for a old maid. Young men shuu her
as blue stocking, and when she seeks
relaxation In society she 10 greeted by
ironical compliments upon her literary
powers, mock serious marvelings that she
should have been coaXed from her books
by such frIvoity, while even by we'll
meaning acquaintances her pursuits are
apt to be regarded with compassionate
patronage.
With the married woman the criticism
is no less severe. 'fWhy, what has she to
dO?' is the cry. ''Her husband ia at bis
busness all day and she has no ba bies to
look after" Or, If she has children and
yet IS known to keep up her studies, wise
heads are shaken knowingly. and hopes
are expressed that the poor, little crea-
lures may not be neglected in the mothers
zeal for knowledge.
II, however, "A woman gives herself up
to her home duties she Is estee med
model to her sex. Literary work Is no ex-
cuse for Withdrawing from society or
CHURCH duties, but let 1t be known that
the time thus won is devoted to doing her
own cooking, sweeping, or sewing, the
matron Is regarded with added respect.
To this general state Of public opinion
New England offers a strong contrast.
While a knowledge OF Housekeeping is
thought essential for all women, prof.
cheney in language or science is admir-
ed aud commended. Ii the daughter of a
wealthy father chose to teach school or
take pupils, no adverse criticism is passed
upon her course, and girls ability to
earn money by an accom- Dlishment Is
looked on as credit rather than a dis
grace.
In the Middle states, too, there is some
allowance made for the popularity Of a
desire for Intellectual culture, although
1t is not so universally and eagerly sought
as in New England.
The words
EVIL Is wrought by want of thought
AS well as by want OF heart
are quoted by no one more frequently or
more groaningly than by the women who
have. in opposition to the time-hOnOred
theory that the feminine nature is essen
TALLY fitted for dependent position, per-
sisted in learning and practicing a profess
sion or trade. While no married woman
has right to consider any claims para
mount to those of husband and home she
may, should she be good manager con-
triye 10 get some hours each day for writ
ing, reading, or study; but let her beware
OF giving toe desire for these as an excuse
for lack OF leisure.
The modern and blessed idea taught by
the bitter experience OF those who. by the
sudden financial changes so common in
this country, have been thrown from COM
fort into poverty, of instructing girls IN a
trade, business, or profession. by means
OF which they can support themselves il
necessary, is fast gaining ground. Women
are reali2iu nv that present aflluence does
not always mean immunity from future
/ want. When the practice of fitting a
woman 10 do some one thing, aud do II
well, becomes the rule and not the eXcep-
! ton, remedy viii have been provided
/ for the interruptions 20 which the few
/ really busy women are now subject.
! Until then they must perf0rce submit to
/ the eNactlOns and miscOnstructiOns OF the