The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-11-02
RIGHTS AND NO RIGHTS.
fhe Difference Between woman's Rights
With and Without the Ballot.

Mrs. Summers Saturday baking was
finished. The house was in "apple-pie
order" for Sunday, and Mrs. Sumner
herself was seated in her cosy little
parlor, mending-basket at hand, to
fulfill that last great duty of woman
stocking-darning. Miss Strong, the
little school teacher, who had a room
upstairs. had dropped in. also stocking
in hand. for friendly chat. when a
ring at the door announced the coming
of Mrs. White, Mrs. North and Mrs.
James.
I'VE met on the doorstep" explained
Mrs. White. 81 am out this afternoon
collecting for the Ladies' Auxiliary So
ciety of Missions. l am fortunate in
meeting four members of our church at
once. l hope you will all give me some
thing"
II don't know" said Mrs James. 81
must ask Mr.. James about it"
Mr.. James should have heard the
lecture last night" said Mrs. North.
perhaps he would realize that his wife
had right to give away fifty cents. If
she chose, without consulting him, had
he been present"
One OF the most noted of our women
lecturers had spoken the night before
upon the rights and wrongs of women,
and the four ladies had listened to the
lecture.
1T would have made no difference"
said Mrs. James, YEARLY. II have
argued and begged and pleaded with
him. but it is all to no purpose. Don't
l give you every thing you need?' he
will ask. Women don't need money.
1t is always give He never seems to
think that | have earned any thing. /
have borne and reared five children.
have always done the family sewing,
and although We usually have girl in
the kitchen. | have repeatedly done the
for months together. If l
had been paid. at very moderate rates,
for the labor have performed in my fam
lily. should have had far more money
than my clothing and all other expenses
of my living have amounted to. And
yet, when l ask for money. my husband
always enquiries wha, did with the
last money he gave me-"
Mrs. James paused, out of breath.
Il am glad l am not married." said
Miss Strong. '.At all events my money
is my own. and can do as please
with it. But this miserable injustice
that is shown to US women Gomez home
to me in another way. lam obliged to
earn my own living. and l have fitted
myself, at great expense for teaching.
1t is my business, my life work. II do
say it, l excel in it. Yet / am paid only
about two-thirds as much as a man is
paid for doing the same work. simply
because am a woman. l once fol-
owed. in a school, man teacher who
wen misspelled his pupils names upon
he register, he was so ignorant. Yet
lie was paid forty dollars per month,
while l only had twenty-five. He was
| man with a vote, you see, and / was
,nly a woman"
but you don't mean that you would |
'eally like to rote?" said Mrs. White.
YES, do; just that" returned Miss
Strong. "And was so glad to hear,
md to have others hear, that lecture
asst night. l am sure good seed was
own. and some of our people were set |
o thinking"
"Well, must say it seemed very
lreadful and unwomanly to me for a |
ady to get up and talk in that way be-
ore all those people, though I grant |
he was very sweet-mannered, and did |
lot loca at all like one of those strong
ainded women, and they do say she is
. very devoted wife and mother. But. |
omehow, l don't like it. Anyway, |
han't bother myself about it l have
II the rights l want"
Fortunate womair' said Mrs. James.
What makes you go about collecting
or missions?"
"Why, what aquestion, Mrs. james,
reclaimed Mrs. White. How could l,
Christian woman, be content to sit
own and enjoy all my religious privi-
eyes, and never try to help those who
re in heather darkness?"
That's just it, returned Mrs James.
You are a Christian. Your soul is
afe. You have church, and a good
Minister. and all the privileges you
rant Why do you bother yourself
bout the heathen?"
'.Mrs- James," calculated Mrs. White,
eeply shocked.
''Well, it's no worse than to say that
ecause you have all the rights you
rant, you won't bother yourself about
ne women who haven't any rights
he principle is the same. Because
GU have a comfortable home and a
ind husband and plenty of money, and
Il that, you are willing that nobody
nows how many thousand women in
lew York City shall work for thirty
ents day. and no end of your sisters
e driven every year to lead lives of
hame because they can not earn enough
D keep soul and body together other
'ise?"
II never thought of it in that light"
Uttered Mrs. White.
THE question comes home to me in
mother way" said Mrs. North. Here
am. deprived of my husband, with
,anty means and a son and daughter
, bring up and educate. My little
roperty is taxed to the utmost. must
ay my taxes, but / have no voice in
lie disposition of the money. My son
growing up. Saloons tempt him on
very side, but l can not vote to have
lem closed; and / can not help to en-
n Lara for fho nrotacfinn Of my fam 4