The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1889-01-03
= srRoN0- MINDED WOMAN.


You msy tuck the lsp robe little close
about my lame knee, daughter. fes
that's il. And nov my crutch aud cane
Lucky every man doesn't have TO max
such . parade ~ this in going To tow
meetings-eb, doctor? I'm thinking
there'd be a falling of in voters.
You know ia take your place in min'
ute, father, il could, said Miss Wentworth
roguisbly, handing him bis crutch; bu
the Law doesn't admit women and IDIOT
TO tbe polls
Women, no; as to the idiots. I'm not 81
sure, responded her father hnmorously
it's my private opinion, doctor. rount
number OF those cropt in at our last towr
meeting. See what set Of sticks they pu
up for school committee.
The fact is. Mr.. Wentw orth, the schools
miss you, said DIR. Rodmsn, slowly draw
ing on bis gloves. There isn't man IL
the village capable Of filing your place
Elect 9 woman, then, retorted the squire
quickly. Do something. Our present ed
ucational system Is q disgrace to us.
Elect your daughter, for instance. said
the doctor, with sportive glance at tbs
comey woman 10 the doorway. She's the
only lady here competent for the Office
and vet she would not take it,
Very true. But why shouldn't l-if
pleased? asked she, archly.
Why? You couldn't do it. You've toe
much delicscy. No lady Of refinement
would consent TO be thrust into 30 public
q position.
Not If she could serve the rising genera
tion by the means? interposed the squire.
PooLl poohl call that narrow, doctor.
But what are waiting forp lam oil ready.
The doctor made feint OF gathering up
the reins, to which the horse responded
merely by knowing wink That his mas.
ter should really be in haste to leave Miss
Wentworth WAS unprecedented and trans.
cended belief.
! What do you say, Zilpha? Am ! mar
row, Don't you think men should figb,
theis own battles2
Certainly, il they can. But il they get
worsted women may be very good, sup
pose, and help them.
\ OF course they may and do in many
ways, said the doctor, smisbly. Not by
drudging in public Offices. though. For
my part, should lose sll regard for Q
lady who would accept snch . masculine
position. Ifthere is anything utterly
abhor, he added with energy, 1t is strong
minded woman.
Behold how distinguished men differ,
said Miss Wentworth, mischievously, King
Solomon, now, liked them. Do you re-
member his enthusiastic description OF q
model woman? Here's part Of il: She
considereth field and buyeth it, with the
A fruit OF her hand she planteth vineyard.
4 Dreadful Still let us he charitable.
King Solomon lived in hcathenish days,
before women we're exalted to their true
sphere. laughed DIR. Rodman, driving
away ut las reluctantly.
Miss Wentworth turned back TO the par
lor. smiling. II Was nearly . year nov
since she had been summoned from beI
teachers desk 10 New York to the bedside
OF her dying mother, and 10 his capacity
Of physician be bad met her almost daily
ltheu. aod afterwsrd. during her father
70 lions iiiness that ensued. Seeing hel
thu, in her home life, he could not fail Il
he charmed by her gracious, womanly
ways for spite OF bis 35 years OF bachelor
hood, be was no, 80 unsusceptible man :
and he had become warmly attached Ia
her. OF course she was quite aware oi
this. What woman Of 28, with her Wits
sbout her, would not have been, where
the gen,lemsn's eyes spoke so eloquently
Ye, she had perversely evsded sn unequi
vocal declaration. II was pleasant to be
conscious oftbe doctors preferences. but
she was 10 no haste TO bs assured OF ii
This was the state Of affairs between them
on that bright afternoon when DR.. Rod
mao had called quite tilislly TO take her
invalid father to the March meeting.
Miss Wentworth sat down to read one OF
Aeassiz's lectures Sue was fond OF nat
| ural sciences, and rather learned in that
direction, having taught them constantly
Tor the past seven years. Just as she vas
deeply Interested 10 the glacial theory
there came sharp riog At the door bell.
aud simultaneously from the kitchen the
swish OF . mop. which indicIiel ihst the
maid ClimenA was yet splashius 10 Mon
days slough. Miss Wentworth answered
he bell herself Two pl,ssed geL.
ilemen stood upon tue piazza. and At sight
OF her ore chucsled outright. This uss
links. the town clerk
\ We've called. Miss WentTortb. beeso
he and Ju ige Kenton. 10 . br sih-We've
called -. aud here they broke down. each
eourieoasis sesiieuls'ing TO The other TO
proceed.
Miss Wentworth pfeeeivci they had
called. and wsndsring they saould sesm
90 sm used about IT. ssked them Ia
I The fact IL. we've come 90 Dovel nj,
sion. ssil the Judge, With = frank lsugh.
We are here 10 congratulate you CO your
recent election
Yes. man: we've elected you supervisor
Of schools. mum. put 10 Mr.. Hisks. shsk-
% With suppressed lsnghie, Il vn u