Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-29
WHAT WOMAN CAN DO.


week. The subject for the evenings program
was women, what can she do?" Mrs. Bios
som read an essay on Eminent woman;'
young Mr.. Fox recited q poem on ''Women's
silent influence" and tenor soloist sang
queen OF the Earth" with fine effect Then
the chairman suggested that some one might
like to make remark, and Judge Gould rose
| to his feet.
i've been greatly edited by these exercises, I"
he said. Il tell you, feel proud Of our
women, when I think of the magnificent things
| they're doing. Woman's delicate hand has
knocked at the door Of every profession, and
man has calamity welcomed her in. A late
writer maintains, that she can even shoe
horses, and paint houses. And now, Just one
thought before sit down. Isn't it sad, when
the whole world is open to women, that any
should seek to crowd into calling proper only
law. The law is too low for woman. It would
drag her womanhood in the mire. No. no! Let
them 90 any thing else, but spare them the deg
radiation of the law"
II must say, don't agree with you there,
Judge, spoke up DR.. Glover. For my part,
I'm glad to see women in the law. think
they can do lots of good in that profession.
So long as the most refined woman is liable to
be dragged into the law courts, on the slightest
provocation, / can't see, for the life Of me, why
mind, 1T Is much more in her line than medi-
cine. 1 thoroughly disapprove of female doc
tors Women haven't the nerve and self-con-
troll for that profession. l say 1t deliberately;
had rather daughter of mine would walk a
tight rope for living than to put out a shingle
and practice medicine"
Now, don't believe in being narrow and
old-fogyish and behind the times" struck in
young MIR. Van Struther, reporter for THE
Leader" We've always aimed to keep right
n arnh NJ Nor
oughly approve of women doctors and minis
tiers and lawyers. Why, one of the best pleas
ever heard in my life was made by lady.
reported it. tell you she was clipper! And
Ia like to see them vote. Our paper has al
ways advocated that. We don't take a back
seat on the woman question. And I'm sure
don't object to their painting houses, or shoe
Ing horses, II they want to. I didn't suppose
they wanted to- that's all. But there are some
things that have too much respect for women
to want to see them thrust into. And one is
journalism. 'Twould lower their moral ma
lures. Besides this, their constitutions never
could stand the strain of night work. and-er =
beer. hope shall never see lady friend of
mine dragged into the mire of newspaper work.
Why, it's the miriest profession of ALL"
As Mr.. Van Struther ceased speaking there
was slken rustling in the bay window, and
Mr.. Louis Fernando Blenkiron young man
who has just written a short story, which he
was trying hard to getpublished, emerged from
Il beg to differ from my friend on "The
Leader" he said, striking an artistic pose, and
running his fingers through his glossy curls
II think the fair sex make charming Journalists
One OF the most appreciativ3 letters 1 ever re-
ceived was from a lady editor. 1 wouldn't ad-
wise them to paint houses, wouldn't do it my
self, you know. There's nothing idealistic
about it, and 'twould be nawsty work in bad
weather. Besides they might fall off. But
women can't write novels and plays. They
n hn lnfvraa H.
tion-in word they haven't the genius of the
author"
There have been some things said here to-
night" began Mr.. McKevitte, alderman in the
third ward, rising and thrusting one hand in
his pocket, while the other fondled his watch
chain, "some things that must take excep-
lions to, and one Is the remark thrown out by
Mr.. Van Struther, about women's voting. Now
II there's thing on top of the earth that makes
me mad. it's this internal talk about letting
women into politics. don't believe in drag
glng lovely women into the mire of politics.
Great Scott. who would want to see his wife or
mother carrying torch in procession? The
next you know they'd be even aspiring to the
Office of alderman! And l hope III never live
to see the day that they'll sink SO low as that
They can be clerks in stores, or doctors, or
ministers, or-paint houses. It's good healthy
outdoor business. But l shall protect woman
from the ballot, just as long as have the power
to do So"
WV, Hudt . Tue Hidtter WIFI women uOC-
tors?" demanded young Mr.. Smith, the affable
clerk in Randalls dry-goods emporium. Il
think they're prime. Perhaps they don't sport
SO much fur collar and silver-plated medicine
cases as man does, but they get there just the
same. They don't smoke tobacco nor whistle
Little Tycoon airs when your head aches
enough to burst, nor go off on spree for three
days while you're lying at deaths door. And
Like lady ministers, too. Why. I'd go to church
every day in the week if We had lady preacher.
And I'm perfectly willing they should vote.
That don't hit me. I'm not running for Office
with whitening look at Mr.. McKevitte).
There's just one business where think lady
Is little out Of place. and that is in dry-goods
store. Honest, now, think it's downright de-
moralizing to any lady to tell SO many lies as
we have to tell in our business"
At this ingenious admission everybody smiled
and Mr.. Smith sat down in some confusion.
81 was grieved to hear Brother McKevitte
speak as he did Of women in politics" said the
Rev. MIR. Abercrombie. Citizenship is not a
degradation to any woman. 1t is an honor.
shudder to think Of theacts of injustice daily
committed against women. because she has no
voice in her own govern ment. As for me, / am
not so ungenerous as to deny to woman that safe
guard of liberty which demand for myself
But, my dear friends, I must here protest
against the attempts of some misguided ones to
drag women into the mire-Or rather thea
publicity OF the pulpit. That strikes the cruelest
blow to womanhood. But while she may not
preash in our pulpits, she can still have her
share in the evangelization Of the world
Woman fulfils her highest destiny as a mission
airy to foreign lands. In India and Central
Africa she can work to save souls, and the Lord
will bless her labors. Many of us have felt our
souls uplifted as we read Of the hardships and
privations endured by these noble women"
81 think there are lots Of things women can
do" said young Mr.. Robbins, the tenor singer
Of the Presbyterian church. ''They can be
good editors, or doctors, or lawyers. But
there's one thing don't believe in, never
have, and that is, employing lady singers in
church choirs. Now, adore woman! I admit
that she can sing, really like to hear her, in
parlor Of her own home, but never in q church
choir. She is out of her sphere there. She
has too much individuality. She is always try
ing to show off. And a soprano is liable to at
tract all the attention from the other sing
that is from Observation-Disclosures. / prefer q
male quartette, myself, to render classical an
thems, or else good tenor solo. There is some
splendid religious music written for tenor
solos"
And Mr.. Robbins sat down.
l. For my part" declared Mrs. Gamble, d.
vorced widow, who had the reputation of being
little too willing to try 1t again, II don't care
what they do, il they only give up this break
neck chase 70 get married. I'm sure there could
be nothing more shocking to a refined, shrink
ing nature than the way these girls throw
| themselves at the head Of every man that
comes in sight. It's scandalous!''
Mrs. Gamble concluded with toss of the
head, and q feeling look at Mr.. Smith, who
was sitting on the sofa beside Nell johnson.
Then Nell johnson spoke up.