The Washington critic., 1890-04-17
HOW WOMEN DIFFER.
The Self-Reliapt Woman and the De-
pendent Woman,
rom tie Ne,g York Ecning sun.


1t is both amusing and instructive to
note the difference in the attitude of
different women toward the little cour-
tesies and acts of attention usually
offered by men to women. In some
women there seems to an instinct al
ways 10 expect these gallant attentions
indeed, 50 strong is the instinct that
some women seem to assume the atti-
tude of demanding them. Other wo.
men appear to be totally unconscious
that special consideration of any kind
is due them because of their SEX And
they really are unconscious Of it. Yes
terday young woman clambered into
Fifth-avenue stage in which were sew
eral other women and one man, who
sat near the fare box.
She was very pretty young girl, and
the man was palpably, and properly
anxious to be of service to her. But
without noticing in the least his polite
interest in her welfare and his half-out-
stretched hand, she walked steadily up
the swaying stage to the fare-box,
passed up 81 to the driver dropped her
fare in the box and went back to her
seat in utter ignorance and unconcern
had been on the edge of frenzy lest she
should not be iiOie, first, to reach the
box; second, to reach the driver: third,
to count her change; fourth, to pay her
fare, and fifth. TO stand steadily on her
feet while the stage rolled on.
Just the day before another young
woman-not so young nor so pretty,
however, as the other-had entered a
stage in which there were also several
women and one man who sat, this time,
down near the door, The young woman
seated herself on the opposite side of
the stage, and considerably nearer the
fare.box. Then she took q nickel out
Of her purse and looked helplessly about
her. The man was looking out of the
window. She half rose, then sat down
again and looked at the box more help.
lessly than before. Finally she stood
up, stepped down to where the man sat-
and holding out her nickel. said: ''Will
you be so kind, sir9'
The point that makes these two Incl
dents worthy of comment is that in both
cases the instruction the one hand of
self -helpfulness, and on the other of
| dependence on some man for service
was so real and so devoid of affectation.
Two women who had watched both
these incidents with interest fell into a
discussion over their general sig
| nificance.
''The mind of woman like that sec
ond one" said the first speaker, "must
be like the moon-there's always man
in it. Such unconscious reference in
| the simplest acts of life to masculine
presence proves that. And 10 my mind
| 1t isn't dignified or womanly. If q
woman leaves her home for any pur-
pOse-to make q call or go shopping
she is supposed to be equal in body and
mind to the usual incidents of such a
| performance. If she isn't she ought to
stay at home. If she is able to take
care Of herself why should she be al
ways reaching out toward the attention
| of the first man she meets! There may
be-there occasionally are-times when
some slight assistance from stronger
person than herself smoothes the way
for woman, but in the mass of cases
it is simply a case of vanity on her part
seeking qualification.
"And, as Stevenson would say, upon
my soul, think it less than decent. -
We'll" said the second. 81 am a
busy woman, one of the working
women who are supposed to have
plenty of confidence and competence
and not to nourish sentiment. And ]
trust I'm not wholly lacking in dignity
and elf.poise, but do confess that .
little kindly attention on the part oi
men-just little shade of difference
and Difference in their manner because
I'm a woman--does me world of good
| have no instinct to exact 1t, but if they
offer it like it. like to have mar
let me pass into the Elevated ahead Of
him; like TO have him offer to tak(
my fare in stage; l like to see him lif
his hat as he passes me on the stair;
like every nice little thing he does tina
reminds me that this hard, bustling
busy world has deal of kindliness lef
in 1t and unselfish consideration fo
others, and that there are plenty of mel
who will still pause for an instant
special thought for a woman just be
cause she Is woman and because they
like to do It,
All of which discussion simply goe
to show that women do differ nightly