The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-07
IS WOMAN TO WOOg

A Frenchman Discusses the Questionable
Says That She Is, in England.
The English are now discussing in pro-
found seriousness the question, Is woman
to woo?-free translation: Should woman
ask the hand of man in marriage? To q
journal conducted by women for women,
and entitled Woman. belongs the honor Of
having first posed this unexpected question;
and now the press of both sexes, as we
must say henoeforth. is discussing the
problem, says the London correspondence
o. the Independence Beige. There is only
one preoccupation, one subject of contro-
versy-"Is woman to woo2" To sum the
matter up, the fatality of the age has in
sisted upon placing this question at the
head of the order of the day. Since the
English women have become journalists,
travelling guides, doctors in letters and
sciences, and claim the privilege of
voting and riding horses astride,
single step remains between them and the
right Of initiative in the matter of con-
jugal union. The obligation to wait count
less years for husband must necessarily
appear to them as one of those intolerable
conditions Of inferiority which must be
stricken from the social code. Henceforth
let men do the waiting. Such is the conclu-
sion of the majority of the ladies consulted
BY Woman and its contemporaries. Only q
few of the more modest are protesting
They cannot consent to take the offensive
in that war in which they have always
played the part of besieged garrisons. Other
littlo queens by grace or by beauty ask
themselves what will become of their row
atty il from solicited idols they come down
to the position of solicitors (solliciteuses),
shaking under masculine noses the encen-
soir whose perfume mp to the present they
great majority, are for the interversion of
tho roles-for revolution. They only await
the signal to charge upon the bachelors,
and they answer all objections with
the remark that many men are
timid and need the encourage
ment of the outstretched hand; and that,
notwithstanding all the prejudice and all
| the routine of centuries, the spectacle OF
the virgin who dares where the man who
dares not is delightful. Recollect the dis.
Greet advances Of the suave Desdemona tc
that bear. Othello: or read, rather, the
But does the entire movement only mean
as an evil tongue has already suggested
that the majority of the collaboratresses
and lady readers of Woman are poor in
attractions and rich in years-wretched ole
maids who have become parched and yellow
over their embroidery during their long and
bitter existence; unfortunate, disdaine6
ones, whom love has ignored and who want
love all the same, even if they have to take
1t by force? In other words, are we on tn,
eve Of a revolution among the forgotten
and the impatient?
1t is not necessary to enter into thu
infinitely vast and charming discussion
OF the great subject There is only room
in this letter for the statement of tn,
plain fact that the English wome,
are about to rebel against the ira
d'tional strategy of love. and that they ar,
their own choosing, to marry instead of te
be married. Therefore, let the young for
eigners who contemplate visit to this Ezis
ish Isles take warning now. Let their ear
be ready for burning and spontaneous dec
lerations on the part Of the young Enalsl
their choice. And let them not be surprises
! II In some little park or in the corner of
ball room they encounter scenes and over
, hear dialogues like the following:
Angelina taking the hand of her com
. panion and looking into his eyes)-Arthul
it is time for my heart to speak. Arthur
, will you be my husband2"
Arthur (stammerinR and placing his han
3 upon his hsart)-Oh, Miss. for Roodnef
= Anselina-You blush, dear Arthur. You
Q eyes modestly cast down tell me of yoJ
. confusion. How handsome you look
! that way, Arthur. in that silence of embAl
rassment, with humid eyelashes and yor
. heart beating like q birds under your s0Oy
white shirt. But, Arthur. do speak OF
: word: only one: do not mean TO friRhte
you dear, terrified fellow; dont aak youi
: pronounce my sentence Of death or Of III
Immediately. But. dearest Arthur. give n
one ray of hops.
Arthur (trsmbling) -Wsll. 20. Win 2
about it. but I am ovsrcosne. Plaaae hriz
me back to my mamma.
! Angelina-Heavena, - has faintedl Hell
} 4 Qlan OF Watsr! Arthur, come "a, dare
: Hare = your mammal HoW to1aAing -
h . 1ainN MI