The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-12-21
WORK OF SINGLE WOMEN.

WORk Or SlNGIe WOMEN.
Their Many Successes Have Given Encour-
agement to Others of Their Sex
The highest possible encouragement
to success is the example of the success
full In no department of biographical
literature is there more abundant cause
for inspiration and enthusiasm to wom-
en- than in that devoted to the brave
deeds and painstaking labors of their
own sex. To read over the names of
noted single women is sufficient to
arouse any soul which is conscious of
undeveloped power, and stir to action
dormant talent
In long list Of such honored names
the difficulty lies in making a choice of
those most worthy of notice. There is
one name which every American boy
and girl, with thousands of other ma
tions has long since learned to love.
But not because Miss Louisa Alcott
wrote Little Women, and all little and
big women have laughed and cried over
its pages, is her name an inspiration to
effort. The story of her life as written
by Mrs. Cheney, is far more eloquent
and fascinating than any of her bright
stories. Because of her brave battle
with poverty and adverse fate, her de-
votion to parents and sisters, her touch
ing sacrifice of her own tastes and
wishes that the beloved "Meg," Beth"
''Amy" or the beloved ''Marmee" might
have treat, and the silent, uncom-
complaining life in which SO much men,
tai and physical pain was hidden-these
weave the charm which binds the
hearts of the multitude, and especially
of womankind, to Louisa Alcott. Her
life is a story which every single wom-
an especially should read for the inspir-
alton that breathes from every chapter.
Miss Alcott did not dash gloriously into
fame at single effort, as Minerva APP
peared, fully equipped, from the head
of Jove We read of the petty sums Of
fered for her first stOries of the courage
with which she toiled as cook and
laundress, yet always faithfully, and
how, in spite of hard work, meagre
support and the temporary crushing
out of cherished ideals, she accepted her
fate, and never shranll from the burden
of supporting the family at home until
the weary hand cold no longer hold the
pen As daughter and sister she first
excelled, The day of her fame was
more bright and sunny because she had
first won success in the homely house
hold cares, and learned the principles
which made success in other lines pos
sible.
In the world of science OF our own
Maria Mitchell is worthy of mention
beside Caroline Herschel, the famous
astronomer, the gifted sister of gifted
brother. The fact that scientific re-
search demands ceaseless observation
and close logical thought deters many
from following in this path. "Ad as
tra," in its literal sense, is difficult
motto, but Miss Herschel, gentle,
delicate, modest little German woman,
and Maria Mitchell the bright Nam
tucket girl, each of whom first became
known by the discovery of comet,
solved many difficult astronomical
problems, made valuable discoveries,
lived to advanced age, Miss Herschel
dying at the age OF ninety-eight, and
both lived singulariy happy, enthusi-
astic lives, devoted to science, and yet
not forgetful of womanly virtues.
Born of only ordinary capacity, but of
extraordinary presidency says Miss
Mitchell of herself, 81 did not quite
take this to myself until | came to min
gle with the best girls of our college,
and to be aware how rich their mines
are, and how little they have been
worked"
Florence Nightingale, Dorothea Dix,
and Sister Dora We're not more brave,
nor more truly devoted to the cause of
suffering humanity, than are thousands
of their sisters all over the world. But
to the record of their unselfsh lives and
beautiful character the world is indebt-
ed for the success of thousands of other
nurses, prison reformers, and philan-
thcopists of every name. Had any of
these women followed the usual lot of
woman, and in some sheltered home
worked out the problem, the sweet
problem of family life, their success
would, no doubt have been as sure and
as blessed, hut the world would have
missed the heart-stirring examples
which have helped many woman
since, and nerved her hands to noble
deeds IN every time of war or pesti-
lcnee or special need some Florence
Nightingale, another Sister Dora, is
found equal to the emergency, and more
easily found because these have lived
and wrought And the single woman,