Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-01-21
In WOMAN'S BEHALF.
MoRk FOR nae MIopLs.Aoeo.

Gives the wives and Mothers With Little
Ones to Support Lucrative Employ
meat.
One has only TO scan the advertise
ments for "female help" IL our great
dailies 10 get at clear and compre-
hensive understanding OF the main diff
ficulty which stands ike lion in the
path TO oppose all women who are no
longer young In obtaining work at
fair compensation. To meet the re.
quirements of the ordinary advert ser,
the applicant must be young and pre-
possessing" or "a refined young lady
OF pleasing add ,ss," or "A girl between
ages of eighteen and twenty" etc.
The average business man, merchant
or lawyer, demands that his female
help shall be attractive; and to be So
In the Judgment OF the representative
biped male, youth is absolutely essen
tial
Now, why does this state of things
exist? II thoroughly conscientious
work was the ultimate aim, the chances
are that the woman OF experience
would fill the bill more accepta bly,; but
alas for poor human naturel The ex-
cellence of the work has moth ng 10 do
with It, The typewriter, book keeper
or cashier must be ornamental Most
men prefer pretty face to good
work on general principles; and,
II aesthetic in their tastes. have a refined
and most pardonable (?) horror of a
plain face old or young.
Then the woman who desires work,
In nine cases out OF ten, has family TO
support; has been left without re-
sources by an improvidcnt husband,
and has added to her heavy burden of
grief struggle for the existence and
maintenance OF her little ones Or
perhaps the failing powers and invalid
ism OF husband and father have forced
her into the working throng. The
middle-aged women who work, outside
Of lis forlorn class OF widows and
wives, are spinsters who commenced as
teachers or clerks in the heyday Of
their youth and have held their own
by undoubted merit and energy. In
deed. we find our middle ,ged spinsters
occupying the best places as teachers
IL Is a case OF the survival OF the httest
for the incompetent teachers of fifteen
or twenty years ago have long since
either married or gone into dress
making millinery, etc, where they
have either gained "woman's wisdom"
In becoming mothers, or sunk into the
ruts OF the common place.
Let us look to the wives and widows
who are seeking work at the present
time. II is not for themselves alone,
but for others. They apply for posi-
ton, and are offered pultry wage, to-
tally inadequate TO their needs, and, II
they demur, are met with the answer
"oh, we'll, we can't afford TO pay any
more. There are dozens of young
ladies willing and anxious TO work for
this sum" They must accept this pit
lance; or 60 again upon their weary
search for remunerative employment
The "wisdom" which the bearing
and the training of a child" has brought
them. does not avail them here, in this
new struggle for life, though IL sup
plies courage and perseverance. They
must enter the list against the mex
perience Of youth. They can not avail
themselves of the opportunities which
are afforded young girls Of becoming
apprentices, etc. for they must cara a
living They must groDe their way
blindly; or II possessed Of rare intelll-
gence and natural attitude, must ses
the palm borne away from them by in
ferior beings possessing the all-con
querlng attributes OF youth and beauty
This is wholly unjust. Youth and
beauty are sure TO win in the matri
monial lists; it Is right aud proper they
should do so They are usually only
waiting for the contest. They are
physically better able TO cone with
grim necessity; and as they have only
themselves to care for their needs are
not so great Give the gricf.stricSer
widow and trou bed wife chance: tho
young and lovely maiden can look ou
for herself, so 10 speak.
There ought TO bc some other worl
than canvassing of'r'd to the self
respecting and indusiriouNly inclined
middle aged woman. Let women o
wealth and no le-mindrd charity NEE
these needs y n broad philanthropy
worthy OF such course Woman's bes
friend should be woman. With capita
and brains let women go into business
become merchants. bankers lawyers
dealers. manufacturers. There will b'
demand for the experienced the skill
full. the intelligent workers YOUNG
and old pretty and plain, all may hav'
an equal opnor unity, LIT evening
schools be provided for m'ddle-age'
women. widows, wives and spinsters
free or not as may be determined upon
A nominal fee, to cover expenses o
light and heat to maintain that indie
pendence which is vital in all tru
charity, may be charged each student
Let biography shorthand ook-keep
ing, penmanship, mathematics, dress
making, engraving typesetting etc
be taught and let the course he thor
oughly elective. Instructors may b
volunteers from the more favore
classes, or salaried women whose edit
cation and attainments have alrcad
fitted them for the work, Woman
journal.
-. -. .-.,.,.,z