The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-01-13
In WOMAN'S BEHALF.
WORK FOR THE MIDDLe-AeEO,

Ones to support Lucrative Employ
ment.
One has only to scan the advertise
ments for female help in our great
dailies to 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 a
fair compensation. To meet the re-
quiremcnts of the ordinary advertiser,
the applicant must b. young and pre-
possessing" or "a refined Young lady
o. pleasing address, 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 acceptably; but
alas for poor human nature! The ex-
cellence of the work has nothing to do
with it. The typewriter, ool1-keeper
or cashier must be ornamental Most
men prefer pretty face to good
work on general principles; and,
If aesthetic in their tastes. have 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 improvident hus band
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 this forlorn class of widows and
teachers or clerks in the heyday of
their youth and have held their own
by undoubtcd merit and energy In
deed, we find our middleaged spinsters
occupying the best places as teachers.
1t is case OF the survival of the fittest,
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 commonplace.
Let us look to the wives and widows
who are seeking work at the present
time. 1t is not for themselves alone,
but for others. They apply for posi-
ton, and are offered paltry wage, to-
tally inadequate to their needs, and, if
they demur, are met with the answer:
A'Oh, well, 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 go 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 it 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 earn a
diving They must grope their way
blindly; or, if possessed Of rare intelli-
gence and natural aptitude, must see
the palm borne away from them by in
ferior beings possessing the all-con-
quering attributes OF youth and beauty
This is wholly unjust. Youth and
beauty are sure to win in the matr-
monial lists; it is right and proper they
should do so They are usually only
waiting for the contest. They are
physically better able to cope with
grim necessity; and as they have only
themselves to care for their needs are
not so great. Give the griefstricken
widow and troubled wife chance; the
young and lovely maiden can look out
for herself so to speak.
There ought to be some other work
than eanvassing offered to the self
respecting and industriously inclined
Illuult'drcu Woiudu. Leu Wollcn vi
wealth and undetermined charity meet
these needs by broad philanthropy
worthy of such course, Woman's best
friend should be woman. With capital
and brains, let women go into business,
become merchants. bankers, lawyers,
dealers, manufacturers. There will be
demand for the experienced, the skill
full. the intelligent workers. Young
and old, pretty and plain, all may have
an equal opportunity. Let evening
schools be provided for middle-aget
women, widows, wives and spinsters
free or not as may be determined upon
A nominal fee, to cover expenses OF
light and heat, to maintain that indie
pcndencc which is vital in all true
charity. may be charged each student
Let telegraphy, shorthand, bool-keep
ing, pcnmanship, mathematics, dress
making, engraving, typesetting, etc.
be taught, and let the course be thor
oughly elective. Instructors may bt
volunteers from the more favored
classes, or salaricd women whose edu
cation and attainments have already
fitted them for the work. Woman
Journal.