The record-union., 1893-07-08
"wHAT WOULD YOU Dos,'

In the Pisito1, journal published at
private hands, and devoted mainly to
literary subjects and to crafty the tastes
OF the proprietors for medium for free
expression in print, we find the follow
ing:
am the wife of a wage-earner living in
small town. My husband, in spite of habits
OF thrift and economy, owing to more or less
sickness and other mistortunes, has been un-
able to DO more than to earn for us bare liv-
ing. should he pass away, my daughter who
IS s and Is a graduate OF the grammar
school, and myself would be thrown upon our
own resources for support. Impelled as we
feel TO aid her to do that which in time of
need viii make her seltsuDpOrtfng we are i'm
doubt as to the wisest course to pursue
though she possesses more than average in
telligence, yet our lack OF means has not per-
nltted us to so educate her that she can hope
to earn living in the higher spheres of life.
We have before us, then. the choice OF let
ting her become domestic in "a private
family or OF permitting her to 20 to a larger
town or city, some of our neighbors have
permitted their daughters to do. and to seek
employment in some factory, store or Office.
Beng bright ana ambitious and Spurred on
by the examples of some of the young women
in the ne ghbOrnOOd who have been success
ful in the city and VINO occasionally visit
home, wearing city clothes and exhibiting
city manners, my daughter seems anxious to
follow in their footsteps, feeling confident that
she can be equally successful Though we
know her to be morally strong, yet we are
10th to let her pass beyond the paternal roof
fearing as we do the temptations which NAV
surround her in q larger place. On the other
hand, to retain her III home and to make of
her domestic, which is the only avenue of
employment our limited surroundings afford
seems like keeping her down ana preventing
her from making for herself a more import
ant place in the world. May ask that YOU
put yourself in my place, and tell me what
you would do?
AS the article is printed in slip form
also, and sent out to the press and society
for answer, we venture to respond to the
plant of the author of the question. We
would put that girl at domestic service in
some good family that she might learn
the arts of housewifery and displace a
Chinaman or Jap. And for these rea-
SONS: The success" of the girl in busi-
ness employment which the daughter
envIes is only seeming-it is not success;
in fact, it is a training away from the
home and all that goes to build those safe
guards of liberty.
That which seems" like keeping
QO"A AiO sAA4 OS pAdSADS 1SI III OOLQGSLlC
service is only seeming; it is not disgrace;
it is honorable. The difference between
the servant of the merchant who meas
ures tape for him and answers to roll
call at three or four dollars a week. and
pays as much for her lodging, making
her living expenses of other kinds
heaven only knows how, is the difference
between right and wrong living. AS to
the importance" of place in the world.
there is no more important place for the
woman than the home; in no other place
can she wear so noble a crown; in no
other invest herself with such majesty.
If we were so young as to seek in mar
riage again woman for life companion
ship, we would not, as we did not. 90 70
the shop, or the office, or the store, or the
market-place for wife; nor will any
man who thinks and puts reason along
with love into the balances. And here
we check the Indignation ofour opponents
on this subject, who will charge that in
the foregoing we have suggested infamy.
and libeled the working women who toll
behind counters and in the busy marts of
commerce. on the contrary. we respect
to the full measure of justice the pure,
good women who toll in the places Of
men, and their number is multitude. But
the others are legion who 60 the down