The record-union., 1893-11-20
WOMEN'S PRATFLE.
What SOme of Them Talk About
Over Their Tea.
Beselena Reports the Brainy Proceed
ings of Gathering of Ladies
Up in Seattle.

that make the pedestrian get under
some pleasant warm shelter to rest him
self before a blazing fire, drink cup of
good strong tea, as the Cinnamon do,
without milk or sugar, and at the same
time listen to the latest news, and be re-
galed on the very last piece Of choice
scandal from the lips of Mrs. Busybody,
who, some way or another, always man
ages to get in even the most select circles.
This wasn't one Of those swell crush
affairs, where everybody goes to see
what everybody has on, to see how Mrs.
Blank conducts herself after her divorce,
and to take peep at that dreadful Miss
Flirt, who they say is going with mar
ried man. No, this was just quiet affair
of nine intimate friends-all men ex-
cluded. The young married woman was
there who talked of nothing but Charles
eyes; and the other married woman was
there who had gone that period once her.
self and knew all about 1t. Then the chill
dren distracted her attention, but now
the children were all grown up, and she
and Charlie were enjoying a second
honeymoon, only on a more subdued and
quiet plan.
OF the girls there was, first, the big,
goodnatured girl, who made you feel in
stinctively that you could go to her II you
were ever in trouble, and that you could
rely on her for help and assistance. She
giggleS lncesSantly, but 1t was good
natured giggle, big and broad, like her.
self. In fact, that little giggle was just
her charm; you'd be sorry TO see her lose
it, for it showed how happy and care-free
and good-natured she really was.
Then there was the girl with the big,
deep voice, who made you jump when
4
you meekly accepted all she said as goS-
pei truth-at least you let her think you
did-for fear she'd argue the question in
those basso prOfundo. tones of hers. The
thought would come up in your mind
that nature made mistake by making
her girl. Nature made the voice first,
and then, as sort of after-cOnsideraton,
and under the order of things, girl to tit
the voice.
Then there was the quiet girl, who sat
In the corner and said nothing, but
looked profoundly wise; and the indus
trlous girl, who brought her sewing, and
between her stitches slipped tea and occa-
sionally gave vent TO sage remark.
This girl will make some man a good
wife some day. She is neat and indus
trious, and some day her affinity will
appear and carry her away, and then all
the other fellows will wonder how they
could have been SO blind to her merits.
Then there was the jolly girl, who en-
tertained everybody else, told funny
stories that made even the serious girl
smile, and quite convulsed the girl who
giggled.
The eccentric girl was there, too. She's
always getting up new fad, and period
ically shocks her nelghbors by her freaks.
The minister had given her up long ago;
he doesn't even pray for her now, at
least she says so. Her very latest fad is
10 wear short Bloomer costume with a
very short skirt, high boots and leggings.
Needless to say her hair is short. She
says she thinks Of giving up skirts alto
gether and donning trousers like DIR.
Mary Walker. She is quite eloquent on
the subject of dress reform for women,
and is anxious to make converts. 1
don't think the nineteenth century quite
sympathizes with DR.. Mary, yet the
twentieth century may be more enlight-
ened.
In such motley gathering there were
great many things discussed, but the
all-important one of whether women
were capable of satisfactorily filling mems
positions; whether, if part of woman s
apparel became disarranged in the street
it would be good form for another woman,
an utter stranger, to inform the first
named woman of the fact.
The eccentric girl and the girl with the
deep voice didn't see why womens S
brows shouldn't sweat with labor, both
mentally and physically, as well as a
mans. "If the woman is capable of
earning her living, let her do it," spoke
up one of these strong minded damsels.
women need money as much-yes, and
more, too-than the men,"
"But, suppose this woman really
doesn't have to earn her own living, and
that she is taking someone else's place
that of some man you know who has a
family to support, and with whom every
penny counts. Don't you think such
women ought not to work?"
This remark came from the quiet girl.
''If she is capable of labor she should not
be idle" answered the strong-minded
maiden sententiously. 81 work, and
don't feel guilty about it, either. Pm
proud of being able to earn my own liv-
ing and of being able to fight the battle of
life alone. unaided by a man. I wish
l could express the tone in which she
said man. 1t really fatigues my spirits
most horribly to see women depending
upon the male members of society for
everything under the sunh Why don't
they go forth and do as l do?" And the
eccentric girl eyed the two buttons of her
CATERS critically.
There was pause; dead, cold frost
fell upon us, because the majority of US
didn't agree with her sentiments in the
creatures who have strong convictions
which no power on earth can shake. We
knew this from sad experience, so re-
trained from argument.
For q while all was silent, and the tick
ing of the little French toy on the man
tlepiece became oppressiyely loud.
The young married woman finally
spoke, and just as she opened her lips we
all looked at her gratefully. Said she:
Il saw Miss Prlm on the street to-day.
She wore her now winter suit, and looked
too awfully stylish and pretty for any,
thing; but just as she passed me l saw
she had forgotten to tie the strings of her
jacket, and they were hanging down her
back, quite spelling her tout ensemble.
Had l known her l should of course have
told her, but you see | didn't quite like to
speak to a stranger
"Well, should have told her." spoke
up the other married woman with de-
cision. Il think it would have been an
act of kindness. We would all hate to
have the same thing happen to us, and l
for one would be very glad and grateful,
if there was anything wrong with my
dress, If someone would come and tell
ME, and l think every other sensible
woman feels as / do. Some women
wouldn't tell you just because they are
jealous and think you look better than
they do, and they secretly rejoice that you
eA 70 oea1 VI 6OoA ooulSM MAoIS. AdNS AO
patience whatever with such women
they are too mean and petty to be even
considered!' and the little woman took a
long sip of tea to quench her indignation.
We all agreed with her, and then we
made compact that the next time we see
q sister on the street with anything wrong
In her dress we would not allow faulty
sense of delicacy to hold us back, but
that we would go up to her and politely
inform her of the fact. Anyway. [ know
of one who would be grateful for such a
favor, and you know her, too, for she is
BESELENA.
Seattle, Wash, November 10th,