Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-01-19
WORK OF SINGLE WOMEN.

Their Way suocessrs Have Given Enoour-
Rgement to others OF Their Ser.
The highest possible encouragement
~ 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 choice of
those most worthy Of notice. There Is
one name which every American boy
and girl, with thousands OF other ma.
tons 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
it. RACES. is her name an inspiration to
effort The story Of her life, as written
by Mrs. Cheney, Is far more eloquent
aud 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 mem
| tai and physical pain was hidden-these
weave the charm which binds tho
| Lcarts of the multitude. and especially
OF womankind, TO Louisa Alcott Her
life Is n story which every single wom-
an especially should read for the inspr-
| alton that breathes from every chapter
| Miss Alcott did not dash gloriously into
fame at single effort, as Minerva APP
pcared, fully equipped, from the head
o Jove. We read of the petty sums Of
fered for her fra 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 shrank from the burden
of supporting the family 1T home until
the weary hand cold no longer hold the
pen. As daughter and sister she first
excelled- The day of her fame was
l
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 dcters many
from following in this path. ''Ad as
tra," in its literal sense, Is difficult
motto, but Miss lIarschel, n gentle,
delicate, modest htJ,e German woman,
and Maria Mitchell, the bright Nam
tucket girl, e,. IN OF whom first became
known by the discovery Of d comet,
solved many difficult astronomical
problems, made valuable discoveries
lived 10 advanced age Miss Herschel
dying at the age OF n,netyreight, and
both lived singularly happy, enthusi'
astic lives, devoted TO science, and YET
not forgetful OF isomany virtues.
"Born OF only Ordinary capacity, but OF
extraordinary consistency" says Miss
Mitchell OF herself, ~ did not quite
take this to myself until came to min
gle with the best girls Of our college
aud to be aware how rich their mine'
are, and how little they have beer
worked"
Florence Nightingale, Dorothea Dix
and Sister Dora were not more brave
nor more truly devoted 10 the cause o
suffering humanity, than are Thousand
of their sisters all over the world. Blu
to the record OF their unBelfish lives an'
beautiful character the world Ii indebt
ed for the success Of thousandsvf othe
nurses, prison reformers, and philan
thropists of every name. Had any o
these women followed the usual lot o
woman, and in some sheltered hom
worked out the problem, the swee
p-oblem OF family life, their snccss
would, no doubt have been as sure an
rs blessed, but the world would hav
missed the heart-stirring example
which have helped many woma
since, aud Berved her hands to nobl
deeds In every time u war or pest
Z lence or special need some Florenc
q Nightingale, another Sister Dora,
Is found equal TO the emergency, and NOR
70 easily found because these have live
55r and wrought And the single woman
30 by reason % her freedom from Tamll,
y, ties, can often go where her marrie
Al sister is unable 10 follow.
ne The world OF art, of music, and o
~ literature is rich in the names of singl
Is. women whose work is honored Ros
~ Bonheur is happy woman as sh
~ peiEes her brush and transfers 10 car
g vas some rnEe, bslqyed form OF anime
d life. Anne Whitney, Harriet Hosnel
es and many lesser names represent III
w work of woman in enduring marble
4 In the literary world, notable names Q
famous single women are numerous
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