Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-09-06
WOMEN OF CANADA.
They ARE GOOD HOUSEKEEPERS AND
ARE FAMOUS FOR COURAGE.

Bono Arc Literary, but None of Them Cares
Much For Politics-They Go In For Out.
door Recreation and Frequently Meet
With Thrilling Adventures.
Canada is land of happy home life.
1t Is often objected that the Canadian
woman Is too much absorbed In her house
hold duties; that she lays aside her music
and other accomplishments after marriage
and does not continue to Improve her
mind" There is truth In the criticism.
Limited means and many responsibilities
sometimes compel the sacrifice; but, on the
other hand, some Canadian women are
notably good housekeepers and find time
for mental culture. Canadian girls now
attend the university extension courses.
The Canadian woman has not yet made
many contributions to literature. The
works OF Agnes Machar, of S. +. Harri
son, OF Sara Jeanette Duncan, author OF
IA Social Departure" and other books, and
Of Lily Dougal, author Of .'Beggars ALP
and what Necessity Knows, " have earned
regulations beyond the borders of the Do
Iminion. The Canadian girl Is permitted
more freedom and independence than her
English cousin, and, like her American
neighbour she uses this freedom without
abusing 1t.
The native Canadian is generally a
faithful servant. Such servants often live
many years with one family. A woman
had been cook in family for more than
20 years. She was dying in Toronto; her
old mistress was living in Winnipeg.
Are you happy" asked her nurse. Il
am comfortable. You have been very
kind, but long to see the face Of my dear
Mrs p. before | die. =" A telegram was
sent to Winnipeg, and the mistress set out
at once to give hcr old faithful servant
that last consolation.
The Canadian girl at home knows how
10 enjoy herself In winter she goes to
skating, snowshoeing, sleighing and to-
bogganing parties and she delights in
dancing, music and private theatricals.
In summer she rows, rides and swims.
She spends much time out of doors at pic
mics and in camping out A married
woman must accompany the camping par
ty as chaperon; but, If possible, the girls
choose one whose spirits have not been
much weighted by household cares. The
fact that the girl must sometimes do her
share of tho work of household does not
interfere with her amusements. She dis
poses of her work and is free for her play.
She can often 'swim like fish," A
young man and his bctrothed were on a
vessel that took fire. While the girl look
ed for means of escape for herself and 9th
ers, the man dashed past her and leaped
overheard. AS he sprang he exclaimed
as il suddenly reminded of his RESPONSE
bilities joan, you can swimH' Joan
swan She struck out boldly for the shore
md arrived there The young man met
her and offered his congratulations They
were received coldly-so coldly that no
went hotelward to warm himself Joan
is still single The man was not Cana
dian.
The girl is generally brave and some
times recklessly venturcsome. A girl OF
Is years cxcelled rs an oarswoman. One
day her father. returning from his office,
saw n crowd on the bank Of the lake and
went to ascertain the cause. In tho dis
tance was dark line that suggested an
outriggcr cutting its way through the
rough water
why did you let her have it?" asked
AN excited young 1uan of the builder, who
bad boats for hire.
She said she must have it, and every
one knows that what Miss Audrey says
she will have she do havel'
Miss Audrcy1' The father shuddered.
Was 1t possible that his young daughter.
Audrey, was two miles from shore in an
outrigger-a frail shell In which prac-
ticcd oarsman only would be comparative
ly safe in that rough water? Audrey
reached the shore safely. She was disturb
ed by her fathers anxiety, but greeted
him with apparent unconcern.
II had no idea that should cause sem
sation," she said "Hanlan's sister rows
an outrigger, and IL any other woman can
why shouldn't II" But the adventurous
spirit of youth is now subdued and trans
formed to force which often enables the
sed.tc matron to cope with many difficult
ties
In the early spring OF the year of the
northwest rebellion young married wom-
an, who had been brought up in n luxu-
rious home in Ontario, was alone in her
prairie cottage with two babies. 1t was
necessary for her to convey some informa-
tion to "a household four miles away, and
there was not q white woman between her
and that house She harnessod her horse
and set out with her babies. There was a
bridge over n small lake or pond, but an
Indian stood on it. She thought the horse
would shy ut him, SO tried to drive across
the pond, supposing tho ice would bear
the weight About the middle the horse
broke through. He extricated himself,
overturned the sleigh, got loose and ran
of. Carrying both children and wading
through snow waist high, tho young wom-
an made her way to her destination.
Far from being dishoartened by her adj
ventures, she said; "Of course was anx-
ious about the horse and the children, but
/ had to sit down in the snow and laugh
when ! wondered what my friends ut
home would think il they could see mo
with ono baby hanging round my neck
and the other tucked in my skirts"
Despite tho rigors of winter and the heat
of summer tho Canadian woman has gen
orally good constitution. She suffers less
from dyspepsia than her American neigh
Dor. for she takes more outdoor exercise
and less pie and hot bread, but she is not
SO robust in appearance MS her British
cousin. As rule, unless she is personally
interested in some statesman, sho takes
little interest In politics and is not as well
informed on political questions as the
English woman or the American. But,
though not a politician, she Is a patriot.
f.,x L.. fy,.,