The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-30
Won EN- avn work..
Earnestnen and Exceilenee-Tsl,e Bar
riers.

The rich Of to-day may be the poor of
Tomorrow, and it Is absolutely necessary
for sclf-preservation that girls born in
affluent circumstances be taught some
trade or profession whereby, in case of
reverses. they may earn honest liveli-
moods. How many girls in society, If
thrown upon the world could earn five
dollars a week. Can they cook? Let
;heir own tables tell the sad and indl-
Ecstible tale. Are they good chamber
maids? How Is it possible, when going
up and down stairs gives them backaches?
lave they scientific knowledge Of the
p'anos over which they have wasted price
.ess hours? Have they thorough knowl-
Edge Of their own language? Does a
smattering of French qualify them for
aaching? All, | know all about II. /
AVE gone through the phases of early
luxury and subsequent battling with the
World. So keenly do ] feel the short
cominss of my own sex and the utter
misery consequent upon them that were
mother possessed of millions my
daughters should all be taught the indis-
pansable art of cooking and whatever
"rt, profession or trade for which they
risplayed aptitude, As a rule women are
:. competent workers, not because they
cave not the brains, but because they
re specifically educated The wonder
me Is that women do so well. consider
1g their miserable training and the ira
ditons Of society that are absorbed with
her mothers milk. 4 girls demoraliza-
ion begins with birth, and IS almost
thoroughly accomplished when she puts
al long dresses As baby she is made
30 look pretty; as a child at dancing
ehool, she hears about beaux and beau
y; at d1y-school there is much less men
al training than there is study Of style"
and vapid accomplishments. The conse-
HueDce Is that boys starting with no
Greater natural advantages than their
sisters, far outstrip them on arriving at
maturity. Nothing less than inherent ge-
Mus has saved the female sex from
driVcling idiocy. Nature has been so gen
croGs that it is about time common sense
ana education came TO its assistance
And, first of all, women in what IS
called society" must themselves learn.
and then teach their daughters to re-
spcct work, irrespectively OF sex Why
should the man merchant be socially well
come and the woman merchant socially
ostracised? Is il a virtue in Mr.. Stewart
20 sell dry goods and a crime I'm Mrs.
or Miss Blank 10 sell bonnets? A China
man would come TO this conclusion were
he looker-on in New York. Not long
ago | advised a young friend OF mine,
Eu'llfDly Ituuctu III circumstances, TO 70
INTO the millinery business. you have
exquisite taste / said; the occupation
: thoroughly womanly, if YOU please.
ladylike, and in few years you will
make more money than you can i'm any
other way" II dare say you are right"
replied my socety-ridden friend, but |
cannot bring myself to ii. My relativesI
and acquaintance would net speak 10
mo"
Browbeaten by tradition this young
woman went out as g0yerness. and a
sweet life she leads. being bullied by the
children and patronized by the parents
4 woman competent to superintend the
education of children ought to be treated
with distinguished consideration. but So
ccty thinks differently. win Christian
Associations take up this matter and
make working girls feel that they are TO
be honored, not pitied. because of their
ability TO earn bread? There is too much
patronizinS bestowed by the rich upon
the poor. Institutions like the Christian
Associations of this country are not chart
ties. They are only opponents Of IA duty
the wealthy owe 10 fellow-creatures in
less fortunate circumstances, and, excel
lent as many Of them are, they do not be-
gin TO cover the ground laid ont for them
When / see the self-sacrifce and patient
endurance OF delicate girls living honor