The record-union., 1894-08-17
THE SUPBRFLUOUS WOMAN.
BeseIena's Opinion of Modern Society
Girls.
How They Are United by Training
for the Real Duties
of Life.

Especial Correspondence of REcoRD-UNIoN.l
PORTLAND orr. Aug. IA had just
returned from a round of fashionable
calls, ceremony, by the way, which
woman is called upon TO perform at least
once year, had taken off my very best
and swellest gown, and with a thankful
sigh, whether of relief from the before
mentioned gown or the duty just per-
formed l could not say, neither can
now; donned a loose tea gown, drew up a
small table just big enough for two and
proceeded to make the tea-that panacea
for all mortal ills and aches from feIni-
nine standpoint. Any way, there is great
solace in cup Of tea, as everyone would
tell you, and l am no exception to the
rule. As I poured the steaming bever-
age from the little brass teakettle into tne
dainty china cups. 1 loosed my tongue
and gave vent to the pent-up feelings
whfch had beset me all afternoon.
My listener, by the way. was a man. l
like TO have men around me, because
when you express your idea TO man
you have the comforting assurance OF
knowing that if he doesn't agree with you
himself he isn't going to run right down
To the club or some place and retail your
entire conversation for the editication OF
his private and particular cronIes
Women may do this, and some men, but
not all of them.
To-day" L commenced, looking at
the man over my teacup, Il have
net certain class of women of whom
the world is full and as yet of whom
little has been said. | mean the
superfluous woman. The woman who
lives solely for outside appearances; the
woman who buries her heart so far out
of sight that it dies for want of proper
nourishment, for hearts must be fed as
well as minds and bodies. The only dif-
ference is that the heart demands diff
ferent and more delicate mode of treat
ment. 1t isn't the fault of the superHu-
Gus woman that she hasn't heart; il is
the fault of her early training and the
fault OF society. From her cradle up
ward she has been taught that she must
get rich husband; in other words,
make a good match She must sell
herself Tor gold. In order to do this. she
has teachers and tutors galore; she has a
sinattering OF every accomplishment
under the sun drummed into her little
head. say smattering, because the SUI
per1lcial woman never does anything
thoroughly and never knows anything
thoroughly. After awhile she is ready
to come out. Then commences the sale
of herself, of which / spoke awhile ago.
The drawing-roOm of her mamma be-
comes a salesroom; the animated bit of
feminine goods is brought forth and be-
fore choice audience of eligible bidders
the auction is commenced, with the
mamma, who takes the place of auction
eer; and il she dared this is what she
would say:
'Gentlemen. here is choice bit of FEM
ininity for your inspection. As you see,
she is beautiful; she is gentle and attrac-
tive; she can sing, ETC., etc. She has an
excellent temper and is sound in wind
and limb. Now, gentlemen, who will
bid upon this beautiful creature Do
you think the days of slavery are over
yet. when mothers combine to sell their
own daughters like that?''
Here L paused from indignation and
want of breath, and helped myself to an
other cup of tea, while the man lit his
cigar, stretched his long legs out COM
fortably, lazily watched the rings of
smoke ascend skyward from his choice
HAVANA, and babe me go on. "Of
course the girl with her stock in trade of
varied accomplishments gains husband,
but she becomes a morbid. fretful
woman, She has been taught that to do
any one thing we'll Is little short of dis
grace, so she has nothing to comfort her,
nothing to do, but worry ever petty
trifies and gossip about her neighbors,
which not only makes her unhappy but
old-looking as well,' and then / stopped.
The man said nothing for awhile; then
he got up, shook himself and said: Bet
ter write that long sermon out and give
tito the world. l like it and think others
will, too"
So 1 followed his advice and sign it
with my name, BESELENA.