The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-15
The Southern Woman.

New York Sun.
In the typical Southern household the
masculine factor is the pivot about which
everything else revolves The masculine
factor may be represented by mere youth
of seventeen, may be only baby boy or
may be an infirm great uncle or irritable
guardian or grandfather; it is all the same.
Whether husband, cousin, brother-in-law
son or even relation by courtesy, the male
factor predominateS.
I'VE would rather not have breakfast so
late Sunday mornings; it makes us get to
church late, but Uncle Billy never break
fasts before half-past g. and he likes us
all to be at the table" said a young South
ern woman in relating a household incident
to the writer.
but I should prepare everything nicely
for him and leave his breakfast with the
cook, and consult my own convenience, -
And leave him to breakfast alone, the
only day he has to himself?'
The tone and manner with which this
was said showed plainly that such a solu-
ton of the problem was utterly impossi-
BILE. The Uncle Billy alluded to was not
a vital factor in the household. His or
phan nieceS owned their home. and he SIM
ply lived with them and upheld the family
dignity. You may be sure that his room
was the sunniest and most accessible IN
sitting room fire a Veritable harbOr of COM
fort with slippers and well-tlled tobacco
appliances kept always near at hand.
In a Southern city where it is against
convention for women to be out after night
fall without escorts a party wishing to go
church or to visit or to walk, and, having
no man to call on, bOrrowS some small
nephew or cousin or neighbor for the pur-
pose no matter how young or immature he
may be. and sets off, satisfied now that
this masculine shape attends it.
"Why do you not go out? The fresh air
will do you good, was urged once on Sis
ters scarcely over the first shock of be-
reavement.
I'VE haven't decided about our mourning
yet 1t is not made up"
well, why not decide? 1t is suicidal for
you to stay so close indoors"
well. the mantua maker suggests four
inch crepe border for our Henrietta gowns
and Louisa thinks it would be nicer 10 have
them plain. Brother Tom is TO come on
again from Atlanta soon, and he Will decide
for us.
decided in favor of plain bordered Henriet-
tas, but. having wife and large family of
his own TO care for, il is possible that he
does not give the serious consideration to
the matter that il deserved. His three sis
tiers. however, one of whom held his gloves
and hats, while another rubbed an obstinate
spot off his vest and listened breathlesSly
to his account of his last attack of neural
gi;. felt sure that there could be no other
brother in ths world half so kind and SYM
pathetic, and interesting. Family ties are
strong in the South.
In the same city there is a middle-aged
woman to whom maturity mas brought. ap-
parently. only additional charm. Hers is a
beautiful nature, but she has never mar
rled and why? Because the man of al
others whom she cared for long ago heI
brother did not like He was n good enough
man as men go. There We're no fundamen-
tai objections TO his character or social
standing but her brother did not like him
so she gave him up. There are traces OF
such giving up dscenible about many
other Southern women to-day.
Acquiescence TO masculine authority does
not desert the Southern woman, even when
she is a grandmother, or. perhaps. a great
grandmother. Her pride in her son s praise
of her new gown or cap is almost girlish,
and her face fushes with pleasure when he
tucks the carriage robes tenderly about her
and expresses concern as 10 whether her
afternoon sun.
Don't drive fast. Tony. mother does not