The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-07-09

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CHAPTER v.-(CoNT1NUED).
ut is very welcome invasion.
ha'am." said he. clearing his throat
and pulling at his high collar. TRY
this garden chair. What Is there that
I can do for you? Shall ring and let
Mrs. Denver know that you are here?"
pray do not trouble, Admiral.
only looked in with reference to our lit
tie chat this morning. wish that you
would give us your powerful support
at our coming meeting for the improve
ment of the condition of woman"
mo. ma'am. I can't do that" He
pursed up his lips and shook his griz-
Fled head.
"And why not?"
against my principles, ma'an."
"But why?"
Because woman has her duties and
man has his. may be old-fashioned.
but that is my view. Why, what Is
the world coming to? I was saying to
DR.. Walker only last night that we
Shall have woman wanting to COM
mand the Channel Fleet next"
THAT is one Of the few professions
Westmacott, with her sweetest smile.
''Poor woman must still look to man for
protection"
II don't like these new-fangled ideas.
ma'am. I tell you honestly that I
don't. I like discipline, and think
every one is better for it. Women have
got great deal which they had not in
the days Of our fathers. They have
universities all for themselves, am
told. and there are women doctors.
hear. Surely they should rest content
ed. What more can they want?"
You are sailor, and sailors are al
ways chivalrous. If you could see how
things really are, you would change
your opinion. What are the poor things
to do? There are so many Of them and
90 few things to which they can turn
their hands. Governesses? But there
are hardly any situations. Music and
drawing? There is not one in fifty who
has any special talent in that direction.
Medicine? It is still surrounded with
difficulties for women. and 1t takes
many years and a small fortune to
qualify. Nursing? It is hard work Ill
paid, and none but the strongest can
do then, Admiral? Sit down and
1tarve?"
''Tut, tut! It is not so bad as that"
''The pressure is terrible. Advertise
for lady companion at ten shillings
week, which is less than cooks wage,
and see how many answers you get.
There is no hope, no outlook, for these
struggling thousands. Life is dull,
sordid struggle. leading down to a
cherries old age. Yet when we try to
bring some little ray Of hope, some
chance, however distant, of something
better. we are told by chivalrous gen.
tlemen that 1t is against their princi-
pies to help
The Admiral WINGED. but shook his
head in dissent.
'There is banking, the law, veterin-
ary surgery. government offices. the
civil service, all these at least should
be thrown freely open to women. If
they have brains enough to compete
successfully for them. Then If woman
were unsuccessful 1t would be her own
fault. and the majority Of the popula-
ton of this country could no longer
complain that they live under differ
ent law to the minority, and that they
are held down in poverty and serfdom,
with every road to independence sealed
to Them
What would you propose to do.
ma'am?"
ITO set the more obvious injustices
right, and SO to pave the way for re-
form. Now look at that man digging
In the field. I know him. He can
neither read nor write, he is stepped in
whisky. and he has as much intelli-
4ence as the potatoes that he is dig
Ging. Yet the man has a vote, can pos
Sibly turn the scale Of an election, and
may help to decide the policy Of this
umpire. Now. to take the nearest ex-
ample, here am I, woman, who have
TAD some education. who have Travelled,
and who have seen and studied the in
Stitutions Of many countries. hold
considerable property. and pay more
In imperial taxes than that man spends
In whisky. which is saying great deal,
and yet have no more direct influence
upon the disposal Of the money which
pay than the fly which creeps along
the wall. Is that right? Is it fair?"
The Admiral moved uneasily in his
chair. yours Is an exceptional case"
said he.
But no woman has voice. Consider
that the women are a majority in the
aation. Yet II there was question of
legislation upon which all women were
agreed upon one side and all the men
upon the other. It would appear that
he matter was settled unanimously
vhen more than half the population
we're opposed to It. Is that right?"
Again the Admiral wriggled. It was
very awkward for the gallant seaman
70 have a handsome woman opposite
TO him. bombarding him with questions
TO none Of which he could find an an
Swer. Couldn't even get the tompions
cut Of his guns" as he explained the
matter to the Doctor that evening.
Now those"are really the points that
We shall lay stress upon at the meet
ing. The free and complete opening Of
the professions, the final abolition of
the zenana I call It,. and the franchise
TO all women who pay Queens taxes
above a certain sum. Surely there is
nothing unreasonable in that. Nothing
which could offend your principles. We
lhall have medicine law and tho