The age-herald., 1898-01-02
BAB CHATS ABOUT AN INTERESTING TYPE OF
 WOMANHOOD.

One type of woman has entirely dis appeared--that is the gentle old maid who had little income and was every bodys friend. To you she was Cousin Mary" to somebody else she was Aunt Molly" while somebody else. who had gone to school with her, called her Minnie" When there was long ill., ness she appeared on the scene and was the gentlest of nurses. who never grew weary and who never lost patience. At the time of a wedding she was on hand to help make the wedding cake to as- sist with the rousseau and to dress the bride. When Death knocked at the front door. she met him with all re- spect and reverence and allowed no strange hand to touch the dear dead one, while she was the only one whose voice could really console those in trou- ble. She begged pardon for the prodigal and was always ready to excuse any hu- man weakness. She had more friends than she could count. more homes than she could live in, and when she came to die everybody missed her. She was loved and respected, and if some young
 
 old maid it was in an apologetic tone. as if all mankind needed to be excused for not having discovered her perfec tions. This gentle creature. the friend of the entire family, has disappeared. and in her place is the energetic, bus tling independent bachelor woman. This woman is very much alone and so fond of speaking of her independence that one is. tempted to wonder whether she finds it as agreeable as she claims it Is. She is not willing to be one in the large family; not willing to be, as was the gentle old maid, the friend of many, but she seeks the much talked of inde- pendence, and. earning her own living, she stands quite alone. While she has huldr reds of acquaintances I am tempt ed to wonder if sine ever gets as much love as did her less highly educated predecessor whom she is inclined to scorn.
 The average woman of today being abnormal, yearns for a business career. Undoubtedly there are times when it is necessary, but nowadays too often that woman who has a good income thinks to be like a man and increase it. Miss Small Fortune who could live in comfort on Wndt was leIt her by her father and make herself an absolute necessity to all those bound to her by ties of blood, refuses to do this She lives in hotel and adds to her income in some special way. Now, it is all right if a woman has to earn her liv- ing. I respect her for it, and I applaud her ability if she can achieve it in some special, original and feminine way, but when it is not necessary. when it is simply an unwomanly desire to get out into the busy world l do not think any one who knows what woman ought to be, what side of her nature it is best to cultivate, should encourage her. The daughter of this rich man has taken up artistic gardening. The daughter of that rich man is furnishing several dairies with fresh milk and eggs. while 0 millionaire's daughter is managing a dancing class. Several women not only of good but of assured position are ready to manage your society book for you, and in this way tell you just who you should and should not have on your list How is this going to straight en itself out? Will there be survival of the Attest? Will there come q time when the woman who should earn her own living will do so quietly and hon estly, or will the unholy craze for money making come to an end? mean. of course. for unnecessary money mak-