The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-06
FOR FEMININE READERS
HOW THE WOMAN WHO WOULD BE
sqN BUSINESS, MUST CHOOSE.
Girl Who Can Chanee Her Dress
Quickly Is L~iked-The Newest
sIesves-~A Glass I'm Repartee.

so many avenues are now open 10
women is the stock argument Of those
who idly fancy that this makes things
easier says Helen Churchill Candee, in
sHow Women May Earn a Living" A a
matter OF fact, IT makes a choice far
harder. Years ago. when there were but
half a. dozen occupations that society sane
toned, the talented followed art. the practi-
cal took boarders and the well educated
taught school. 1t was easy to know which
Of these things suited the case. But now,
with a long list unfolded, there Is a feeling
OF confusion, which brings indecision and
indirecticn.
The making OF a choice is often all
summed up in this-that you shall choose
the occupation that best suits you. Some
other woman on whom you have your eye
may be doing something else. and you may
envy her; in fact. the further from your
scope Is her work the more enviously you
gaze. But you viii find on examination
that her success depends upon the work be-
ing suited TO the worker.
Now, go through a rigid ~self-examina-
tion and discover some one thing in which
you lave unconsciously shown some apt
ness before the necessity arose for you to
work seriously. Don't be too modest about
Ii and say despairingly: There is abso-
luteiy nothing I can do but examine your
self di~spassionately and critically. Per-
haps you have always attracted children,
have had a way with them, as the saying
goes. Then why not try a kindergarten?
You may have a quick and clever brush.
Then there are sketches OF all kinds, from
advertisements 10 magazine illustrations.
or your fancy may always have led in the
way OF method and mathematics, in which
case there are business opportunities-hum-
bic at first, but improving with your
growth. You might become a professional
housekeeper IL you know only home in
custrtes- Ones greatest handicap as a be-
ginner Is lack OF business training. but as
ISOLATION with workers will teach one the
necessity of such virtues as punctuality,
application and conscientious execution.
EVERY woman should realize hat health
Is her capital. II necessary, establish
health on a pedestal as q vengeful little
god who must be placated, and regard the
care OF him as an essential but impersonal
matter. IL you have no health. you can
not work; II you cannot work, then others
suffer. Therefore, attention TO health is
not selfish. Labor and rest are twins. and
respect OF health laws is quite different
from self-coddling. Mental health is as
necessary as physical, for IL cOnduces to
the latter; unless the worker goes cheerily
70 her task she becomes worn out. for it is
q detriment to have a mind troubled with
many things.
Another kernel OF advice is to be busi-
nesslike. There is a conviction among men
th2t women are unpunctual and irrespon-
efble. Solely because we are women we
must excel men in being businesslike, tina
We may mend a reputation which was &C
quired during the days of Adam and Eve.
II your labor demands your attendance at
a place OF business, never fail to appear.
Wcman's work at home is of the sort that
may be temporarily neglected without
much harm--and certainly no jealous rival
Is there whose fingers itch for a chance TO
do the neglected work. But in the world
where labor is salable material, hard.
practical people will not give money for il
unless IL is of the right quality.
Business may be congenial, but IL is not
taken up for fun, and those who become
paid workers must put away all thought
OF sex and realize that in a contract value
received relates TO both parties. One of the
promptness, another energy, another am
bition and an undying zeal that is willing
to sacrifice the lighter things of life and
expend al time and strength upon work.
"'What becomes of m social positions?
ask those who have not had their fill of
accustomed gayeties. The question settles
itself by change of taste. Caste is not lost
by earnest employment: the world of So
ciety Is not cruel enough to turn a woman
obvious duty. but she needs her time and
strength for her work, and so there comes
divergence of interest and separation from
all save the choicest friends. But the COM
pensation lies in the fact that the pleasures
OF labor are keener than those of Incidence
and the lives of workers are full and rich
past comprehending by the uninitiated."