The St. Louis Republic., 1903-03-15
FOR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC.

WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC.
Many women do various kinds of literary
work. manage their households. perform So
cial duties. sew for themselves and their
children and do their share of church and
charity work. as we'll as If not better than
some of their idle sisters. and are happier.
because they have wider view and deeper
understanding of life.
All work and no play is bad, all play and
no work is worse. With knowledge of
proper appreciation of time, one can have
judicious amount of each, which means
well balanced life.
The expression that the busiest people
are the ones who have the most time IS
true, for they are masters in the art OF
utilizing IT to advantage.
The time has passed the need also. of
useless calling and of long afternoons of
idle gossip. from which oftentimes springs
more mischief than social enjoyment.
There comes a period in every woman's
life when she is restless and feels the need
OF a piece of the worlds work to do. She
has raised her children past baby age. has
Kept up her accomplishments. is a practical
housekeeper. quick sewer and has sys-
tematized daily life plan. Her spirit cries
out. Now is the time" and whether it is
music. art, literature or higher domestic
science / say, give her chance and fear
not. If she is of the right material she
will not become less womanly or less
charming.
The eyes of the wealthy society leaders
and devotees of fashion are full of longing,
and their faces in repose are bored ana
wearied with the sham of it all. If it were
not for the busy folk, many of them wom-
en-, the leisure class would be without the
means of amusement-no pictures. no books,
no plays and no fashions.
The woman who is happy in her work has
a keen. bright eye light step. warm hand
shake and general breezy. happy atmos-
phere about her.
There are two things that make even the
plainest woman blossom beautifully. and
they are true love for and of a good man,
and the other success in her chosen profess
sion.
If the wife has been writing, reading and
studying things pertaining to her work,
what a lot there Is to talk over when the
husband comes home to dinner. Things
also. that interest the children. and AFFORD
relief from the discussion of servants
shortcomings, doings of delinquent trades
men or the ''neighbors." which furnish the
only topics of conversation at SO many din
ner tables.
man should be happy and thankful that
his wife has found a congenial life OF
thought work to fill her spare hours, for II
makes her appreciation OF hts daily labor
greater and makes her less extravagant;
hence a better home-maker and dearer
companion.
Each soul must have time to develop it
self. II it does so through literary work,
creating imaginary lives Of happy or un-
happy people. 1t only makes the writer
more receptive and tender1y appreciative
of the great love which absorbs her own
life. AS for women dying OF heartache
after hysterical efforts to make the world
believe they are really great, 1t makes one
blush for ones sex to think SO; for, as a
matter of fact, many women stand defeat
better than men. Woman willingly makes
all sacrifices. of physical disadvantages. of
wifehood and motherhood, and ia supposed
to be cheerful and happy through It all. |
She does u. and II thsrA are . few hours