The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-04-16

In the first place. women are too busy.
They always cut out more than they can
accomplish and go on the principle that
there are at least twenty seven hours In
every day. II their work were purely sell
fish one could condemn them unreservedly
But as a rule big share Of it is done for
others. Had the ordinary woman sense
of proportion she would that some
times she does more for those about her
when she does less, so to speak. In other
words, II she would spare herself little
there would be a likelihood that she would
be able to stand for more In her family
and social life. But this Is something
that Is hard for her to learn.
A woman almost always means we'll. If
she didn't there would be more chance
foc her. She might be converted from the
error of her ways. But her ways are so
good that there seems ground for criti-
cism. Yet even while she justifies herself
in her course of overwork she feels that
something Is wrong somewhere. l. heard
one woman voice the opinion OF many not
very long ago.
II have so much to fill my hands," she
said. IT work all day and have compare
lively little time to be with the children.
And when the active employments are out
OF the way and I want to give myself to
my family there is nothing left worth
giving"
There Is the trouble. The woman
breaks herself down by over exertion In
some good object. She does not take time
to preserve her health. She wears her
nerves to what Is popularity known as a
"frazzle" and then she takes medicine to
build herself up.
On the ground of '1ive and let live' her
attitude and action might be justified. For
what would become of quacks and patent
medicines II 1t were not for the women?
Men patronize these, too. but after all. the
women. with their generous confidence
that there is a panacea for every evil I'M
der the sun, are the best patrons Of pro-
prletary remedies. I have said that
women lack sense Of proportion. In moth
ing do they display this more than in the
faith that they can labor for years to
make themselves physical wrecks and
then restore themselves to health and
strength by few bottles Of some we'll ad-
vertised heal ali. If they could once have
II borne in upon them that earth bears
no balsam for mistakes" that 1t takes
longer to climb UP hill than 1t does to run
down and that 1t Is easier to keep well
than to get we'll they would have made q
long stride towards health and happiness.
OF course it might not be so interesting'
There are still plenty Of women who "en-
Joy poor health" If they did not have
something the matter with them. what
would there be to talk about? They would
have lost one Of their most absorbing top
les of conversation. Moreover. they would
miss the delight we all know In being
worse off than our neighbors. Every one
who has read 1.-THE Mill on the Floss re-
calls the pride Mrs. Pullet felt in the
amount Of physic she had taken. a pride
which her husband shared.
''Pullet keeps all my physio bottles y
said Mrs. Pullet. HE won't have one
sold. He says is nothing but right folks
should see 'em when I'm gone They fill
two of tho long store-room shelves al
ready. The pill boxes are in the closet in
my room-but there's nothing to show for
the boluses, II 1t Isn't the bills"
The American husband may not be quite
so complacent about his wife's physic REQ
ord as was Mr.. Pullet, but there are plenty
of women who openly or unavowedly
cherish the same modest pride as to their
doctors and druggists bills.
Apart from this class are women who
are so busy at their various avocations
that they do not take proper care OF
themselves ST never know am tired IN
til I break In two In the middle" heard
woman say once. There are many like
her. When the breaking in two comes
it is natural that the victim should turn
to what palliatives she can find and en-
deavor to repair damages by drugs.
Not for a moment would I criticise the
physician or belittle the advantages OF
medicines. But 1t Is much better to KEEP
we'll In the first instance, OF If one can
to bring oneself up after one Is run down