Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-08-31
CONVERSATION K
EMILY FRANCES SMITH

wi ton. She Is the president OF the
Brain and Muscle club, an organization
devoted to the emancipation and higher
education of woman. When a question
arises that has to be decided right, at
one session, Miss Hett disposes of 1t in
a Conversation"
A club Conversation" is begun by the
person introducing 1t, punctuated by
questions and interrupted by discus
sions pertinent and impertinent, and
terminated by the woman who has the
last word.
Miss Hett arose and took OF her
glasses. The members assumed atti-
tudes of pleased attention. She began,
For several years the Brain and Mus
Gle club has noticed that just preceding
the first of May the subject: Woman:
her work and her wage breaks out all
over town in spots no larger than Chi
cago"
why the first Of May?" asked Miss
Thomas.
Presumably because that is moving
time" volunteered Miss Peppert.
Anyway, it begins movement"
~ wonder" remarked Miss Palette, a
new member, arising, 81 wonderland
she was seized with stage fright and sat
down.
1--WE all do" agreed several, sympa-
thetically.
The president looked trife annoyed.
There has been much comment in the
public press and elsewhere, arising out
of the question: Shall a woman work?
If so, why? If not, why not? What for ?
What's the use?'"
81 want to tell you what Harry said,
interrupted the little bride, as she had
so often done before that "Harry's" OBJ
servations had ceased to be popular
She collapsed before battery OF hostile
glances, and the president ignored her
1T is much easier to say what should
be than what must be-" continued Miss
Hett.
That's what l tell Harry" said the
little bride, getting up again. The
ladies looked interested. The bride bit
her lips and sat down.
Miss Hett put on her glasses. "a
woman's natural sphere is the home
and a natural woman prefers it; but
a home is not always available, nor is
it always an alternative Of choice"
II beg to submit that it is wholly a
question of choice with most women, u
objected Miss Peppert, suffragist who
had passed her first youth. She ap-
peared to be offended.
"a woman may be Obliged" argued
Miss Hett, Ito enter the commercial
arena TO win sustenance for depend.
ents, or, more fortunately, to secure her
own maintenance. Whatever worthy
motive may force or induce her to be-
come bread winner, she Immediately
becomes a target for censure. II she is
earning a large salary"
Harry says that women don't earn
salaries; they receive them" put in the
little bride.
"Your husband has made represen.
tative statement" said the president
1--WE will say, then, that If a woman is
receiving large salary, it is claimed
that she is depriving an actual and
would-be head of a family Of its only
and legitimate means Of support. If she
is receiving small salary, it is urged
that the fact of her doing so is tend
ing to reduce the wage scale. On the
other hand, if she receives no salary al
all, and is cheerfully dependent upon q
male relative, she is pointed out as a
domestic barnacle and, the victim OF
her alleged selfshness becomes an OBJ
feet of solicitous sympathy. In either
case. it is wondered that she doesn't
get out of the way by getting married
and usually when she can, she does, and
wants to; but there are instances where
she doesn't want to, and has quixotiC
notion that behind marriage there
should be a sentiment nobler than the
desire to better her condition and ado
to her later years the dignity of matron'
hood. What is poor woman going
to do?"
Everybody" murmured Miss De-
Waite, a stenographer.
There is no indignity in being un
married" protested Miss Peppert. 90
am sure shall not think so when | an
older"
Even If woman be not sensitive
about her age" said the president
beaming mildly upon Miss Peppert
"and would enter matrimony as she
would any other business contract"
Mrs. Van Bib raped a pencil on {
book. ut is a rule Of this honorable
body that no member indulge in per-
sonaliues." She focused meaning
and malicious glance upon Mrs. Hearse
one of the principals in pending di
vorce suit, and looked comfortably re
lieved.
True" replied Miss Hett, Il shall
have to impose upon you the maximum
penalty"
Mrs. Hearst's eyes said: THANK you
Miss President. A neutral smile fiitte'
| through the audience.
Another point: A woman may no
always have favorable opportunity Il
marry. | have observed that when sh