River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1905-06-15
A
CONVERSATION"
EMILY FRANCES SMITH

MISS HETT was on for Converse
IVI ton. She is the president of the
Brain and Muscle club, az 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 it in
a Conversation"
A club Conversation" is begun by the
person introducing it, 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 off 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"
Il 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 trifie annoyed.
a., fIae,
public press and elsewhere, arising out
of the question:: Shall 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.
ut 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 hoSae
and a natural woman prefers it; but
a home is not always available, nor is
it always an alternative of choice"
81 beg to submit that it is wholly a
question of choice with most women. =
objected Miss Peppert, suffragist who
had passed her first youth. She APP
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 target for censure. If she is
earning 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
I'VE 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 a 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 at
all, and is cheerfully dependent upon Il
male relative, she is pointed out as a
domestic barnacie and the victim of
her alleged selfshness becomes an OBJ
ject 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 a quixotic
notion that behind marriage there
should be a sentiment nobler than the
desire to better her condition and add
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. ST
am sure shall not think so when am
older"
Even if a 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 pencil on a
book 1T is a rule of this honorable
body that no member indulge in per-
sonalities." She focused a meaning
and malicious glance upon Mrs Hearst,
one of the principals in pending di-
vorce suit, and looked comfortably re-
Neved
'True," replied Miss Hett. 81 shall
have to impose upon you the maximum
penalty"
Mrs Hearst's eyes said: Thank you,
Miss President" A neutral smile fitted
through the audience.
Another point: A woman may not
always have a favorable opportunity to
marry. have observed that when she
takes lantern and goes looking for a
man he is about as easy to find as po-
iitical Office"