Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-12-14
A
CONVERSATION"
BY
EMILY FRANCES SMITH

MISS HETT was on for a Converse
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, al
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 impairment 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 Il begins a movement"
q wonder" remarked Miss Palette, a
new member. arising Il wonder"-and
she was seized with stage fright and sat
down
I'VE all do, agreed several, sympa-
thetically
The president looked a triie annoyed
There has been much comment in the
public press and elsewhere, arising out
Of the question; Shall a woman work?
n SO. why? II not, why not? What for?
what's the use?"
II 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 a 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 / tell Harry" said the
little bride, getting up again The
ladies looked interested. The bride bit
her lips aud 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
Il always an alternative Of choice"
Il beg to submit that 1t Is wholly a
question Of choice with most women, "
objected Miss Peppert, a sunragist who
had passed her first youth. She APP
peared 20 be offended.
a woman may be Obliged" argued
Miss Hett. 80 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 a bread winner. she Immediately
becomes a target for ceusure. II she IS
earning a large salary"
Harry says that women don't earn
salaries; they receive then" put in the
ittlu bride
Your husband has made a represen-
/ tatlve statement said the president.
1 we win say. then. that # q woman is
receiving a large salary. &c Is claimed
that she is depriying an actual and
Wouil-be head aI a family of its only
and legitimate means Of support Ifshe
is receiving a small salary. 10 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
/ aIl and is cheerfUlly dependent uuou q
male relative. she Is pointed out as a
/ don lie baruaC'a and tha victim of
her alleged sgIi-hufss becomes an OBJ
Ieat oi solleitous sympathy IN either
case. it IFS wondered that she doesn't
gel out oI The way hy setting married
I and usually when she can she does and
wants Go. lui there are instances where
I she doesn't want ta. and hasa ruiyaf.r
notion that behind maraa-r there
] should Zee sentiment aaEIsr than Tho
desire co better Ear condition and ada
I .a hag later years .ha dignity rr ra-rar-
hood. what is poor woman aa.re
I .a #aE7
Every H1IE" uuruurlI lHsz De-
/ Waite. q a.eEu-rs
There IS mo irlI-ui.E u being ur.
married. protested lIizs Perrert =
ara sure shall Har think So when 4 ana
older
Even f woman Be MT sensitive
about her a-e said tae president
I "5a.eafrHa rafrHf. s