The Washington herald., 1907-08-13
FROM WOMAN'S
POINT OF VIE w

I presume that 1t is something OF a
comfort TO be able to do many things.
but when Il comes TO question Of mon
ey-getting. a speciality is the best pay
ing proposition. It pays TO be able to
do some one thing so well as to create
a demand for ones services, like a case
I know where a man could have continu-
Gus work If there were ten times 36j
days in the year He is very valuable
about the house and grounds. and large
number Of families know It. Unfortu-
nately he is not 10 be depended upon OH
account Of his weakness for strong drink.
so he is not as prosperous as he might be.
took supper the other night az a res
taurant whose normal head was woman.
could imagine her value to the pro-
prietor as ! watched her going from
table to table. attending to the little de-
tails Of good serving which the careless
mattresses neglected. was told that she
had been brought up 10 the business and
that she was managing a hotel for her
self in a little city, when she came TO
the notice Of a man who was keen
enough 70 appreciate her and make II
wortll ler while to change. She has ac-
cumulated money enough to allow her
to retire. but she will probably remain
in harness as long as the work = no
burden to her.
It would be better for women II they
gave their undivided attention TO their
life work as do men, hiring others TO do
it for therl. Imagine a business man at
tempting TO make his clothing, or even
repair f.; and think of the women who
finish hard day IN a business place
with hours Of mending. There is where
we lose as a sex-we do not know how
TO spare ourselves, and have not learned
true economy. which consists in hus-
banding strength and nerve force at the
sacrifice Of some money.
I believe that It is quite possible to
hire somebody to DO everything 1t may
require some searching, but what of that?
Women who have time in abundance
may be expected to put 1t to many uses.
but the wage-earner does quite enough
in performing the work for which she
is paid, and does It better for being
spared the strain Of outside tasks. I
have seen too many women with frayed
nerves and strained faces not to realize
the gravity Of wasted effort
If We did not attempt to do so many
things for ourselves, there would be work
for women who are in sore need of 1t.
There are women who would like to do
mcnding for reasonable pay; women who
could trim hates at ones home, charging
by the hour; women to press tumbled
garments and do the numberless other
tasks Of living. I have often wondered
why some clever woman has not an
preached me with q scheme Of acting as
ladies' maid to more than one woman
syndicating herself, so to speak. BY
spending one day week with each patron
she could earn a better living than by
conhning her service to one.
have been asked to start a host OF
women on the road TO prosperity, but
they have been generally incompetent.
Some patrons would not have them at
any price, ard others would expect to pay
very little for such service. A little col
ored girl was a notable exception. for she
quickly proved her ability and established
e clientele that gave her a good income.
She understood shampooing and the treat
ment OF the hands and face, and only
needed start in the right direction TO
make her Independent. I heard of a
woman one day who washed blankets so
beautifully that more demands than she
could meet were made upon her time and
services. Why should she do anything
e-Sst BETTY BRADEEN.