The Washington herald., 1908-03-01

partner Their practice advanced by
strides and leaps. Then suddenly their
offices at ia Nassau street were closed
In their cozy home at 10 Kenmore
place. Brooklyn. Mrs Whitney is closing
up all legal matters now in hand and re-
fusing all new business offered to her
After less than half decade Of married
life she stands shoulder to shoulder with
President Eliot a convert 10 the theory
that the best in woman should go to the
rearing OF children. This woman. 70
whom most brilliant career was assur-
ed. who. il was prophesied. could attAin
any position In Her chosen profession.
says, with the president os Harvard, that
woman's highest duty TO hsr country
her race. and the universe is good mother
hood.
Baby at Typewriter
The writer found her in -the Office" a
large square room on the second floor Of
her Brooklyn home At her typewriter
sat sonny" a wonderfully clever baby OF
two years ard ten months. who was tink-
ling the keys OF the typewriter in what
was to him perfectly legibie message
for Daddy, dear, TO come home" His
mother and her secretary were sorting
out legal papers. one step in the task in
closing her heretofore brilliant career.
and Mrs. Whitney was smiling. as II
closing a brilliant career was one OF the
most agreeable tasks allotted 20 woman.
Marriage and motherhood have softened
the lines OF Rosalie Loew Whitney's face.
They have brought a curve 20 her chin.
warmer light To her big eyes which
sometimes seem hazel and sometimes
brown. Her movements. which in the old
DAYS Ak the Legal Aid rooms. were quick
and nervous. are now more deliberate
and infinitely more graceful and gracious.
But they have not lessened the keenness
Of her wit. the sharpness Of her percep-
ton
She detached her ambitious son from
the typewriter. sent him away with the
youthful secretary, and continued her re-
marks about President Ellot's famous
speech.
Retracts Former Statement.
ITO be personal. and perhaps therefore
a trihe more convincing. not so many
years ago. and shortly after my marriage
with Mr.. whitney I was interviewed by
the World on this same topic, and with
the bravado OF incxperience. 1 announced
that l would not permit matrimony 10
interfere with my career. intended TO
prove to the world that woman could
maintain her public position. continue 70
practice in her profession and stnl be a
successful mother. The way seemed easy
then. My first baby did nothing but eat,
sleep. and lie COntentedly in his crib or
carriage, We lived near our Office and
was able 20 go home every two hours
during the day TO feed him. The rest Of
the time the maid simply kept him out in
the fresh air when the weather permit
ted. or safely housed. when It stormed.
But when he reached the age OF running
about We had 70 get out Of the heart Of
the city far from the Office, where he
would have a yard 10 play In. Then I
could not see him from morning till night.
Then the second boy came. Loving rela-
tives. helpful maids. even trained nurses
could not solve the problem Of mothe-
hood ! felt that none could care for my
children just as I could.
Double Duty Tells.
7 wanted 70 be with them every hour
OF the day Furthermore. the double duty
was telling on my nerves. I moved my
office TO my home. but the problem was
not yet solved. I could not Go my duty
by my clients when my babies called from
the next room or the next floor. Il was
d choice between my profession as a law
yer and my profession as a mother. !
have chosen. 1t is the babies"
And she said il without "A sigh. without
one echo Of regret. but with the thrill Of
pride which Is heard only in the voice
Of the true mother.
Il once heard Gertrude Atherton say
that every author wrote with an eye on
one particular man. ! believe that in
discussing any vital question. in arguing
any problem OF sociology. we do so with
an eye on one particular human quantity.
generally ourselves And after all that is
only the fair method % proceeding. 10
draw our inferenCes from practical OF
personal experience
And now as I must, in all honesty
take back the statement as made In my
former interview in the World. I must
also draw on my own experience for
argument. Before marriage. I was wrap
ped up in my work. but unlike many
other women so absorbed. 7 did not ex-
living I somehow just did not expect "a
marry. I thought my work all-satisfying
/ expected 70 remain wrapped up in my
work. I did not believe Il the best Of al
work. but the best work for me 10 do.
Greater Thing to Marry
Il knew il was greater thing TO marry
and bear children. but simply did not
think that work lay before me. In two
ways We NAV be a power for good. First.
in building up home circle and bring
ing worthy. Well-Teared children into the
world. children with straight. clean bodies
and clean, healthy brains. Second. when
not bearing children. to exert among those
with whom we come In daily contact an
influence for good. Of high thinking and
high living. I thought that my influence
for good was TO be limited 10 the latter.
But woman cannot sound the depths Of
her own power until she has borne chill
dren
The Fashion World.