The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1909-10-22
For the Women
to Think About
Especial for The Reformer.)
Constructive Work VS.. Criticism,

| SoAAooA
Occasionally some of the wise ones per-
ceive that much labor is being worse than
wasted when time and strength are spent
in criticising existing conditions without
so much as suggesting anything better, or
the way for bringing about the bettered
condition. Criticism is a form of destruct-
i've work-it should be accompanied or
preceded by the construction. We deplore
the fact that the old time sociability and
neighborhood hospitality has gone out of
fashion in the country or in the town.
But what is being done about it! If any
six families living in six consecutive houses
on any country road would begin at once
and meet once a week or once in two
weeks, taking turns in entertaining, it
would surprise nearly all in this circle to
find how much would be accomplished in
the way of mutual improvement. Some
plan would be necessary as to topics to dis
cuss. The meetings should be perfectly in
formal women as well as men should par
tlcpate in discussions. Ii refreshments
are served they should be simple so as not
to weary members of the family entertain
ing either before the company assemblies,
or during the evening.
Something very practical might be taken
up-the study of soils, the study of how to
select good COW for the dairy, the study
of spraying fruit trees or potato vines next
season. How many women there are who
are obliged to manage a home with garden,
or farm, who are utterly ignorant OF best
methods of doing things. They cannot
even direct the work that must be done
but depend upon more or less reliable
help. Too many games for such gatherings
are not desirable, although part Of the
time spent in suitable games might prove
beneficial, or one evening set apart for
games Current events, magazine articles,
the important industries of the. town or
state imaginary journeys taken by means
of railroad guide books-all these and
Some neighborhood circles take
up one subject for the winter. Others
change with each meeting. If few families
are included, men, women and children, all,
may meet together If the grown-ups so
elect division may be made. If any
town in the county were to divide up into
districts for some form of sociabiity or
study along these lines the interest in pub
lie affairs and the intelligence of the
townspeople would be greatly increased.
Such gatherings twice a. month would not
with the ordinary church and
social affairs of the community.
Too much criticism is apt to be made as
TO girls growing up without practical
of home making while little
chance is given them to acquire the knowl-
edge which seems so desirable. Perhaps
you know some family where the girls
take turns in managing the home week
1r month at a time. A young man who
was about to marry wealthy young wom-
an was accused of selecting wife who
would have to be supported in idleness:
But he knew better. She had been trained
n practical experience, not only in manag
ng work done by maids but in doing it
herself so that she was actually a most
'apable woman. Give the girls a chance
% learn.
Some years ago young man, bright and
intelligent and of means, had proposed to
he girl Of his choice. When the father
vas consulted he asked, What business
,r profession or trade have your The
young man replied that he had ample
means to support a wife, but was not en-
ragged in any business-not even in his IA
hers business by which his money had
been made. The girls father said that if
lie were in earnest he would manifest his
Utility to do something to earn money
llmself IN case he were to meet with losses.
The young man said he had often wished
o become a doctor, but his family had seen
10 necessity for it. This investigation
Helped him to decide. He studied medicine
md became successful physician. Had
le been criticised and sent away his life {
would have been one of little use to man {
and. Another young man who was in |
lustrlous was asked by his prospective ia
her-in-law how much money he had saved
The young man was forced to admit that
lie had none-not even his last months }
wages. The father confessed that he liked !
he young man. but would expect him to
demonstrate what he could do at accumu-
ating money. When the young fellow
ound that he would be quite as highly re- !
pected If he spent less money in carriage
ire, expensive entertainments and sup
ers beyond his means he changed his
Methods of living and soon won the prize
e sought {
If parents took more interest in the hab- i
Is and methods of the companions their n
Dns and daughters choose and encouraged
hem to cultivate the best, they might c
ring about far more of happiness for their 5
hildren than by simply criticising their Ii
lults. We all have more or less faults. "
a regulation suit for the business woman !
a thing that has seemed advisable-yet y
w actual demands have been made in y
ms direction. The great firm of Marshall -
ield & Co, Chicago, employing hundreds n
women in their immense department !
ore. recently prescribed certain rules for y
ress to be observed by all saleswomen and
erks Simplicity is the keynote. A black
.irt with shirt waist of either black or II
hite must be worn. The sbirtwaist is to b