Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-11-21
The Ordinary Woman.

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some OF Andrew Carnegie's medals fol-
heroes. would give one to just the
Ordinary Woman. 1t is true that she
never manned a life-boat in stormy sea-
or plunged into a river TO save drown
ing person. II is true that she never
stopped runaway horse, or dashed into
burning building, or gave any other
spectacular exhibition OF courage.
She has only stood at her post thirty,
or forty, or fifty years, fighting sickness
and poverty and loneliness and diSap-
pointment so quietly, with such a Spar
tan fortitude, that the world has never
even noticed her achievements and yet,
in the presence of the Ordinary Woman,
the battle-scarred veteran, with his breast
covered with medals signifying valor,
may well stand uncovered, for one braver
than he is passing by.
There is nothing high and heroic in her
appearance. She is just commonplace
woman, plainly dressed, with tired face
and work-Worn handS-the kind OF wom-
an that you meet hundred times day
upon the street without ever giving her
second glance, still less Saluting her as
heroine. Nevertheless, as much as the
bravest soldier, she is entitled 10 the cross
OF the Legion OF Honor for distinguished
gallantry on the Battlefield OF Life.
Years and years ago, when she was
fresh and young and gay and light-heart-
ed, she was married. Her head, as is
the case with most girls, was full otdreams.
Her husband was 10 be Prince Charm
ing, always tender and conSiderate and
loving, shielding her from every care and
worry. Life itself was to be fairy tale.
One by one the dreams fell away. The
husband was a good man, but he grew
Indifferent to her before long. He ceased
to notice when she put on a fresh ribbon.
He never paid her the little compliments
for which woman'S soul hungerS. He
never gave her kiss or a careSS, and
their married life sank into deadly mo-
notony that had no romance TO brighten
it, no Joy or love to Tighten it.
Day after day she sewed and cooked
and cleaned and mended TO make COM
Portable home for a man who did not even
give her the poor pay OF few words oi
appreciation. AT his worst he was cross
or ouerulouS. AT his best he was silent,
and would gobble his food like hungry
animal and Subside into his paper, leaving
her to spend a dull and monotonouS day.
The husband was not one OF the fortu-
nate few who have the gift OF making
money. He worked hard, but opportu-
nifty does not smile on every man, and
the wolf was never very far away from
their door.
Women know the worst OF poverty. II
is the wife, who has the spending OF the
insufficient family income, who learns all
the bitter ways OF scrimping and pairing
and saving. The husband must present
a decent appearance, for policy'S sake
when he goes to business; certain things
are necessities for the children; and sc
the heaviest Of all the depriyations fall
upon the woman who stays at home and
strives to make one dollar do the work
OF five.
This is the way of the Ordinary Wom-
an; and what sacrifices she makes, what
tastes she crucifies, what longings foE
pretty things and dainty things she Smoth-
ers, not even her own family guess
They think it is an eccentricity that makes
her choose the neck Of the chicken and
the hard end OF the loaf and TO stay al
home from Any little outing. All, if they
only kneWl
For each OF her children she trod the
Gethsemane ofwoman, only to 60 through
that slavery OF motherhood which the
woman endureS who is too poor TO hire
competent nurses. For years and years
she never knew what it was to lave q
single nights unbroken sleep. ThesmalI
hours of the morning found her walking
the collie, or nursing the Group, or cover
ing restless little SleeperS, or putting wa
ter 10 thirsty little lips.
There was no rest for her, day or night
There was always a child in her arms
or clnging to her skirts. Oftener than
not she was sick and nerve-worn and
weary almost to death, but she never fail
ed TO rally TO the call of "Mother y as
good soldier always rallies to his battle
cy.
Nobody called her brave, and yet, wher
one OF the children came down with ma
lignant diphtheria, she braved death
hundred times, in bending over the little
sufferer, without one thought Of danger
And when the little one was laid away
under the sod, she who had loved mos
was the first to gather herself together
ard take up the burden OF life for tht
others.
The supreme moment Of the Ordinary
Woman's life, however, came when sht
educated her children above herself anC
lifted them out OF her sphere. She diC
this with deliberation. She knew that it
sending her bright boy and talented Gr
off 10 college she was opening up - then
paths in which she could not follow sht
knew the time would conIe when thel
would look upon her with plying toler
ance or contempt, or perhaps Goa hell
her be ashamed OF her.
But she did rot falter in her sell-sacri
fice. She worked little hlrder, she &c
MED herself little mere, 10 give thca
the advantages that she never had. il
this she was only ike millions Of othe
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