Omaha daily bee., 1919-04-06

over, you are not merely following
the example of countless grandmoth-
ers, but you are doing thing that is
of no public moment. It's your pri-
vate concern. only.
As you have doubtless noticed, the
type of young matron that have in
mind not only proclaims repeatedly
to whomever will listen, that she has
a husband, but the details of her
| housekeeping are advertised in her
conversation, as though they had an
importance that mere unmarried
housekeeping never acquired.
And her struggles with shopkeep-
ers, landlords, dressmakers and SER
wants, if she has any, are thrust upon
the worlds attention with an air
that she could never have summoned
before that ceremony for which she
so complacently robed herself in
white satin.
There is no mistaking the signifi-
canoe of her manner. 1t means not
only that she herself is aware of hav-
ing triumphed, but that she is grev-
ously sorry for those who haven't
! Pity for the "Old Maid"
No fate seems to be so deserving
of pity, and yet, at the same time,
so contemplate, as that of the spin
ster. 1t is as the "old maid" that she
thinks of her-and she doesn't hesi-
tate to use the term. The unmarried
woman is for her the .unpreferred.
the unloved, the unoccupied, the use
less and negligible. Nor does she
hesitate to let an unmarried girl
know that she has this view.
1t doesn't make her popular, of
course-among the unmarried. But
even if she knew this, | think she
wouldn't care. The unmarried have
so little prestige in her mind that
their good opinion is scarcely worth
having, just as their companionsliip
is not worth counting.
| She perfers that her social life
shall be spent among women of her
own rank-the high rank of the ma
irons. She desires that these, who
are her peers, should think we'll of
her. But fol-. the rest, it doesn't
greatly matter.
| For a year or SO one listens to
the continued narrative in which
husband and housekeeping figure.
Then baby comes and unsurps the
leading place in the mothers CONVEX
sation. The bride have been des-
cribing becomes the mother who
always talks about her children.
Does it seem to you that this is so
bad habit that you would never
acquire it? | assure you that it is
better to be on the safe side. Don't
begin by making you husband and
you cook the staples of your con-
versation, or you will end by being
a garrulous mother as we'll.
Is Marriage Achievement
| Doubtless it's agreeable to feel
oneself person of importance, of
recognized achievement But young
girls must remember that this is
gained by intelligence, energy, work.
A woman who has followed a pro-
tession to some purpose, a woman
who is success in business, one
who is an artist or worker for her.
fellow men deserves consideration
on the strength of what she has ac-
complished. She may be married or
single. According to any realty
sensible standard, how can this pos
sibly matter?
1t is true, I admit, that a woman
who has successfully brought up a
healthy and promising family OF
children is entitled to be regarded
seriously. But it takes years for a
woman to establish her right to
credit as mother. There are moth
ers-and mothers.
With all these points in mind,
many advanced women of the pres
ent day have advocated the abolish
nent of the titles Mrs" and Miss"
on the grounds that they create an
artificial distinction. Does this seem
a radical, unnecessary departure?
Think it over and see if the advan-
tages of such change don't be-
come apparent to you.
A Youthful Bride.
A youthful bride whom nobody
addressed as "Mrs. John Smith"
( would perhaps have less temptation
! to boast about her connection with
the excellent but by no means unique
| Mr.. Smith.
f"People speak to me as though
| were no different from what was
before" she might reflect. Can it be
that | really am no different? Can
it be that | really have no cause to
be airy and superior because l am
married."
Wait until you have shown that
you are different, in some particu-
lar. from hundreds of thousands OF
other women who have husbande
and homes. Wait until you have
thought out some way of makinA
home life happier, more comfortable,
more complete, more beautiful
Wait until you have some contribu-
ton from your own experience to
the problems OF marriage or mother
hood. Wait until you have found out
how to make housekeeping simpler
or more effective or more economi-
cal
Then it will be time enough TO
boast that you are married and a
housekeeper-tlme enough to ex-
pect consideration and precedence
and praise. You will deserve them
then.
But to expect these things because
you've married the man you loved,
while your neighbor hasn't, vet
is this easonable, or is it just lit
tie vulgar?
| At all events, I'm sure You won't
be guilty Of it