Woman's enterprise., 1922-03-10
The AMERICAN ALIEN
By Thelma Johnson LacOur.
Patterson, Louisiana

The whole of Garyville was gossip
ing-men were in little groups, at
the postoffice and drug store, talking
in low tones and women were whis-
pering over their tea cups. What
was it all about? No-a mysterious
vampire had not come to town,
neither had the town bank failed, but
something worse than that had hap
pened-Mildred Randolph had broken
her engagement with James Callag-
han. Mildred Randolph, whom the
whole of Garyville had picked to
marry James Callaghan, long before
she was out of her teens, had turned
down this promising young man.
"What more could she want" ="
whispered the women, "than success
full young lawyer and member OF
the state legislature? Why he may
be governor some day and now she
had given up the opportunity of be-
coming mistress of the state man.
sion."
Cy Hicks entered the postoffce and
snickering and gigling, said to the
men there, "Do ye know what the
lovers quarrel's about? That gal
done went up and got mad because
Jimmie is 'gainst that bill which
will come up in the legislature for
women votin'."
There was roar of laughter from
the group-thoughtless men that they
were-they did not even know what
the ballot would mean to women. They
did not know the great responsibilities
that women could bear and would be
called upon to bear so soon-for this
was in 1918, just little over yeal
before the call to the colors sounded
Jimmie called on Mildred after thei1
quarrel thinking she would reconsider
him.
81 will be proud to be your wife
Jimmie, if you will promise to sup
, port the bill giving the women tn
ballot when it comes up in the legisla
ture. Not only that bill, but yol
must promise to support any measure
which will remove civil or legal dis
abilities or inequalities on account O.
sexes. If you will do this I will b.
proud Of you"
Y "But Mildred, that is absurd, I can
f not support measures Of which l d.
not approve. The woman's place i
in the home-it is her duty to hav
children and to rear them properly
! They have as many rights as the,
s need. A woman is represented b,
y her husband so why does she wan
e to vote?"
t "That old WORKOUT argument abou
: the home,' said Mildred scornfully
"is the only one the men seem abl
e to fall back upon. The woman VIII
t wants to make a home is going t
s make one whether she votes or moi
: She will make home no matter wha
t her legal privileges are-more legs
S privileges will only add to the home
? It will bring family life closer tc
j. gether, for the mother will discus
= the civil status of the state with he
: husband and sons. She whose lov
d for her children is the greatest
the world, will vote for clean law
IS to protect them. For the mother wi
# think of her children when the fathe
forgets how law may effect h
# home. Yes, motherhood is woman
j. crowning glory and when woma
j. drinks in the horrors of hell to brin
z a child into the world why shou]
): she not make the laws under whic
e this child should live?
It ut is no use, Mildred, I cannot 81
% your point and l cannot promise
support your measures"
Is "You cannot see my point becaus
a you do not want to see it. Does NJ
y my mother make a home? There
'e not a better mother in the world ths
Is she, yet she has time to study Il
ct political and social situation Of h
n country. Mrs. Layton, who does N
approve of the women's rights, spent
hours and hours at bridge-bridge
no sin if not overdone, but she do
overdo it; she negleets her home Il
e, it. There is a woman who does N
. want any civil or legal rights and 81
fails to make home. Cannot W