Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-24

hAhFEH SoohS1 thirty a week in Il
great concern. Probably he will event.
ually become successful financially, but
he is now a long way from the top.
! am a good stenographer. and know
full we'll that our combined income.
when we marry. would make a thousand
nice things possible-bctter living con-
ditions. through a higher rent; good
clothes and few of the pleasures and
little luxuries that American standards
Of living make so imperative to girls
and boys of refinement and ambition.
l hate the thought of giving up my
salary and congenial work, to do the
menial and light tasks of kitchen,
and to face the stringent economy re-
quired If two people try to live in a
city on $50 a week.
But every one seems aghast at the
idea Of a married woman's working ut
her own profession To be sure. the
criticism of friends does not so very
much disturb me, but my associates in
the Office might make my position en-
barrassing or uncomfortable. This wor-
rieS me.
"EEEN big business men are rather
~ amusing; they arc so naive and
unconsciously personal. I have been
in this Office seven years. and as the
stcnographcr to six men, l am treated
to all their family affairs and little
daily experiences. l am called upon
to admire Mr.. AS watch, or the ring
Mr.. Il has just bought his wife; or to
go into rapturcs over the photograph of
Mr.. C's latest baby. These human
touches are all in the days work, and
| love them. hate. the thought of
narrowing my sphere of sympathies to
the petty gossip of little fiat in
suburb.
ITO be sure. ali six OF the men give
me advice until | resent it, and some
times would like to throw something
at them--but one cannot assault ones
employer. and hold her job!
ssTNHREE courses seem open to me:
L which would you advise?
II can keep still at the Office. marry,
and mind my own business. risking some
criticism, should the employers find it
out.
Il can tell them that ] am married,
and endure some contemptuous pity,
because people generally st!ll are old
fashioned and conservative, and insist
on scorning a husband if his wife works
outside the house: and feeling that she
Is bit eccentric or unnatural.
"Or ! can give up, and follow the
old antediluvian path, scrimping and
sacrificing financially, and having
scarcely enough to do, of housework,
in q tiny place, to keep me busy an
hour a day. OF course, I'd be q bit
restless and discontented, and very USE
less and idle.
Really ! am seriously worried. The
poor boy labOrs very hard by day, and
goes to night school. and it seems sui
cidal for us to relinquish one of our
salaries. ! want TO help him grow, to
the best of our ability. I'm willing to
work extra hard. and do houscwOrk at
night and Sundays. Surely ! never
shall shrk my share of the burdens.
Which course shall ] takc:'
NNHlS seems 10 me remarkable
L letter. one that shows the modern
girl at her best, a sensible, conscientious
business woman, yet one who has not
lost her desire to help the man she
loves. She has sense of humOr, and
paints a picture Of conditions in busi-
ness Offices. She is no empty headed
jazzer, whom the press and pulpit are
denouncing as the modern type.
I should say, by all means hold your
job Why should you renOunce a sure
income. only to make your young hus-
band slave the harder, and yourself a
discontentcd parasite? In few years,
with reasonable thrift, a good bank ac-
count will assure you safety and cer-
tainty for the future.
AS TO deceiving your employers, it
n might not be wise to keep your
marriage secret. Would not the bet
ter course be to announce 1t as simply
as q man would? You have married !;
what is 1t to them? 1t Is an entirely
personal matter. II you are diSnified
and bit Al0of. no one Will dSre criti.
cize or NaGuttpn. Yea Will be educat-
ias is sss5 Efgs'