The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-27
WOMAN WHO WORKS
BUT DOES NOT LOVE

Twelve million women labor for
hire in America.
Some are spinsters, some widows,
some of tender age. whose parents
lied to get them their working pa
pers. Many are unwed, sbut certain
proportion are wives and mothers.
How much love can they give the
mate who is not the master How
much time can they devote to the
embellishments that feminine crea-
lures are supposed to lavish on them
selves in order to catch and hold the
male fancy? Is their economic indie
pendence OF the lifemate such that
they assume an air of i should wor-
ry" when it comes to ministering to
his love needs?
The transitional state OF woman is
today. and these are the wives who
are in the spotlight Is feminine
freedom a success? Is the working
wife wornout drudge, neglectful OF
her personal appearance. her home
keeping, her husband and her chill
dren? Is she too weary to lavish
affection and stir up passion? Can
sne pursue intellectual lines or In
dulge in business activities and yet
retain state of rhapsody over the
marriage tie, promising, as Mrs.
Browning said. to
Meet. if Love require it, both de-
mands.
Laying flesh and spirit IN thy
hands?
Now. the fallacy of the cynic. in
declaring that women who work are
denying themselves love, is that he
assumes work to be a new thing for
women. Bless you, women always
have worked. The mere changing of
q task, or the redistributing OF the
routine of ones days does not alter
human nature. Feminine emotion is
exactly the same as in the days of
our Pilgrim mothers, except that
new opportunities for self expression
have opened up to us. If wife is
cold and stereotyped, she is so as a
housekeeper quite as much as II she
is a. matter of temperament and
proper mating. Why should it be
assumed that a woman of intellect
Is without feminine feeling2
We know hundreds of women
painters and writers and actresses
and dressmakers and typists and buy
ers and reformers who labor enthu-
siastically all day, but return to their
home and spend an evening of bliss
full domesticity with the man OF their
choice. thankful not to be dragged
out to social functions and enjoying
the open fire and cozy dinner.
There are, however, ubiquitous
types of wives who work conscien-
tiously and slavishly Gin the home
or outside it), yet never relax or
enjoy the softer moments of JOY ana
play and irresponsible laughter. a
New England type was the perfect
housekeeper! She made life a bur-
den to her family because of her
neatness and cleanliness. No speck
of dust in "a hours might remain on
the piano. No cigar might be smoked
in peace in the parlor. Husband was
forced out into the cold barn OF an
evening so that the smoke would not
harm the curtains. What an idea OF
conjugal affection!
The wife who industriously baked
many pies, and huge batches OF
bread. may have religiously taken
for her motto. "A mans heart IS
reached through his stomach, but
conceit in her perfect housewifery'
when her lord eloped with the blonde
at the ribbon counter, who could not
cook an egg or fry doughnut!
The wife who works asslduously
to maintain perfect home, or In an
office. and takes credit 10 herselI
solely for her industry. neglecting
her personal appearance and the
wiles and charms and sweet nothings
of fen1ininity, or who boasts of hard
common sense, and no nonsense
about romance" is digging the grave
of her domestic felicity.
All work and no play makes jill
dull girl, and men, like birds and
animals, are attracted by a bit of
scarlet. Often, one sees profes-
sional woman who clings to the silly
fripperies of her sex" who invarla-
bly, wears a bunch of violets, or
marcels her hair carefully, no mat
ter how busy. Her confreres among
business women may deplore this
weakness but often it is saving
Gravel The grand opera singer VINO
dons a big apron and cooks an ONE
let. or mothers her mate and flat-
tiers him, is real woman, a normal,
affectionate being. who loves wisely
and veil
The severe housekeeper who makes
a virtue of her hard labor is prev
alent and foolish type, whom we
must admit is to be found every
where All romantic passion, espe-
cially after honeymoon days are over,
is taboo with her. She regards mar
rage as a dull routine. highly re-
snectable, but not to be toyed with.
II lust "is," that is all, and must be
CLOSED over and condoned. Her law
full spouse is compelled to fidellty.
she decides, and so she need not
hother to nourish his emotions she
despises the gay butterflies whose
aim is to please men-and usuaHS
loses her husband to them:
If it be a crime not to work. ana
contribute something TO society,
surely it is a crime not to love, and
contribute something to human nap
niness, A frigid wife is S depres-
sing as cake of ice in January.
Ar an altitude of three and a half
;Ias o+nnosnheric pressure Is only