Year: 1862

Nor can |. Or roast s4rloin p


NO"


Cor broil steak? Just think of it.
Alice. We can manage useless embroi-
dery, or fancy knitting; can sing and play
dance and chatter-but as TO the real and
substantial things of life. we are ignorant
and helpless. And with all this forsooth
we cannot think of letting ourselves down
TO the level and condition of virtuous,
intelligent young men, who, in daily use
ful work, are earning a fair indepen-
dence


We are so superior that we must have
husbands To support us III luxurious idle
ness. or we will have none We are viii
ling to pass the man to whom love would
unite US in the tenderest bonds. because
his income is small, and marry from posi-
ton one from whom the soul turns with
instructive aversion Can we wonder that
so many are unhappy?


But eight hundred dollars, Fanny; how
is it possible for Il married couple to live in
decent style, in this city, on eight hundred
dollars a year


They NAV live in very comfortable stvlc
if the wife is willing to perform her part


What do You mean by her part, Fan
ny"


We will take /. for granted that she is
no better than her husband that having
brought him no fortune beyond her dear
self, she cannot claim superior privileg-
es"


"Wen"


"He has to work through all the day


Well


Under what equitable rule Is she ex-
empt?


None. She must do her part, Of course
if there is anything to do with She must
keep his house if he can afford house
But if he has only eight hundred dollars
wear? Why rent alone would consume
more than half of that There would be
no housekeeping in the case. They must
board


and the wife sit in idleness all the day
long.


she could have nothing to do


Gould she not teach? or by the aid Of
a sewing m Ichne earn a few dollars every
week? or engage in some other useful work
that would yield an income, and so do her
part.


Yes, she might DO something of the
kind. but if marriage Is TO make workies
Of Us. it were better to remain single


And live an unwomanIy depend nee
on our parents and relatives. No. Alice,
here i false sentiment prevailing on
this subject. ana rs think and talk | see
i; more clearly every day. Our parents
have been weak in their love for as: and
society. as constituted has given US wrong
estimate Of things. We shoald have been
required to do useful work IN the h use
hold, from the beginning and should lave
been taught that idleness and self indul
cence were diScreltablc Our brothers
I,
sionS, AMI to comprehend, from the begin
ming, that industry IS honorable. and that
the wav Of useful work IS the way bv
which the world. brightest places are to
he reached But we are raised daintily
and uselcsslr. and fitted for our duties as
wives and mothers our pride and self es-
tccm are lo-tered, and we come to think
ourselves rs future queens. who arc to he
ministcrcd to in all things instead of be
ins ministrants, in loving selfiorSe; e;tulncSs
to many others No wonder that an
marriage sentiment is to prevail among
vOung men Of moderate incomes in our
cities. The sin lies with US. Alice The
sin lies Mt our door Nedcmand too much
in this copartnership We are not willing
to do our share Of the work The hus-
bands must bear all the burdens"


Alice sighed heavily. Hef friend con
tinued


;" | haze read somewhere that the de
light Of heaven is the delight of being use
ful An it seems to me as | dwell upon
the thought, that the nearest approach to
heavenly delight there must be that state
into which wife comes when She stands
by her husband side. and, out Of love for
him, removes one burden and another
from his shoulders. and 50 lightens his
work that smiles take the place Of weari-
ness and the shadoWin-S Of care. IF he
tie rich, Size can hardly have 50 crcat
privilege bat if they are alike T.,or. and
know how 10 moderate their desires. their
Rome may become an image Of paradise
Eight hundred dollars Alice, if YOU
were really fitted 10 become Harrv's wife.
you might live with him, doing your part,
happier than queen


That Is | must take to work, and earn
money. if we board or-but housekeep-
Ing is out Of the question


No, it should never be oIt Of the qucs-
ton | think


But house rent alone would take half
OF our income


That does not follow


"It does for anv house | would consent
TO live in


80 pride Is stronger than love. But
pride will have its wages as well as love,
and the one Is bitter and the other Is
sweet Il IS this pride Of appearances,
this living for the eyes of other people
DO not care penny for Us, that Is mar
ring the fair fabric of our social life.


Fine horses. fine dresses, parties, shows
and costly Injuries of all kinds are con
suming domestic happiness, and burden
ing fathers and husbands in all grades Of
society, with embarrassments and wretch
edncss Alice, we must be wiser in our
generation.


That Is, coop ourselves up in two or
or three mean little rooms, with only eight
hundred a year husbands and do Your
own cooking and housework Is that it
my pretty one


Alice You do not deserve 4 good
man. You are not worthy to we'd Henry
Peasants and trust YOU will pass him
by, should he be weak enough TO offer YOU
his hand. Hc can't afford 10 marry a
girl Of your expectations he must con
tent himself with one who, like himself
regards life rs real life rs earnest; and
the way Of us and duty, the way 10 true
honor and happiness,


Fx-n1ierrv shou1l not no o-Orraol-ef