Year: 1878

ican.l


Business Women.


1t is very curious aud interesting to watch
how fast and how far the work of the world is
falling into the hands of women. Is it because
women are very gradually, but better learning
how to do it? 1t is true that men as yet act
mainly as proprietor5, but how long will they
continue to do SO after women have obtained
thorough knowledge of the business, trades and
professions to which they can obtain access?
One woman in Massachusetts and two in Con-
necticut are announced as engaged to supply
their husbands pulpits during an absence Of
these for vacation. Fresh signs constantly
appear over stores and business houses, which
give the nomenclature of woman instead of q
man, and women, of education have entered
business within the past few years who 25
years ago would not have considered such a
step possible. A grocery store upon populous
avenue has for 20 years display ed the name of q
man upon its sgnbOard, who has been dead for
the past five years, during which time his wild
Ow has taken his place. acting most efficiently,
and keeping and increasing the business which
Is large one. Quite recently she had ''Mrs.'
painted in before the Christian name of her
husband, whose simple Quaker cognomen had
occupied it before. When the matter was jok-
ingly referred to by customer she remarked |:
81 did not do 1t before because my friends
thought it would iujure the business, but now
know it will not. People are just as ready





man, and think it is more honest to let it be
known that it is whom the public have to
deal with and not my husband"


The other day very nice looking yonng
woman called at the house of friend to exc
cute some orders in regard to the covering of
furniture and the putting up of summer win
dow curtains. Her appearance was so thor
oughly good and fitted to her work that
my friend could hardly believe she was the
person. 1t expressed, as she phrased it, too
oh lf1r Shn nd hru knk Al
woman superintendent of the upholstery de-
partment of one of our most famous fur
niture and decorating houses, and lightly
climbed step-ladder and proceeded, in work
manlike way, to get on the outside of q win
dow in the furtherance of the object she had
to accomplish. My friend, who is a lady of
observation and intelligence, became very much
interested in her, and noticing plain gold ring
on her finger. asked if she were msrried. ''No,
thank Cod was the reply. 'Why are You
thankful that you are not married?" asked
Mrs. a. Because l have two sisters who are
married." she said, "and l have to work, not
only to support myself and my mother, but to
help support their children"


This will be found about the position of
every superior working woman in New York,
and tells the story why the Stewart house had
to remain empty, or be filled by persons who
had no claim upon it, Few men marry nova
daya with any intention of fulfilling their nat
ural obligations and properly supporting a wife
anu lantJ' nSu tney are not ancient wld-
overs. who can afford to buy young girl as a
luxury for their old age, they are generally
thoughtless and selfish young men, who would
rather be taken care of than forced to assume
any responsibility. The majority, who are
capable Of earning a living, do not even con-
template marriage. The clubs offer them the
comforts of home," and they prefer to spend
their money upon themselves. This Is well
enough, 80 far as they are Individually con-
cerned, until they have reached the age when
a personal sympathy and companionship are
worth more than anything else in the world,
and then they begin to regret their lost oppor-
tunities.