Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 June 1884 — Tired Women. [ARTICLE]

Tired Women.

If yon look around on the faces in a street-car, the number of faded and sad-looking countenances presenting themselves is startling. Mature women have especially a tired air about them, showing itself not onl v in pallid complexions bat in the wearied lines about the mouth and eyes. It is impossible to associate this appearance with happy lives, and yet, from dress and manner, the majority would seem to be comfortably placed in this world. U sually the climate is supposed to have a great deal to do with the early fading of youthful freshness, and the beauty of health, instead of reviving with the spring of the year, usually delays until the summer holidays, followed by the crisp autumn breezes, invigorate the human system. If the truth was known, however, I suspect that it would be found that the reason why women look tired is because they are perpetually fatigued. Modern methods have not eased the cares of wives and mothers, whose duties have developed with the growth of science and expansion of art. When children were thrashed into obedience to paternal commands, when young people understood that to hear was to obey, when husbands only expected* their regular three meals a day and mended and clean clothing, the duties of women were very much simpler than at the present time. In those happy days, when to eat, sleep, and work was the whole duty of man, and the interests of posterity a side issue, the mistress of the household might, after her work was do e, eat and sleep, too. At least she had a chance to work when husband and children were engaged in business or in school for long hours of the day. In those days, lain or sunshine was the same, iife moved in a groove, and there was a probability of things running smoothly. In those days people ate what was set before them, because there was not much variety to be had, and they we e not always developing new ideas in the way of occupations and diversions that upset the regular routine of a household. Pe haps it was monotonous, but it was restful for the housekeepe s. In the great upheaval of mind which has of late years set eaoh individual soul on the search for that good living which the world is suppos' d to owe it, whether the quest is continued in the direction of business, pleasure, science, art, or religion, it is the wife and mother who is expected to be the instrument of Providence in providing the means and forward ng the success of the seekers, and nobody th nks of all the extra burden this throws upon her—the strain on her sympathy, the tax on her bodily strength. From the child who wants a play made for him to the husband who wauts to talk over his affairs w.th her, is one long intermediate chain of little se vices which are expected from her. Ti*it she has personal tastes or inclinations is never taken into account. She has no time left for her own use, but is actually at the beck and call of all belonging to her from early morning until late at night. It is a curious f*ct in connection with the nineteenth century, that few people are self-reliant, and still fewer can occupy themselves agreeablv without aid. Like the Turk, they want somebody to amuse them. With the additional burden of seeing that the members of a family are amused, as well as their material wants provided for, it is no wonder that wives and mothers look tired. No doubt men feel the fat gue of the constant drive that is requ site to keep up with the general stride, but they have a peculiar faculty of being able to take a rest, even in the mid 4 of turmoil. Woman, unfortunately, from long experience in being overdriven, get into that state where they cannot repose, even when the opportunity offers. This is a stat 1 of nervous expectation, brought about by the knowledge that' there will be something to do in a minute, even if there is nothing calling for attention just now. —Philadelphia Sunday Times.