FOR WOMEN ONLY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIV, Issue VI, 9 February 1895, Page 139

FOR WOMEN ONLY.

‘ I wonder why men are created now-a-days ?’ asked a man of a particularly independent sort of woman. ‘ There seems to be no special place for them in the world, and they are of little use and of scarcely any necessity to the fair sex since the new ideas of independence came in vogue. Why are not men abolished? Why do they continue to be born and to live and to move in the same old likeness and yet so little of the old usefulness ? Can you tell me why men continue to exist ?'

* Why-why why, because they are needed in the world, I suppose,’ replied the independent fair one to whom the volley of questions were addressed. •I am sure I don’t want them abolished, for me. I like them too much for that. Why, men are perfectly charming. They are lovely to look at, they are pleasant to have around, thev are useful when you want shopping done and haven’t time to go yourself, and when it comes to sending you flowers and candy there is really nothing like them in the world. Talk about abolishing men because the women had no need of them ! Why, it is all nonsense. Women may be independent and firm-minded, but they are just as fond of the men as they ever were—only they are fond of them in a different way.’ And all this is really true. Not only because the pretty little reformer said it, but it is also true because it is borne out by facts. Women don’t want a man nowadays to lean upon. They want him for a companion. They don’t want a man to tell them where they are going, nor how to get there ; but if a man chooses to trot along and buy the car tickets and look after the baggage he is welcome to do so. If he makes himself agreeable on the trip his mission is ful" filled. If he does it because he thinks he ought to do it, he is making a grand mistake, and be might as well stay at home and do anything that pleases him best, for the woman will soon find out that he is looking after her simply as a matter of duty, and will snub him most unmercifully, for she has learned how to take care of herself.