Woman's Inhumanity to Man.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIV, Issue 24, 17 June 1905, Page 59

Woman's Inhumanity to Man.

I By

Minna Thomas Antrim.)

Woman’s inhumanity to woman has laen exploited many a time and oft, likewise man’s inhumanity to woman; but who lias sounded the depths of woman’s inhumanity to man? None. The time and the theme seem fitting. it begins, this particular sort of cruelty. when the woman-child is about two. it ends when they do—the man and his abuser. At two the child-woman attacks its father-man. How? In ways devious and certain. Supposedly the father is young and a lover of sleep. For what raves iiis woman-child the moment "Daddy’s” tired head touches its pillow? "A dwink.” Being manly, lie, instead of his equally somnolent wife, makes a pilgrimage to where the boiled or spring water is kept, for never drinketh th.? twentiethcentury infant as did its predecessor from the bath-room spigot. At dawn, what spirit elf is that sitting bolt upright in its crib, crowing its bird-like matin? The same whose thirst hath murdered father’s sleep. W ho rideth a cockhorse, even though feet be weary and heavy laden with protuberances that sting like adders? Who putteth her father to shame by unseemly dabs at his well-groomed head, or bringeth tears to his loving eyes by ungentle pinchings? At fourteen her relation to man is elemental. Man, to her, means a man—her father. Boys have a small speaking part in her life; but not yet men. She cons her text-books, and dreams of things to come in which self is ever mirrored. Her father is still young, comparatively. He has to work, that she anu her mother may not weep, for the average father is not wealthy. They live comfortably. What then? Is sbe content? Rarely. When she asks, and does not receive certain luxuries, do?s she cheerily take the will for the impossible deed? She does not. She pouts, or appears abused. She is sullen for days. At the worst she phrases sentiments that fall like blows upon the heart of the devoted man who loves and who toils for her. Sometimes she coaxes. If her father is of pliable stull', she gains her bauble or what-not, at the price of an added weight upon an already too heavily burdened back. Does regret harass her? Seemingly not, for she covets continually thos.2 things that the daughters of the rich have, until there is no mercy in her. The struggling man who indulges a wilful daughter once is in danger; twice, is lost. Having by one or another means secured what she wants, what attitude does the budding woman take toward her parent? Does she repay sacrifice with

love o\ rilowing? Not so. She wears her bauble as a queen her crown. She considers it her right, therefore thanks are superfluous. Her inhumanity toward her father is many-sided; but it finds its maximum in a total lack of appreciation of what he does for her at so great a cost to him self, ami in treating him with brutal animosity when he refuses, upon principle, to assume obligations that he knows he cannot honour. Selfishness estimates her father simply as the man who pays the bills—and woe unto him should lie refuse to pay hers! A girl and her father are soon parted when he leaves undone those things that she thinks he ought to have done, and does those things that she thinks he ought not to have done, and to her mind there’s no health in him. In consequence, she avoids him studiously. Comes "The Man” anon. Her inhumanity henceforth starts loverward. From the hrs she determines to harass his mlr.«l. and make him win her through sundry tribulations known only i. young women who lead their pursuers a circuitous chase. Finally, lest she lose him entirely for man’s patience has a limit—she consents to marry him - some day. Even in the hour t ha. love enters her heart, she prods him with the uncirtainity expressed by the non committal "some day.” However, he Lives her manfully, all the better that she has been so dearly won. He realizes that tven though she has said "Yes.’ being a woman, she later may say “No.” Therefore he treasures her fearsomely. and determines to deserve her. Behind him. as far as man may, he thrusts the life that a young man usually lives, and looking into the future paddles his canoe into more quie waters i han hitherto. His honour henceforth is her honour, and he keeps it as unsullied as an unhalved creature may. He begins to save for her. The small sacrifices cause his heart to glow, and he thanks God for the love of "a good woman.” Meanwhile, how worthy is this woman of a good man’s love? Is she humane? At limes. Other times her inhumanity is marked. Has she faith? Verily. She believes in an engaged man as she does in an a . tractive-mannered woman whom men admire. Each is trustworthy when under their owner’s eye; not otherwise. She considers man’s fidelity a myth, and she confesses hei creed to the man who loves her. As a whip this baseless doubt stings; but she will not revoke. The thorn of her tuir.iith is left in his heart to rankle indefinitely. Has she hope, otherwise ambition, for her future lord? Much. She makes of it a goad, lest he tarry upon his upward way. And yet, being unwise for is anv (‘go-worshipper other than a fool?- < his inept one constantly throws hindering stones in her fiancee’s path that puzzle and pain him beyond speech. "Go win thy laurels’” she says. ‘‘Form* ahead! Make haste! Get ‘o the lop!” Lends she a helping hand? Nav. Not one hour of the time that she considers wholly her own will she give toward tin* futilment of his ambition. lit* is expected to p rform miracles. Modern miracles are performed by work, and work alone. The price of success is labour and many trials. Not one plea sure will she defer in order to give the man who loves her his cove ed chance. He is her exhibit, and she exhibits him continually. What place has he in her heart? He has only one rival, and that rival "some day’’ he will call “wife.” And if he for love’s sake has labour rd in the little hours while others slept, yet falls short of the prize, what then? Dors sh salve his wounded spiri with tenderness, and bid him rest a little while, and then again press on? Not so. With lashing tongue of flashing eves she sorely punishes. The selfish woman has little sympathy for those who do

not win. litis she manifests, holding that who would have slaves aehi<*e must pitiise li tie and eensure mueh. And charity? Hav'ng small faith, has she saving charity? Condones she t host* minor weaknesses to which man has fallen heir through his illustrious ancestor Adam of Eden, neat' Paradise? Never! \\ hat she does not see she believes not. What she does not feel none other need feel. •• Temptation” has no meaning to her. With stern lipped accuracy she measures her man upon the fem Hine yardstick, and when he does not hold out, full measure, she is cheated, whereupon war is declared. The Princess Nieotina in her opinion is a thief, who steals money that might be spent for her pleasure, and whose peculiar odour she hates. Against this slender brown goddess, whose fairest prom'ses seem to go up in smoke, she wages wordy warfare. She considers Bacchus scarcely less worthy of a man’s devotion. Whereupon she opens the vials upon her lev i r’s too-devoted head. Sometimes a woman wins from tormented man a reluctant promise to eschew Nieotina. but almost invariably he returns to his god dess. This is one of the weaknesses wh eh she cannot understand, and never condones. She is invariably of an inquiring turn of mind. To go is her special delight. She is secretly proud of her acquisition of her future husband: still prouder of h s love for her. if he expresses a preference for- her society to that of "the <rowd." what happens? Hr is ‘•sentimental. * "old-fashioned.” or "mean.” if the outing requires money. It is a brave fellow who assumes the role of engaged man if his purse is slender, for many and often will be the calls upon it. these money-melting days. The feverish sprit of the times Ims left its imprint upon all women. They must be "‘in the movement.” No matter how tired the man is, whose day has been spent where money is exchanged for service, he must not only go everywhere "they” are asked, but. if he does not wish to be sharplv arraigned. he must do his ‘•stunt" or eon tribute something to the general Irlarity. Nothing except sickness or death excuses the engaged man from nightly duty. Whereupon oft-times follows physical collapse. Nevertheless, after sundry trials, a few quarrels, a little love upon her part, and upon his a great devotion, they marry. As a parting fillip to pa-

rental endeavour, the young woman ha* left her lather mountainous b Ils to pay. ami so equipped she enters "The house that Jaek built. * It is small, but cosy. There are tributes all about oi .ove and kind thoughts. In the kitchen shine a black lace and new l inwar<*. and all start well. The lutine is writ upon Destiny’s scroll. Happv the doing t hat 's not long in ruing. Dues she rue hei do ng? Barely. She has love of a *ort lor "Jack,” and she knows that her rule will be absolute*, lot has she not proved during betrothal days the povvei of weakness over strength? He is strong, therefore, although h<* knows that in future, as in the past, -he will harass him. he loves her better than his own happiness, and so eoinpaiatisc peace will be kept.