Another submission from g-g-g-aunt Nellie. This time a snarky reply to someone who was complaining about girls who enjoy outdoor activities, written when she was 20. RIP, Nellie, you would have loved the internet.
9 Jun 1881, The Maine Farmer, page 1, column 5:
Ah yes; if all the poor, overworked, suffering tomboys could be summoned to tell their tale of woe, truly, what a mournful sight would they present! How shocking to the feelings of a tender heart would be the stout, healthy, "overworked" limbs, the beaming face, and eyes sparkling with health and spirits. My heart aches for them. What a contrast to a group of well brought up young ladies. How the pale, wax-like beauty of these puts to scorn the rosy cheeks of the poor crippled tomboys. Their taper waists and dainty fingers speak of higher employments than that of out of door exercise; knitting edgings or piecing fancy quilts has been their favorite pastime. For exercise and excitement, the ball-room is all sufficient and very agreeable. The idea of handling a rake or driving a team! Would they expose their delicate complexion to the sun to perform such drudgery as this? No indeed, they have too much self-respect to degrade themselves in that way, to say nothing of ruining their health in the bargain. If they have a lame side, or are dying of a consumptive cough, no one can say it was caused by performing outdoor drudgery. Others can see, however, what was the cause. The stifled air of the parlor and ball-room has not been breathed all these years for nothing; and the languid eye and weak muscles speak for themselves. May Nellie's note of warning have the desired effect in the minds of the rising generation of girls, that there may be no more doctor's bills to pay for the coming farmer because his wife has ruined her health by working outdoors. But rather that they may grow up to be dignified, graceful ladies who never did anything when they were young, and who will have neither strength nor inclination to mend their ways when older. NELLIE HOWARD. Easton.
