on Co., Ill., May 28, 1877.

EDITOR _Ballot-Box_:--The question of suffrage for woman has
been thoroughly discussed in our society, and last week I
started out with my petition. I could work but a short time
each day, but I systematically canvassed our beautiful
little village, taking it by streets, and although I have
been over but a small portion, I have ninety signatures. I
met with but little opposition, and with kind wishes in
abundance; with some amusing, some provoking, some pathetic,
and some disgusting phases of human nature--with very
agreeable disappointments, and very disagreeable ones. Very
often some person would say to me, there is no use in
calling at such a house; the man will not, and the woman
dare not, sign. I went to such a place last week, was met
with all the courtesy one could ask. The man looked over the
petition thoughtfully, affixed his own name, and asked his
wife if she did not wish to do so, and called in a beautiful
sister who was out playing ball with the children, telling
her as it was for the especial benefit of women, she ought
to sign it too. I write these things to encourage our young
girls, who will take up the work. Take every house, ask
every person; "No," will not hurt or kill you. Be prepared
to meet every argument that can possibly be advanced. The
one which I meet oftenest, is that woman cannot fight, and
therefore she shall not vote; and strange to relate, it is
almost always advanced by a person who was never a soldier,
through physical disability, cowardice, or over or under
age.

The shortest "No," without the slightest shadow of courtesy,
was shot from the lips of a man who is doing business on
capital furnished by his wife, and who lives in a house
purchased with his wife's money. Graceful return for her
devotion, wasn't it? I suppose he prefers to keep her in her
present state of serfdom, as, if she should ever find out
that she was of any importance in the world, except as his
housekeeper, cook, washerwoman, and waiter-in-general, she
might possibly inquire into the stewardship of her lord and
master. An