251
TAKES ISSUE WITH GIBBONS
Mrs. Peattie Discusses the Cardinal's Position Regarding "The New Woman."
Men Are Inferior to Women in Endurance of Pain and Resistance to Nervous Strain.
Some Plain Statements Relative to Motherhood -- Attitude to Be Assumed Toward the Criminal Classes.
Last Sunday there was published in the World-Herald an interesting interview, held by a young woman reporter, with Cardinal Gibbons. The subject discussed by these two persons was "The New Woman," whatever that may mean. Apparently it means, according to his eminence and the bright young reporter, the woman who is graduated by universities, who takes an interest in civic affairs, and who believes in science as much as she does in instinct.
Cardinal Gibbons has never approved of this type of woman. He has preached against her, and talked against her. IF he is correctly reported by his interviewer -- and, indeed, the interview bears every evidence of being truthful -- he says:
"As a Catholic, I am bound to disapprove of any so-called woman movement. The church of Rome exalts womanhood in the veneration it accords the mother of Jesus Christ, but in exalting a woman it still has regard for the special nature of her mission in the world, which is equal to man's though not identical with it."
His eminence refers, very evidently, to the mammal functions of a woman. She is elevated, he appears to think, in proportion as she exercises these. Napoleon, be it remembered, was of the same opinion. He respected most the woman who could bear the most children. He desired to have the women bear men in order that he might slay them. Cardinal Gibbons' reasons are, no doubt, less sanguinary. But he also appears to entertain the same idea. The woman he elevates above all others is distinguished because she bore a son in an unheard sort of a way -- a unique way, and one in which she set an example that no other woman has ever been able to follow.
IS BUT AN INCIDENT.
It seems then, that it is not for the truth, honor, industry, sobriety, intellectual development and spiritual growth that woman is honored or exalted, but merely because she can bear children. Now it is natural for woman to bear children. She does it as a matter of course. Sometimes she does it with joy and sometimes with sorrow, but in one way of another three-fourths of the women of the world reproduce themselves. But this is only an incident of their lives. They are responsible for their children only secondly. First comes their responsibility for themselves -- for their own lives, their own duties, their own destiny.
The age has passed when one sees the hand of God in an epidemic. Physicians are here, scientists have labored. When an epidemic arises it is fought and frequently defeated. Has not the time also passed when on secs the hand of God in the indiscriminate bearing of children?
Every thoughtful philanthropist knows that it would be a blessing to humanity if the criminal and half witted were emasculated so that it would be impossible for them to reproduce themselves. The statistics on such matters fill one with horror. Not long ago Dr. Kiernan mentioned the case of one insane criminal woman in Illinois who had eighteen children and grandchildren, none of whom were sane or innocuous. Is it possible that this is the hand of God?
Who has not seen a fretful, overworked, nervous wreck of a woman with six or eight little children tugging at her skirts, none of them properly cared for, all of them rather dirty, and doomed to poverty of the sort that grinds the soul down into the muck? Is the hand of God in that?
Not long ago I was sitting in a public medical clinic. A dragged-out looking young woman entered, carrying one little child, and with another tugging at her skirts. She was ill and told her symptoms to the physician who was in charge that day.
"Madam," he said gently, but with something of amusement in his tone, "is it possible that you have these children, and that you do not know what your symptoms signify? Why did you come to me? I can give you a little medicine to ease some of your suffering, but you are not afflicted with a disease. Your illness has natural causes."
She looked at him a moment, flushed a deep scarlet, and went wearily out trying to hide the tears that had gathered in her eyes. The students laughed after she was gone. They couldn't understand that a sentence of death would have been hardly more terrible to her than that verdict. It meant that with a back which was never free from pain, with a purse that never reached her needs, with two little ones not yet through teething, she was to go again through all the torments of a year's illness and anxiety. With each month of growing weakness her cares would be increased. No one would think of relieving her. No one would consdier her really ill. Her neighbors might come in and compare pains with her. They would probably never think of helping her. And then would come the final agony -- that black suffering which, once experienced, is never forgotten, and then the dragging convalescence, very likely with complications of the most painful sort.
One often wonders if men would consider the unrestricted bearing of children such a God ordained institution if they had some of the suffering to bear themselves.
THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER. The truth of the matter is, that so inferior are men in physical endurance of pain, and in resistance to nervous strain, that they would perish under the suffering that women endure while they continue their daily work. The work is not well done, perhaps, and the body a mere house of pain, but someway or other they live and fret.
The question arises, are not two well-educated, self-respecting, well-trained, carefully developed children of more value to the state from an economic point of view than twelve under-fed, dirty, half-educated, weak and nervous children?
I once knew a woman who believed that it was God's will that she should have a child every year, or, at least, every year and a half. There were nine of them. She was not strong. She did not love her husband. She was bitterly poor. The children were fine babies, and the two eldest grew to strong manhood. The others, as they reached the age of puberty, developed the most astonishing weakness. Every joint seemed to be dissevered. The arms swung helplessly back and forth. The legs would sustain the body only at times and then with the greatest difficulty. The head would lie on the shoulders. It used to be very obvious that if the woman had cared for her health, built up her vitality, and waited a few years after bearing her first two children, she might have had a family to be proud of. As it was, her poor heart broke with grief and shame -- and it really seemed as if she had done something to be ashamed of. As for laying such misery as; this to God -- it would be blasphemous!
One does not deny that there are women who can bear twelve, twenty or thirty children. In Italy the descendants of the Roman matrons not infrequently bear thirty children. To be sure, they cannot very well support them. But in Italy one only lies in the sun and lives. In America it is against the law to merely lie in the sun and live, unless one has a bank account. The only vagrants approved of here are those who draw interest on invested money. Thirty children would consequently be a horrible embarrassment in America. But there are women here who can bear twelve children and still be strong and well. There is one very lovely and well-known Irish-American woman in this town who has borne twelve children, and still is comparatively young and happy and handsome. She, evidently, is the woman made for the task and, since she is able to educate and properly care for them, she has reason to feel herself blessed.
But no man would think of asking a broncho to drag the same loads a Normandy draft horse would. .The load is intelligently tempered to the powers of the animal. Are we not to show as much humanity and intelligence where human life is concerned?
CRITICISES RELIGION.
There was a time when religion was even more tyrannical in its attitude toward woman, than now. Not only was woman expected to bear children, but she was disgraced if she could not. A barren woman was considered accursed, and unworthy of a man's love. As a matter of fact, behind the smiling faces of many women in this very city, who are much in society and club life because they are childless and have no duties to keep them at home. He bitter histories of disappointment, of withered hopes and physical suffering. Though fitted spiritually and mentally for motherhood, the boon has been denied them. But, fortunately, science has, at least, exploded the superstition that woman is bewitched or accursed because she cannot bear children. And men, apparently have, as a class, outgrown the ideas of Napoleon and Cardinal Gibbons and love women regardless of their abilities in that direction. They have married their wives for companionship, hoping, without doubt, for sons and daughters, but too well satisfied with the marital associations to fume over their disappointment, and certainly too just to resent such a condition.
It is also noticeable that Cardinal Gibbons fears that the higher education takes women from religious influences. His eminence has a much poorer opinion of religion than most laymen, who frankly think that the more one knows of God's world the more sincerely and reverently religious will one be. Ignorance is not the handmaid of God.
"God has given us a heart to be formed, as well as a head to be enlightened," says the cardinal. That is very true. But he is wrong in assuming, as he does, that it is the uneducated woman who cultivates the heart. The New Woman, as she is ridiculously called, finds in her college, her clubs, and her social intercourse, the very things that teach her how great is her responsibility to her kind. The small gossipings which used to drag the sex into abject puerility are recognized now as hopeless bad form. They stand associated with women of the old provincial type. The women who think are the women who feel. They are those who try to better the condition of their sisters by practical measures. They provide houses of refuge for the fallen, secure physicians of their own sex for the insane, put matrons in the police stations, build college settlements in the slums, teach good cooking and house cleaning, put traveler's aid agents at the stations to protect the unsophisticated, inculcate and live up to democratic principles, indorse and encourage legislation protecting their kind, and wage organized war against the vices that have for centuries corrupted men and wrecked homes.
LIBERTY AND INDEPENDENCE.
All this means, of course, that woman enjoys liberty and independence. American men, as a class, are not afraid of this. They are proud of it and glad of it, and heaven knows that never in the history of the world were there happier homes or more devoted husbands than here. Some of these husbands are even unselfish enough to feel proud of their wives' achievements. Or, to put it better, they look upon these achievements as their own, seeing no division in the perfect partnership which they and the woman of their choosing enjoy together.
One never sees a man fretting about the development of a woman without wondering what mystery he is trying to protect, or what injustice he is endeavoring to foster.
But it is too late for the protests. It is rapidly becoming too late for the mysteries. Turn the light on. Let it flood the whole world -- the light of learning and liberty! If this loses any woman a man's love, his love is well lost. If it keeps children from being born, they are well in their oblivion.
His eminence says that the cardinal virtues of a woman are chastity and humility. It is unfortunate that it should seem to be the chief occupation of a large part of the men to destroy the first and to identify the second with servitude.
Chastity and humility! Women are chaste by nature, thank God. And they will be more humble when they know more than they do now -- and the "New Woman" is trying to speed that day.
It does not seem odd to refer to educated women as new women. Is human development a novelty?
But after all, it is pity rather than resentment that one should feel for Cardinal Gibbons. His opportunities for knowing and enjoying the "New Woman" are so exceedingly limited. ELIA W. PEATTIE.
TROUBLE IN POLICE COURT.
The police are up in arms against Acting Police Judge Crosby, whom they accuse of offering a premium upon crime by his easy way of discharging every hard citizen who is brought before him and who tell a hard luck story. They quote several instances of ex-convicts who ought to have been sent up on general principles. On the other hand, Judge Crosby insists that the police must prove their cases and declares he will not send a man to jail unless he is satisfied that he deserves it.
A SMALL FIRE.
A fire occurred at 1:30 p. m. yesterday in the two-story dwelling at 1385 South Seventeenth street, occupied by A. L. Emminger. The blaze arose from a defective [flue?], causing a damage to the house and contents of $1,000. The house was insured, but none was carried on the contents.
252
THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
A ROMANCE OF THE SUPERNATURAL.
By Mrs. Elia W. Peattie.
CHAPTER IX.
"Good God man, I cried when we were really on the outside and beyond the hearing of the council chamber, "they permit you to depart! They think you will be fool enough to return to be murdered for the crime of exercising your own personal liberty'
De Vega turned on me with a look of pride and reproach
'Brother, we of Bimini obey the law
'You mean that you will tamely go to be murdered'
'Worse would follow than that which threatens, if I did not obey my fate For, understand, it is the decrees of fate which I bow to One of your race cannot understand this as can an Indian My death was designed when the plan of the ages was unrolled Were I to try to mar this plan I would bring disaster to all connected with me I would have no happiness if I should live, knowing that like a coward I had run form death Broth try to understand Not only would I be an outcast from society, but a haunted man as well surrounded by the spirits of the infernal regions who could consort with me and call me their companion For they also have thwarted the will of the great spirit This is the greatest crime an Indian can commit No brother I will be courageous and true Then there can be no punishment and as for the pain of a few moments -- that is nothing It cannot compare with the pain that I have suffered in my heart for months. Death you see has no terrors for me'
We found Bryan and Bridges waiting under the shade of a tree They read in our faces all they cared to know and sadly followed behind us Bryan leaning heavily on his friends arm
As we neared the house, there sprang suddenly from behind a huge cactus plant a little brown body that sped toward us with the speed of some wild animal It was Sin De Vegas face lighted up when he saw him he ran forward to meet him and the two spoke together for a moment
You will not fail me" De vega called back twice as we walked on
By the sign of my fathers,' cried Sin in his pure Seminole, 'I will be there A tiger" -- and he drew up his beautiful little body proudly 'A tiger never forgets what he was promised'
De Vegas hospitality was in no way relaxed when we returned to his lodge. Those elaborate formulas of welcome which the etiquette of his race required were repeated in tones of the most convincing sincerity Dinner was served for us in the long cool dining hall -- fowl fruit the wild potato and koonti -- made into pudding with the aid of strong but savory eggs of some wild bird
From the time we left the state house, we had been the object of curiosity A great crowd of people were waiting for us without the door of the council chamber but so deep in grief was I at the position of my friend that I saw them with undiscerning eyes and only gathered confused visions of stately, slow-moving figures, wrapped in bright colored garments redolent with strong and spics perfumes Many of these followed us as we returned along the avenue of palms, but their curiosity was not of that morbit sort which a crowd of my own countrymen would have displayed It was evident that the people of Bimini did not rejoice in the sorrows of others Their commiseration made itself felt somehow As we sat at dinner a low murmur that came in through the window informed us that many of the people had gathered in the garden Indeed we had not finished our meal before word was brought De Vega that his miners hearing of his return had come down from the mountain to consult with him De Vega sent word that all in the garden were to be served with fruits and wine, and then resume dhis quiet and courtly attention to us
'Brothers, he said, 'I shall this afternoon prepare my testament and make a written disposal of all of which I am possessed as is the law My kinsfolk are few and they have more than their needs Therefore I shall only leave them reminders of my regard I have also a few faithful servitors who deserve something from my hand But you my sworn friends, who have entered my country and my home under circumstances so peculiar, shall have that which will give you a place in the commonwealth The Adelantado himself will not dare disregard you when you stand possessed of the only mine containing gold in the country and control a body of men who know no fear At the same time it will be a great pleasure to me to know that the tasks which I have undertaken will be worthily carried on and that the men who have so long worked for and with me will continue to have masters who will consider their good
At this moment the servant whom we had first seen when we approached De Vegas house entered the room His manner in spite of that stately [?] which it was always his ambition to maintain betrayed excitement
Father said he there awaits without the Lady Opaka and her train
I know not how it was but at this information each of us sprang to his feet De Vega turned white under his swarthiness Bryan still weak from his illness trembled in sympathy with De Vega I felt as if a hand were at my throat This woman whom the governor of the land thought it worth his while to denounce for political reasons -- this woman who had such a fatal influence over my poor friend and who seemed to contain in herself the knowledge of letters of which her race was ignorant who was in fact the disturbing element of this placid land -- it well to meet and know her' There thoughts poured hotly through my brain and yet I knew and I admitted to myself that I would not for anything the world had to offer have left that roof knowing she was under it without seeing her
Come with me, I dare not meet her alone, said De Vega in a strained voice He paused to drain another glass of the mulberry wine and then, after two or three laboring breaths drew himself up flung apart the curtains at the door and entered the other room
In the white lights of noon backed by the gray panels of the apartment stood a group of women Their dark and innocent eyes were turned on us Their [?] bodies obtruded themselves through the white [?] of their garments As we entered on of them parted from the group and glided toward De Vega with hands outstretched I saw a terrible look shoot into the Indians yes -- such a look as a spirit might wear, which though the murky gloom of an inferno beholds heaven Then he roused himself and accepted the hands which the lady extended toward him
"Opaka" [?] athed
'My brother sobbed the lady I have come in ask for pardon I have committed a crime It is I who am responsible for all this evil which has fallen on you'
"Lady' said De Vega sternly, you were the servant of fate Such words as you speak do not accord with all that you have taught me It is your teachings which have fortified me You will surely not be the one to disprove those lessons which I learned so well, and which are now my only consolation
But she did not heed his words
I will go before the council she protested, they shall reconsider They shall place the blame where it belongs
My dear lady cried De Vega in anxiety make yourself no more enemies than you already have Interfere not in this matter Already I have heard that Padre Anton whispers Hes among those who will lend ear to [?] Dear lady, beware! Thnk only of yourself My death is nothing Have you not yourself taught me that death is better than life when life has ceased to be beautiful?
But what a death, my brother [?]'
Hush hush!'
'Oh let me plead for you Do not deny me this one little thing! It will quiet my spirit, which is torn with remorse'
'Lady, if I lived, could you love me?"
The imploring eyes which had been lifted to his dropped suddenly A flush spread over the face and the stately [?]
But -- but she protested falteringly, there is life poetry, philosophy, friendship'
Beautiful teacher interrupted De Vega you have many pupils who think that they learn from you the principles of truth But I am your best pupil for I have learned from you the great truth which is love and beside which all else is nothing -- or rather but a part of this great whole of love Do you understand me? I separate this guava into fifty parts and I call these parts by splendid names -- duty philosophy sacrifice, poetry beauty life health but when I join them all then Ic all them love Love is the perfect thing my teacher Your pupil has outgrown you You who once instructed now need instruction You are as one who walks in the twilight in a strange land But the morning will dawn for you! Yes, by the great spirit I seem to know, by some power which I cannot explain to you, that it will soon dawn
'And then' grasped the lady drawing her white wrappings about her as if she shrank from something terrible
Then went on De Vega, 'you will no longer teach You will no longer write You will merely live And you will read what you have written of this mystical five with amazement and your own words will mean to you what have never meant before And in place of a wealth of things to say your tongue will stammer And your pain will be sweeter than your joy is today, and your joy will ever be seasoned with pain"
The lady drew an end of her floating vesture up over her face with a gesture such as mourners use
'No more, my friend I whispered 'no more for mercy's sake The lady heard my words She dropped her velling and looked at us courteously
These are my friends and brothers" said De Vega, and he told her our names She bowed low to each of us Bryan, supporting himself by the back of a seat, had not once removed his eyes from her
You are ill," she said, extending one hand compassionately Bryan lifted the hand to his lips for answer I involuntarily started De Vega turned away, but not before I had seen a vein in his forehead suddenly swell out as if it had been struck a blow
"Tomorrow" she said "while the sun and moon still look at each other in heaven, you shall be healed There is no need of bodily suffering here for him who chooses to live as the Adelantado dictates' -- Here her voice took on a tone of bitterness 'It is only diseases of the mind that we find it hard to cure' she added
"And the lady Opaka said De Vega is the great physician
God is the great physician He and his chosen priests" cried a fierce voice The band of white-robed maiden attendants started with little screams of terror Opaka turned with a lock of superb indifference and faced the speaker
'Padre,' said she, coldly, 'Truth is the physician, come to us how it may It is the guide to heaven Truth which is afraid of nothing, which, instead of denying finds the uses of created things, even the uses of death and sin
There is no use for sin returned that harsh and melancholy voice intensified now by the hatred which its owner could not disguise 'Nor for death Nor yet for false teachings
At this remark, which was intended to be a direct challenge to Opaka De Vega started forward, but the priest fixed the Indian with a look from his piercing and repellant eyes and advanced toward him holding on high an ebony crucifix
'This is truth, cried he and as he passed Opaka he gathered up his skirts with one hand
Aye, so it is, padre said Opaka but not as you understand it, for the truth which it teaches is as a precious stone hidden deep within the mountain, and you are not the man to find it"
She bowed in token of farewell to each of us
"I will see you whenever you choose' she said to De Vega, "and I trust you will tell your friends that they are welcome at my lectures"
She smiled serenely on the muttering and frowning priest and beckoned her band of maidens to follow her But at the door she turned once more
Padre," she cried, significantly "why do you not come out in the sunshine?"
The visage of the priest grew blacker, and he crossed himself as the maidens wended their way beyond the scarlet-leaved plants on the veranda
'Brother,' whispered De Vega, seizing me by the hand, "by our oath of friendship see that no harm comes to her'
(To Be Continued)
IN THE HOTEL LOBBY
Mr. B F Smith is stopping at the Paxton Mr Smith is one of those who saw the possibilities of Omaha property and invested in it years ago and has wisely held on to it in spite of the cry of hard times and the yells of the calamity howlers Although living in New York at present he gives it out cold that his belief in Omahas future is as yet unshaken and that he intends to hold on to the property which he owns here In talking of what he considered necessary to the highest advancement and development of Omaha and what she needs more than anything else he said.
What Omaha needs more than anything else just now is this During the boom she branched out into an extended city government in all its branches and departments, enlarging her forces sufficiently to conduct the government of a city of 300 000 population The city has all that machinery in working order today, costing a large sum of money to meet the current expenses During all this, while as every one knows there has been an [?] increase in the value of real estate and a consequent decrease in the revenue from rentals taxes have been kept up to the maximum to support such machinery If this state of things continues the inevitable result will be as every sane person must know disastrous The city government should reduce its expenses and reduce its working force in every department just as any round business house
253
WAS NOT A PARTISAN FIGHT
Mrs. Peattie Explains Wherein the Women Voters Were Misled.
Suggests That THree of the Gentle Sex Enter the Next Race by Petition.
Reasons Advanced Why a Woman Should figure on the Board of Education -- False Accusations.
The election is over, and the republicans have won. There's nothing disastrous in that. it is to be hoped that it will always be safe for any party of Americans to win. No one can possibly believe that more than half of the nation -- or less than half of it -- is in league against good government. The parties in America represent different points of view, but it is to be hoped that they do not represent different degrees of patriotism.
The women in this city have had a peculiar interest in the last election, owing to the fact that they had a candidate of their own. That candidate has been defeated, along with the rest of those who were upon the democratic and populist tickets. And I am so fearful that the women will therefore feel discouraged, and lose their interest in the office for which this candidate was nominated -- that, however much I may be accused of bad taste, I must publicly write a few words to reassure them.
In no one branch of civic work is woman so much needed as in that which supervises the Schools. It is [?] and appropriate that she should be there. Her duties will not be of the same sort as those which the men assume. The men may attend to the finances in a general way, and dole out the janitorships to their political henchmen. But the women can make it their business to become acquainted with the life of the school room; they can look after the comfort of the children, the welfare of the teachers, and the moral and intellectual instruction. The task will be large, but noble. And certainly patriotic women should not be debarred from performing a public service now and then. It is a service, to be sure, which must be performed without any reward. It lays the performer open to much criticism. Where a woman is concerned success on the school board does not mean the opening of wider opportunities. Nothing but disinterestedness can prompt her to assume such responsibilities. It will therefore be seen that for many reasons she will be a valuable acquisition.
The present defeat has been the result of the partisan feeling among the women. More than half of the women who voted cast their ballot for the republican ticket, preferring a republican rather than one of their own sex upon the board. This was probably unexpected to those who first conceived the idea of securing the nomination of a woman candidate. There was nothing partisan in the attitude of that candidate. Nor could she conceive what partisanship had to do with the duties which are to be performed upon the school board. A democrat or a republican ought to be able equally well to look after good morals, fine instruction good ventilation and thorough system. Opinions on the tariff do not affect ones interest in childhood, nor do differences concerning the ratio of silver and gold currency affect one's ability to judge of text books. But the women seem to have thought otherwise, and to have been indifferent to representation upon the school board, so far as representation lay in sex. And they have defeated their own candidate.
They did not pause to consider, or did not know, that that candidate was nominated by independent petition, and was at first associated with no partisan ticket, and that her indorsement, first by the populists, and then by the democrats, was a matter of courtesy on the part of the respective conventions, and that she would have as cheerfully been indorsed by any party at all. She could not, infact, see that party affiliations had anything to do with the matter.
But to consider further the causes of defeat; The candidate of the women was a writer -- and for six years has written daily for the World-Herald. During those six years she has written one long signed article a week, and these articles have been each of them upon a different subject. If to write a book is to oblige one's enemies, what can be said of the obligingness of a woman who tells what she thinks upon every subject that arises during six busy years? Could any person do that without arousing much personal antagonism? Or, indeed, could any person do that without making many close and true friends?
As I said before, it may be bad taste to refer to this. But I do it only because I wish to speak upon the successes that we shall have in the future. Supposing that at the next election of members for the school board three women instead of one are nominated, and that they are women older, more conservative, and of better education than myself. Supposing, for example, that those women were Mrs. Hanchett, the wife of the physician; Mrs. Keyso, the wife of the juudge, and Mrs. F. F. Ford, president of the Woman's club. The first is distinguished for her learning, and her conduct of private classes of students of women. She has a love for all related to pedagogy which nothing can destroy. The second has been a teacher in the High school, and has also conducted private classes, and is now one of the most esteemed and intellectual members of the Women's club. The third is a brilliant woman and one of the most public spirited in the city. There are many other women who might be mentioned, but I have spoken of these three, almost by accident. If they were to be nominated together by petition, and not attached to any party, but run simply as the women's candidates, and the women were to vote -- which only about a third entitled to a vote, did, at the past election -- they would get in with the help of the men who believe that women should be represented on the school board.
The disagreeable personal features which have arisen in my case would not arise in theirs. They would not, in one breath, be accused of being atheistic and Roman Catholics. Nor would any of the other absurdities which have gained credence concerning me be said about them. For I have been a woman of radical thought and life, and it has not met with the approval of many women, who are, by nature, conformists in every sense of the word.
Some of these misrepresentations have been very amusing. It has been said, for example, that I was the candidate of the World-Herald, because the World-Herald wished to have a member of a particular church -- a church of which, by the way, I am not a member on the board. It seems as if it would take an intellect of low order to believe that, yet many persons of presumable intelligence did so. What benefit would the World-Herald derive from any communicant of any church on the school board? No one can imagine any benefit that would arise. Besides, I was the candidate of the women, and not of the World-Herald, though that paper has been kind enough to support my candidacy, for which I thank it. It has also been said that I was an atheist. It is impossible to understand how anyone could think that, for I have never written a line, nor lived an hour, nor performed an action, when I was not conscious of the fact of God.
It was commonly said, too, that I was eager for election that I might increase my income. As no salary was attached to the office, and as the duties attendant would consume valuable time, may I ask how it would be possible that my income should be increased?
It was alleged that I was spending money for my election. The women supporting me spent $15 for cards such as all the candidates had. They gave their time and they loaned their carriages. That is the extent of the outlay.
These denials seem superfluous -- even amusing. But if people are so unfair or so stupid as to make them, perhaps I may be excused for being tedious enough to deny them. There were other tales -- fairy lore, perhaps, they might be called -- which I will not deny. It would be an insult to the intelligence of Omaha and a reflection upon the good sense of those who nominated me to do so.
But there is strength in numbers, there is strength in continued and persistent effort. Moreover, this fact is to be taken into consideration, that since I have the good fortune to have freer access to the columns of the daily paper than any other woman, I could exercise some influence with women were any other than myself the candidate for office. In a way, our cause has been handicapped this election by the fact that our efforts were voiced by no woman in the daily papers, although the efforts made in the Woman's Weekly by Miss Mary Fairbrother undoubtedly brought very palpable results.
No, there is no cause whatever to be discouraged. Next year must see us with women on the school board. We have learned several things this year, and will profit by the knowledge. We have learned among other things that the foreign vote will always be largely against us, particularly the German vote. Germans cannot divorce themselves from their old prejudices. They think that women should be in the home and nowhere else. We will have to wait till their sons grow up before we can hope for a change there. We will also have to allow for the reluctance of many women to cast their ballot. They seem to fear there is some pollution in the little red voting booth. We will have to allow for the fact that men, reading the character of women, and knowing how quick they are to be influenced by any sort of an uncomplimentary story, will invent such stories for the purpose of influencing the women.
But is not anything that is worth doing also worth suffering for? Surely? Opposition should make us firm. it should not discourage. We must develop courage, determination and indifference to small and contemptible methods, if we are to succeed. A man riding to battle cannot turn back because he encounters a cloud of mosquitoes.
And, all other matters aside, we have scored one success. It lies in the following, which I have clipped from the columns of the daily paper:
"Chief of Police Seavey says that this was the most orderly election ever held in Omaha. The absence of the bummer element about the polls was the chief feature of the day. Not a single disturbance was reported by any of his men. Another thing was the absence of carriages and wagons generally need in hauling voters to and from the polls. One of the reasons for the orderly condition of affairs may be attributed to the presence of women. Some of the men were so polite as to stand back and allow the women to take their places in the line. Others removed their [?] in the stalls while preparing their ballots if a woman was present."
Next year I shall not write an article on "Why We Failed." I shall have a much more satisfying topic. It will be "Why We Succeeded."
And, by the way, this a good opportunity for me to express the gratitude which I sincerely feel for those who have warmly fought for the cause of women's representation and who, incidentally, have shown themselves my advocates.
To those who have misrepresented my words, who have distorted my actions and who have repaid favors received at my hands with treachery, I also return thanks. My knowledge of human nature has been enlarged -- and that is an invaluable thing to a person who turns a penny by the writing of fiction. ELIA W. PEATTIE.
LAST DESCENDANT.
The Romantic Fortune That Befel a Bohemian.
The sad fate of the last descendant of Hans Holbein, the famous painter, has aroused the pity and interest of the daughter of a landed proprietor of Prussia to an unusual extent. Fridolin von Holbein, the only bearer of the great name, inherited a considerable fortune In the course of an adventurous life, however, he met many mishaps, made bad investments, and lost all his money. After trying to make a living in various ways, unsuccessfully, he returned to his native town. Assig, in Bohemia, a penniless man. Old and weak, he was obliged to accept quarters in the city poor house, to keep from starving. But a bright ray of hope now shines on his gray head. Fraulein Charlotte, the daughter of the landed proprietor whose large estates are near Charlottenburg, heard the story of Holbein's life and immediately announced to her parents that she intended to marry the unfortunate man and rescue him from his miserable condition. She is 23 years old, has considerable property in her own name -- and natural and necessary in one so romantic -- is a beautiful woman. Her parents saw no objection to her plan, and a few days ago she sent her brother to Aussig as her matrimonial ambassador. calling on the mayor of the town and explaining the nature of his errand, he was sent to Mme Marie Wrusz, a relative of Holbein. The two then went to the poor house to visit the painter's descendant. The bearer of the brilliant name was, as might be expected, pleased at the interest taken in his fate by the young woman, and quickly gave his consent. He was supplied with money, and arrangements have been made for the marriage, to be celebrated in Dresden in a short time.
VELVET CAKE.
Philadelphia Record: One pound of sugar, one pound of flour, one-half pound of butter, four eggs, one teacup of cold water, one teaspoonful of soda. Put yolks and white of eggs in separate vessels. Dissolve soda in the water, sift cream of tartar in the four. Beat the sugar and butter to a white cream; add the flour and water, stirring well. Next add the whites and lastly the yolks, both well beaten. Flavor with lemon and beat altogether for three minutes. Bake an hour. Excellent for layer cake with any filling.
DAILY BULLETIN.
Tid-Bits: "Quericus -- How did such a place ever get the reputation of being a great health resort?
Cynicus -- Two or three prominent men died there.
THE PASTELLETTE.
Here is a bit of humor from "The Satirist," which is not at all bad -- behold "The Pastellette:"
The pastellette is too strong, said he. [?] I will make it fainter yet! And be wrought with [?] ecstasy A pastellette.
A touch -- a word -- a tone half caught -- He softly felt and handled them Flavor of feeling -- scent of thought - Shimmer of gem - That we may read and feel as he What vague, pale pleasure we can get, From this [?], witless mystery - The pastellette.
254
MRS. PEATTIE'S CANDIDACY
Progress of Her Campaign for Member of the Board of Education.
Letters From Women Indorsing Her--What the Committee is Doing to Elect Her.
Qualification for Voting---Something About the Candidate---Indorsed by Two Conventions and One League.
The current issue of the Women's Weekly, the official organ of the Women's club of this city, prints several letters from club members in support of Mrs. Peattle's candidacy, among which were the following:
This year the women of Omaha have an opportunity to be represented upon the school board by one of their own number, whose ability and public spirit neither republican, populist nor democratic, so the question of political affiliations need not enter for a moment into consideration. Our schools are the great national nurseries of the republic, and fitness for the position of school director is the only question that should concern us. With all due respect to the present board whose members perhaps devote a short time every week to the general necessities of the schools, put off until the last moment for action, it certainly seems as if a woman would know better how to arrange details, which are, after all, the most far reaching in their consequences.
If the management of the schools had been in the hands of the women, is it to be supposed that at this present stage of civilization, with all the talk about germs, bacilli, ect., ad infinitum that the women would have allowed children of all sorts of conditions of men, in all stages of cleanliness (I really want to rush into medical terms here, I know so much about it that it is a pity I do not know a little more), with eczema and what not--to drink from a common cup. It is inconceivable that this matter should have been neglected so long. A woman would see that her children were surrounded by the best possible conditions of health and morals. Men have apparently more important business in life than looking after children, but a true mother will hold that to be her most important work, to which all other aims must sub-serve.
I once knew a lady who devoted herself entirely to her children. She said servants could not the work of the house, but her children were too precious to be left to the care of hirelings. Teachers, who take the mother's place a few hours every day, should be selected with the greatest care. Only women can judge women in many ways. There seems to be a mental obliquity of vision in a man's judgment of a woman's fitness for many positions.
I hope the time will come when women physicians will have the general oversight of the health of school children, that those who are coming down with contagious disease shall be detected at once before other children are infected. A medical supervision should be exercised over all the schools, and very great attention should be paid to sanitary regulations. The city employs a man to run around and look after the cows, but children are herded with very little attention to the places from which they come, bringing with them germs of disease and death.
Perhaps a woman on the school board will inaugurate new conditions. At any rate, the honored member of the Woman's club who is a candidate for that position will not be a nonentity. Let the women of Omaha see to it that she is elected.
AUGUSTA B. HENDERSON.
Primarily, because women should have a direct voice in school matters. The larger part of the teachers are women, but the authority under which they work is vested in men, now entirely. One woman will be but one of the school governing power, and that is little enough. Observation of the world's affair goes to show that what men and women do together is better done than what either do alone. Men need women's capacity for minute and painstaking detail--for keeping corners clean and beautifying the affairs of life; women need men's capacity for broad dealing the carrying out of plans in the mass.
Secondarily, because Mrs. Peattie, having had a large experience in public life, is by that fitted for such a position. Her philanthropic work in the city and her writings prove her a humanitarian and a follower of the two great commandments on which hang all the law and the prophets.
There need be no thirdly. Vote for a woman as a member of the school board, because I believe women should have a direct voice and vote in that matter which is beyond everything else their work, the education of their children. Vote for Mrs. Peatitte because her nomination gives just the first opportunity to sustain and carry into effect that belief, and because she is a woman calculated to occupy the position with credit. HARRIET S. MACMURPHY.
In the nineteenth century it seems quite superfluous to suggest that women who are candidates for office do not need to subscribe to articles of faith. It is highly desirable that they be good, moral citizens, but it is hardly fair to require more, since no similar requisition is placed upon men hoping for election. We allow and believe that the more conscientious and faithful the individual, the better will all be performed. This is written for those who question the propriety of any woman being on the school board until her church affiliation has been investigated. We are happy to note that Mrs. Peattie is indorsed by the municipal league. We are glad that she is to speak before the Congregational club next week. In the past we have noted from time to time that when the various church and parlor gatherings have wanted a drawing card, they have gladly availed themselves of the talent of Mrs. Peattie. Will they show their appreciation of her now? We feel sure that the gallantry of the members of the board of education is such that they will welcome a lady to their number. Vote for Mrs. Peattie. H. S. TOWNE.
The Weekly itself says editorially: "Mrs. Peattie's election is conceded. The question now is, who is opposed to her? She will be elected by a large majority. The opposition all agree on that point. The women have rallied in a manner which does credit to the sex, and after election among those who congratulate the ' woman on the school board,' will be hundreds of women who will say, "I cast my first ballot for you."
"While her friends are rejoiced to know this is true, they will be none the less industrious for the remaining few days. In fact, taking courage from good reports, they will work harder than they would otherwise be able to do.
"They will vote for her, because she is fitted for the position, because she cannot be overawed, because she has the courage of her convictions, because, more than all else, we need a woman on the school board!"
During the last fortnight the most ridiculous stories, the most slanderous insinuations have been scattered broadcast in order to turn the vote of the women, from their candidate. To these, the committee having her campaign in charge have very [?] upon the impressionable feminine nature with stories too base to deserve refutation.
The committee has made a thorough canvass of the entire city and is assured of a very large woman's vote for its candidate. Registration is not necessary, and any woman having children of school age or owning property assessed in her own name is entitled to vote for school director. There is no salary attached to the office, as has been asserted by some republicans; neither is there very much glory. A conscientious member of the present board says that his duties take up at least one-third of his time. While a man might use his election to the school board as a stepping alone to other political preferment, a woman's candidacy for the place can mean nothing but a willingness to serve the public disinterestedly.
Mrs. Peattie has nothing to explain, excuse or extenuate. Her career since she came to the city six years ago has been public enough to allow everyone to judge for himself. Her writings in the interest of charitable and other institutions have always been of an up-lifting kind, and no worthy person or establishment ever appealed in vain, either to her purse or her pen. Her work in the World-herald and other papers speaks for itself, and there is no world of it which she would willingly retract. If the voters of the city, male as well as female, care to have upon the board a thoroughly non-partisan, independent and fearless member they could not better than to vote for Mrs. Peattie. She has received the nomination from both the democratic and populist conventions and has been indorsed by the Municipal league and several organizations of women.
The arraignment is that the ladies will vote between the hours of 9 a.m and noon and between 8 and 5 p. m. At those times there will not be so many men present and voting can be accomplished with less delay.
To the Editor of the World-Herald---When the forefathers there of our county declared that "all men were created free and equal" and when afterwards they adopted universal (male) suffrage they were very considerably in advance of their age. Since then we have had a feeling that we accomplished almost everything that was worth contending for, and so we have rested on our honors, but while we have been resting the other branches of our Anglo-Vasen race have been jogging along in their usual slow but steady way and today by comparison with England, Australia or New Zealand we find ourselves behind three countries as regards the political position of women. It is true that we have agitated the question of " Female Suffrage" a good deal, but the women have always asked much that no one seemed willing to confer on them, and so very little has been attained. I do not forget Wyoming, but that is in itself but a small beginning for our great country. In England while they have steadily refused the ballot to women in national affairs, yet for years they have allowed women to vote in all local matters connected with property and education, and for nearly a generation women have been valuable members of the school boards. In that matter they have been decidedly ahead of us, because it is today the rule over the United Kingdom, whereas in our country it has been impossible for a woman to be on the school board or to vote where her own property was involved except in a very few of the eastern states. If women are ever to vote in national elections they should be admitted to the privilege in this gradual way and I have no doubt but the local experience and responsibility would fit them for higher things. For these reasons I am thoroughly glad that Mrs. E. W. Peattie has been nominated for the board of education and I sincerely hope she may have the hearty support for her fellow citizens. It is an innovation in our western world and for that very reason I wish it success. I need not mention Mrs. Peattie's fitness for the position, for that is well known to all of your readers. She is by no means the only woman in our midst who would honor the position, but she is one of them and in every way worthy. THOMAS KILPATRICK.
The Municipal League.
The one object of the League is "The Best impossible City Government for Omaha," and to secure this it knows no party or sect, and aims to unite those in sympathy with its object, in the support of capable and honest men for the city offices.
To carry on this purpose the League has indorsed the following candidates, after careful investigation of their fitness, for the
CITY COUNCIL First Ward---S I. Gordon. republican. Third Ward--- J. II. Getty. Rep (by petition). Fourth Ward--- Dr. James H. Peabody, dem and pop. F. B. Kennard, rep. Fifth Ward--- Allen T. Hector, rep (by petition). Sixth Ward--- G. P. Dietz, rep(by petition). Seventh Ward---G. N. Hicks, dem. Eighth Ward--- J. H. Schmidt, dem.
SCHOOL BOARD. B. E. B. Kenndy, Hev. T. J. Mackay. C. B. Wilson. J. G. Gilmore Rev. T. R. Crambeltt. Jonathan Edwards. Mrs. Elia W. Peattie.
G. W. DOANE President. GREGORY J. POWELL, Secretary.
John I. McCague 1506 Dodge, under McCauge Savings bank, bonds, warrants, real estate. "5:45 p. m. at Omaha 8:45 a. m at Chicago. "
The new vestibuled train running on the "Northwestern" east daily.
Board at the Cafe, 2016 Farnam at Batchelors quarters; good board; pleasant surroundings; reduced rates.
Secure rooms for the winter at Bachelors' Quarters. Reduced prices.
255
GREAT HARM IS INFLIGTED ------------- Christian Science as Practiced Results in Very Serious Things. -------------- Mrs. Peattie Writes of a Belief and Practice Which is Obsrading it-self Upon Notice. ---------------- She Says Despite its Evil Results There is a Germ of Immoral Truth in the " Science." ------------------ There has come into the religious life of Christendom, during the last few years, the peculiar demonstration known as Christian science. It is a philosophy which claim a unity for mind and matter, and for mind and spirt, and for spirit and God Sickness of the body is the indication of the sin of the spirt. By cleansing one the other is cured. Heat, cold--all external affections--matter not to him whose spirit is fixed in its [dr?] unrecognizance of matter---who looks always of God. Metaphysics are quite difficult enough to make comperhensible even when they deal with the simple and understood phenomena of the mind ; but when they deal with that. Whcih for convenience, may be termed supernatural, it is dfficult indeed, to understand them. The involutions and complexities of the Christain science metaphysics may well dismay even the most studious mind But briefly, as the simple understand the laws of this teaching, spirit and matter are one--aprit is God---all is God. The Christian scientists refuss to recognize matter. As the philosphy reads, It is pleasant, serene and pure. Whatever its points of differenatiation may be from the orthordox Christain teaching, it seems to be in general harmony, and to be rather an attempt to make practical the most absturse teaching of Christ. It also attempts to modernize the miracles. It believes in the casting out of devis, figuratively speaking and the making whole of the dissased body. That is the theory. As to the practice----but what religion would like to be ludged by the practice of those who profess it? Making, then, all allowance for human weakness. and for the inability of common mortals to attain to their own ideals, the fact remains that by the insitence of believers in this Christ healing, upon those who do not believe, great harm is inflicted. A few weeks ago a little girl in this city was stricken with diphtbera. Her mother was a Christain scientist and would call no physician. The poor little one grew worse. She begged to be allowed to remain in bed. She wanted care. She wept and said she was not able to play. The mother, infaturated with these amazing metaphysics, would listen to no reason. She told the child not to metion her illness, and assured her that pain was a delusion. She drive the little one out of the house to play in the yard It was not that she was hard-hearted or that she did not love her little girl It was merely that she compelted her-self to have the faith which would more mountains. But no mountain, so far as known, has ever been moved by faith. And the little girl, who might have been saved if the mother had called medical assiatance, died, because that mother insited on persevering to the end in her belief. The poor child is dead. No faith of the mother's can restore her to life. And one wonders if she " refused to recognize" that pathetic bit of matter, the little cold body that had held the spirit of her child. No one knows where that spirit has gone. No one can be sure that there ever was a sprit. We may believe it---most of us affirm it. But it is certain, The only thing about the child that as certain was the body, with its delicate functions--its movement, thought and beauty. As one thinks of that helpless little thing, bound body and soul to obedience to its parent, in the pathctic way that childern are, depending on that parent's judgment for its very life, being denied what common humanity would have accorded to it, one is almost impelled to pronounce the whole belief as fraudulent, frantic and insane. Yet, within all the folly and frenzy of this belief dwells a germ of immortal truth. It is the simple truth that body reacts upon mind and mind upon body. It is the fact that aliments are frequently imaginary, and that a return of health to the mind means the recovery of the body. Whole nations have been afflicted with hysteria before now. Committees are the prey of a mental disturbance. Individuals frequently imaginary, and that a return of health to the mind means the recovery of the body. Whole nations have been afflicted with hysteria before now. Committes are occasionally the prey pf a mental distrubance. Indivduals frequently suffer from imaginay maladiest. The regular practing physicians are not a little to blame for this. Certain physicains, especially specialists, are given to the encouragement of disceases. Take, for example, the gynecologists. They, undoubtedly, encourage many a woman in the belief that she is alling. and so impregnnte her mind with the idea, that she subjects to the most distressing local treatment year i and year out. Whereas, all that she really need is to keep free from the irritation of local treatment, stop thinking about herself and go to work. There are whole neighborhoods of women who give themselves up to discussions of their complants, and whose weaknesses acquire a similarity from being much talked of. The state, unfortunately, cannot afford an asylum for all such feeble-minded persona. But these imainary diseases have nothing to do whatever with the bonafide disease. Is it not folly to supose that the perfectly healthy, happy person, going about his work, with no thought of self, who is suddenly stricken dow with a virulent germ disease, is to balne for the suffering, or that he imagines it? I never but once had any personal experience with Christain science, I had been suddenly afficted with a contageous disease in the midest of perfect health. Indeed, so good was my general health that I laid my illness to fatigue, rather than to the real cause, and not until I could no longer sit up would I believe that I was really to be ill, and even then I refused to credit the seriousness of it till I saw the tranformation taking place in my flash. It was rating late at night when I made this discovery, and not wishing to disturb any physician I decided to wait till morning. It happened that there wass a social gathering of some sort in the house next door, and among the guests was a practing Christain scentist of wide reputaion. She heard of my illness, and in a spirit of kindness. begged to be allowed to cure me. She said she would sit up for the night and concentrate herself on me. I appreciated the kindness, and while I deprecated the inconverniece she would put herself to, I was assured that I need feel no concern, for she did not need sleep. I honorably promised to subject my mind as far as possible to hers. I did so. I offered not the slightest opposition to her wishes I said to myself that I would awake in the morning, cured. I determined to believe this, and I think I did, unreservedly. My kind neigbor sat up till morning, and I feel sure she used all the power she had to cure me. But morning found me unrecongizble as to face, almost delrious, and in the very excess of disease. I sent for an alopatic physician and recovered quickly. I am oblged to confess that if I had continued my experiment with my kindly Christain scientis I believe I should have been where the wicked cease from troubling I don't know just waht flaw the enthusiatic Christain scientists will point out in this ex-perience They willl probably say I did not believe. But I think I can assure them that I did---at least. I did not disbelieve Why should I, when I did not know? There is nothing like trying things before you make up your mind about them I have tried a good many supernatural things. I have always been credsious U have not known but I might touch the skirts of the intinaite at any moment. But I have found, thus far, only disappointment, fraud, delusion and insanity. These are, in very truth, the repliant forms that I have found lurking behind the fair masks of suernaturalism. For supernaturalism, in itself, is a comforting conception. If only God would speak straghit to us now, in visitble acts, showing direct correspondence with us, life's miseries would be greatly mitigated. It is no arugment, of course, for any of these things, to say that amny people are happy in believing them. I have been a man perfectly triumphant in the idea that he was Christ of Nazerth, and that he was riding into Jerusalem, amid the warning palms of the multutude But he wasn't. He was only a thin little old man with a wisp of straw in his hair, sitting cross-legged on a stool in an insane asylum. Becouse a person sincerely believes a thing is no evidence that such a thing is true. A person may be perfecly sane, and yet be absolutely misken. A belief may make a man or woman better, purer, happeir and braver, and yet not be based on truth. The beatiful is not always the true, nor the true always the beautiful. Even an empiracle belief may easily be erroneous, because the cause of an effect may be mistken. Indeed, the theorshpisis, the Christain scientists, the spriitualists and the materialists differ as to the cause of certain phenomena, which all agree as to the existence of. The Countess Wachmeister, the talented and graceful theosophist who was in Omaha two months ago, had an entirely differnt hypothesis by which to account for rapid cures by mental agency, from that which the Christian scientists employ. There are a great many things in this world which we are not able to account for. And we have not right to dissaprove of some one, who inspired by " divine curiosty," endeavors to find a reason for their existence. We should rather respect him. The power of mind over mind is a vast and wonderful subject, but those who have looked deepest into it, are apt to discredit the very things that most arouse the respect of the sincere novice. For example. Charcot, the great French physican, who has interested the whole world in hypnotism, protests now that he considers it almost useless as an aid to science, and more than dangerous in the hands of most men. Elliot Coues, who stood at the head of theospophy in America, confessed in the end that it was only a mental diversion with him, and that it wisdom seemed to him to be greatly overshowed by its non-sense. Some of the most ardent spirituslists I have ever known have suffered broken hearts because of the disppoinments, the chicanery and the in-adequacy of their faith. We ar not impelled to rush into new beliefs because we see things which we cannot understand. It will do us no hurt to remain in ignorance as to their real cause. For example, when I was a little girl I used to make mud pies with a small freckled boy who had warts on his hands. They were hideous warts, at which I never look if I could help it. One day a Baptist precher came to visit this boy's father He was from the back woods of Michigan, and in appearance was something like the tough while oaks that grew there. He talked as if he were addressing the farm hands at the far end of a forty acre lot. Well, he came out where we two young ones were making mud pies with our usual enibusisam. He looked at the warty hands And the he spat in the clay, robbed the dampended earth on the warts, ropeated a little verse of mysterious syllables three times and said. " Tomorow your warts will be gone!" We looked at him awe. We believed. Next day the warts were gone ! In the back districts of Maryland is a class of people who profese, among their other supersitions. to be able to cure burns by blowing on them. Let any one suffer a severe burn. and these fire-blowers are summoned They blow on the burn in a rapt sort of way, and the sting ceases It is even said that in some cases the flesh heals immediately. But it is noticed that when they blow on the burns of an inteligent and educated person the burns do not improve. The reason is obvious. One could go on filling coloums with stories of this sort. But, what need of that, with Emile Zola's ' Lourdes" fresh one the book shelves ? There one may read of the process of the modern mirale to his heart's content. But shall these things impel us to an extravagance of action, in which we invoive those dependant upon us ? Let the truth be what it may, and the false what it may, this much is sure ; anything is wrong which inficts suffering on another. Anything which endangers the life of another, or indirectly deprives another of life is next in deherate murder in wrongfulness. There have been in this city, on several occasions deaths resulting from inatention, and the inattention was the result of a belief in the faith known as Christain science. Ought not these people, who profess to be so conscientious, and, who, no doubt, are so, to consider well before they involve the helpless in their belief? Let them "refuse to recognize matter" all they like. They may even forego food and drink, if they please, neglect to put coal in their bins or ice in their refrigerstors---go without sleep, and incur any danger. But let them, in fairness and humanity, conflct these experiments to themselves. Let them not imperil the lives of others. For each living creature has a right to his own life, and none should take it from him. He has a right to provide himself, or to be provided with, every means possible for pre serving that life. To withhold it from him is a crime--not one punshiable by law--but certainly a moral crime. I am not among those who think poorly of people who do not agree with me, Indeed, it has been an accident in my life to be most profoundly attached to those who disagree with me most. The people whose ideas have coincided with mine, have often not been among my acquainatnces. I have longed to meet them but have not done so I do not understand it I have never been able to thorougly understand any religion. I have never met anyone who could thoroughly explin a religion. But I maintain that the Christain scientist do wrong---a terrible wrong--to be involve others in the penalties that may attach to their belief. Their aim is high---no doubt about that. But their works must be in keeping. And the dead, whose sufferings were not aleviated, who were forbidden even to ask for sympathy, make a sorry showing--- a shameful and sorry showing for this faith. ELLA W. PEATTLE ------------------------------------------ GOVERNOR POINDEX AND LIMIT. An Intereasting Ganie of Poker which Beated three Gamblers Indlanapolis Journal : A game long talked about on the river was that played by Governor George Poindexter of Mississipi. At one time he as fund commissioner, or someting of that : kind, for Mississpi. He had business in New York to negotiate money on bonds, ostensibly for internal improvemnts in Mississppi. He was returning from that city, and had a large aum of money with him. He left Louisville on a small stern hen boat and three gamblers took passge on the same boat. They knew Polinderie's foundness' for cards, that he would play high, and they made up a plot to clean him put. In those days they played poker with twenty cards. the ace, king, queen , jack and ten of each suit. The boat the several days in getting from Lousiville to Cario, and Poindezter and three sharks were busy at play. Then they usaully played without limit, and the result as the gamblers, having played their fish long enough, were about to take him in. They had all their money on the table. Two of the gambelers dropped out. and the other, making a heavy bet, pilled up his last dollar The governor said he didn't have money enough there to call him, but he thought he might be able to borrow. ' Very well, " said the gambler, " I'll give you just ten mintes to raise the money" Poindexter went to his state room. where he had an old carpet sack, with a trusty servant guarding it, and returned to the gaming table, followed by the darkey with the carpet sack on his shoulder. " Now," thundered Poindexter, as he threw open the sack, which was stuffed full of bank notes, " I will see you and go you $ 3000,000 better ! And I'll give you an hour instead of ten minutes to raise it!" The faces of those gamblers would have been a picture for a painter. They got off the boat at the first landing place wiser and much sadder men. There was about $10,000 on the table. ----------------------------------- AN UNLUCKY SWORD. It Brought Mashal Ney to Grief and Traitor's Death.
When Napoleon the First entered Cario, on the 22d of July, 1793, he was presnted ith three swords of honor. richhly inlaid with precious stones. He brought them back to Europe, and in 1802 he gave one to Marshal Ney and another to Murat, Keeping the third for himself. Ney recived his at an imperial reception ; the sword passed from one to another of those present. among whom was a young subalern of the Auvergne regiment. When Napoleon escaped from Elba, Ney left the king and took sides with his former chief. After the allies entered Paris the place become too hot for him and he made preparation to get out of the counrty with a pass procured for him under a false name, but his wife and a friend persuaded him that there was really no danger, and he decieded to stay in France