The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1882-07-22

ooh, YES since that old affair she has
been very exemplary in her conduct-quite
a model of propriety. But you know we
do not care to admit u woman to our midst
VIC has been DO 5candaiized. We must
maintain the reputation of the convention
The last meeting of the convention was
quite informal. Business being disposed
OF, and the session at an end, and the next
place of meeting fixed upon, and new con-
verts added to their ranks, the ladies made
themselves generally agreeable, congratu-
lating each other upon their successes, and
the general uplifting and '~cultivating' eff
feet of the session.
Mrs. Odessa Nottingham Smith sought
out Violet Gray.
"My dear" she said, 81 do not see your
name among our new members l fear we
have fxed upon a place so far distant you
will not feel that you can attend but you
know we want to give this rare opportu-
nifty to all alike. / trust however, you
have derived some benefit this session"
II nave in one way, " answered Violet
frankly, ~ shall more han ever feel con-
tent in my own little sphere, and never
sigh after a larger field for 1 find as much
that is noble in my W narrow life, rs
much tina must be appreciated by the
Great Ruler, and less that is unworthy
and belittling, than l find in the lives of
many of these e~mancipated women
"Really! ~ cried the amazed Odessa; ire
ally, Miss Gray, / must ask you to explain
so strange an assertion. What have you
heard at this session of the finest minds i'll
two states, that can be termed 'belittling,
l prayy
.'Gosl p and malice responded Violet
quietly, Just what we are apt to hear
where any large number of women meet
I-ll I-.F. Iaa., -..ara fr
it at a sewing circle or a meeting of society
women, but l confess l was un~prepared TO
find in this 'emancipated' congregation of
fine minds. One of the first things to greet
my ear was an old, dead and cold scandal
concerning the most lovable and womanly
member of the association. Next l heard
of the low origin of one of the prominent
members. Then l happened to overhear
a few ~wire-pullers plan to keep a brilliant
woman in the background, and they sue
ceeded. / also heard an elegantly attired
woman sneer at the masculine garb of one
of her sister associates, and the sister asso-
ciate in turn condemned the fashionable
dress of still another. This Is not eman-
| c~ipation from woman's Hummelshine, is
not reaching the platform men occupy.
Men do not meet at conventions to back
bite and criticise, to rake up old scandals.
They meet TO exchange views, to combat
each other II need be, squarely and fairly,
but in good open warfare. You may sue
coed in opening the trades and professions
to women by your papers and your
jpeeches but you will never succeed In
becoming truly emdncipdfed from the worst
hindrance TO woman's true culture and
growth until you rise TO the moral height
that scorns gossip, and puts all scandal aud
talebearing and personal envy and jealousy
down in the dust under your feet, where
IL belongs. You will never become broad
minded, as you desire to be, until you feel
yourself so strong and safe and sure in
your own unsullied virtue and moral worth
that you are not afraid to meet and eK.
change views with one whose past life may
nave been darkened by a cloud. l do not
say, admit or c~ountenance untrue women
to your midst far from it. But / do say,
treat women like Mrs. Burton with all due
kindness, and encourage them to live the
good life, and think the noDl thoughts
they are striving TO, instead of holding
back your garments N retailing to every
new conner some old tale Of error. These
are IA few of the things that impressed me
unfavorably, with your own doubt at the
bottom of the excellent project, Mrs
Smith, and now / shall go back to my lit.
tie round of duties, praying more fervent-
w than ever to be kept / ON all enyying
and striving after vain glory, and NOR
than ever content and satisfied with TIN
work given me to do.
"A strange crotchety young person" Mrs
Odessa Nottingham Smith was heard t.
call Miss Violet Gray, in speaking of her
"She seemed to possess latent powers, AM
an odd command of language, which wa
quite remarkable in its way But ther
was no culture, and really, yes, really he
tastes seemed distressingly low. No appre
citation of higher things, you know, ant
curiously content with her common duties
Impossible to emnncipate her
"Poor Violet l-DemOresfs MdgdziRe.