Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-12-03
THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE.
London Truth.

When it was announced that the
Hon. Lillian Cu1zon-the energetic or
ganizer of the Primrose League-was
desirious Of ,tablishing Danes
Habitation at Snobton the Conserva
tive ladies of that little town were
thrown into fiutter Of delicious ex
element. AS the SnobtOn people
were very Conservative, and the wO
men even more so than the men, it
was notsstrange that the Hon. Lllian's
project was received with enthusiasm.
No doubt the enthusiasm of most OF
the ladies was due to real political
feeling; but it would scarcely be
unCharltable 70 say that with many
ii was largely the result OF desire to
mingle with their betters, SO that if the
scheme had been proposed by the vi
cars daughter instead Of q Peers
daughter they would have received ii
much more cody. Among ladies of
the latter class the chief Of which was
Mrs. Tallow, the wife of the wealthy
butter merchant of that name. Mrs.
Tallow was probably thorough Tory,
but she was unquestionably com
plete hankey. If she believed in Troy
principles it was by faith alone, since
knew nothing about then1-a default
for which she May the more readily be
excused, as since Lord Randolph
Churchill, can4e to the front it has pe-
come extremely common among the
better informed and more discerning
than she. But her Eelief-whatever
it may have beeu- in Torylsm was as
nothing compared with her reverence
- H.,
ped these with an unutterable love and
devotion and ever since her butter
dealing husband began to heap up a
fortune it was her ambition 10 use it to
bring her nearer these gods and GODDESS
es of her idolatary.
This ambition her husband appeor-
ed not to share. He discouraged all
her efforts in that direction and for a
long time she was compelled to pine
In the obscurity Of her own class. She
was past middle age, and as yet the
Vicar and his family were the most
fashionable of her acquaintances, and
she could not conceal from herself
that even they scarcely recognized her
as an equal. She had almost aban-
doned her ambition as hopeless, when
1t was aroused to life again by her re-
eeipt of the circular about the Prim-
rose League. 70 be sure, it was only
a printed circular; but it was directed
by the instructions, perhaps by the
hand of the Hon. Lillian CHrzon; and,
properly used, it might be made the
means of establishing an acquaint-
ance with that lady. Mrs Tallow
resolved not to let such good chance
slip.
A very short time spent in reflection
was enough to decide the course she
should take. See would at once
write, in reply TO the circular, and as
sure the Hon. Lillian of her enthusiast
tic support, and place her services at
her disposal. She did so, and, to her
inexpressibie joy, next days post
brought her a reply in the Hon
Lilian's own handwriting. 1t thanked
her for the offer and accepted it, re-
questing her at the same time to call
a meeting of the Conservative ladies
of Snoblon to discuss the project and
make preliminary arrangement
When these were finished, if Mrs.
Tallow would kindly inform her,
the Hon. Miss Lillian Curz0n would
be glad to attend the inaugural meet
ing.
Mrs. Tallow at once accepted this
duty, and without delay, sent circu-
lar 10 the other Snobton ladies, stat
ing that by request Of Mss Curzon.
she desired the honor OF their attend
ance at meeting at her house for the
purpose of making arrangements for
establishing a Danes Habiation of
the Primrose League. Ga the day ap-
pointed many ladies attended. Mrs.
Tallow presided, and she noticed with
delight her hearers envious looks
when, in her address from the chair,
she referred to TIE communications
which had passed between herself and
her friend, the Hon. Lillian CurZon.
The Wears wife, who expected to
have the carrying out of the arrange
ments herself, was particularly cross
and when, after the meeting was
over, she left In company of some OF
the more genteel folk present, she
told them that she felt no very warm
interest ia the undertaking. as ever
since Tory Democracy came into fash
ion, Conservatism was nearly as bad
as Radicalism; it was continually
trucking to the lower classes.
These remarks, it NAV be guessed,
soon found their way to Mrs. Tallow's
ears; but she only laughed at them.
The Wears wife might be as bitter as
she pleased; Mrs. Tallow had the
trump cards in her hand, and kne W it.
Every day notes passed between hel
had. 1t was red ieeter day in Mrs