The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-21
lRAl ION ROGERS AGENTS, MADISON STREET. MCAT
and who would control an impulse to Of


sity TO see and mention the flaws in others
gave them the reputation OF mischief
makers and gossips and always got them
into rows, as you say your methods do.
think culture and talents impose
certain amount OF control on us. The
courteous treatment OF another and the re-
straining our brutal impulses is all that
distinguishes our manners from ignorant
Doors.
You say you cannot control your pen.
Then you need straight Jacket
a person who feels an impulse 10 wound
and kill and cannot control it is usually
called insane. All sane people have juris-
diction over such impulses il they choose
TO exercise it.
You cay you do not care for the opin-
ions OF people.
/ do not care for tho opinions OF people
| meet on Broadway. yet | would not ex-
hibit my Indifference by thro wing vitrol
in their faces or pulling their noses, even
ii was paid to do So Nor should /
boast OF the attention / attracted as an cv-
idence CT unique talents, ii / did act in
this manner.
However much we dislike people we
are compelled TO iostle against them in
this world. We are all here and none OF
us are responsible for coming. But the
fewer causeless hurts we give the better.
We may be obliged TO wound in giving
just criticisms or advice, but we certainly
do not need TO ridicule anolher's appear
ance.
am sorry that YOU do not realize the
happiness resulting from thoughtful kind
ness toward humanity.
One new year made resolve to 60 out
OF my way TO do some little act, say some
little word, giYe some little help. II posi-
BILE, incognito, to n new person each day
OF that year. II brought me more happi-
ness than all my literary achievements.
Your attitude 10 unofending people be-
Titles and degradcs your talents. II Is the
office OF cheap penny-a-liners 10 assault
because they do not know how TO criticise.
There is fine distinction between gall
and gush. II is the test OF ability TO find
II. Anyone can abuse or iiatter.
Even were your peculiarities result Of
climate (which they are mott. you should
have the good taste 10 modify them in
New York. II all the women in kanka-
kee sit with their limbs over chair arms In
company II would not excuse the attitude
In New York. i. may be the fashion 10
thought good form here.
have a strong Imagination and am able
10 understand the temptations that lead
most people 10 err. / confess lcannot un-
derstand any temptation to deliberate
cruelty like yours. Call II what you will
by any fine rare name-it Is nothing but
tho most common type Of feminine malice
which permits q woman 10 ridicule an.
others misiortunesin print.
have been poor aud In need Of money,
and have had opportunity TO write about
people, but / never saw tho day |
could have slept an hour in peace II | had
wantonly wounded another person without
cause -as you have wounded me. There
Is not money enough in the world 10 pay
me for one such item, written about an un-
offending person.
You tell me that al You want Of people
IL 10 be left alone. Did ii ever occur TO
you that they might ask the same OF you?
You are perfectly justified in cHticising
work. / give Il TO the public, and II you
choose 30 abuse II, that Is only part OF
the career was born into, aud, however
severe. Il may benefit me. But you can.
not benefit me or the world by calling at.
lcnlion TO my physical defects.
II Is q bad thing for any woman TO know
that she Is agcing or that she Is not pos.
scsscd Of beauty. All my life have been
the recipient OF as much love and aiten-
ton rs falls TO the lot Of any woman. All
that Is sweet aud precious and deep and
profound In LIES experiences have come
to inc. and no professional beauty ever got
moro out OF existence than |. Yet | have
always loved 10 be beautiful, and gladly
acknowledged beauty In others. Now that
my life Is anchored In a love 80 perfect
that all the rayages OF time or age cannot
affect II, elill feel incXpressibly sad In the
thoughts Of losing the few charms ! do
possess. Fortunately for all Of Us, this
ideal Of personal appearance Is greatly q
matter Of individual opinion.
You ought 10 have given your subject
more study and viewed il In more lights
before you described Il.
Had revealed myself rs freely In full
dress when YOU called, ~ YOU revealed
yourself when | called, your meagor
charms Of body might have been abashed
before my own generous ones. And my
"mouso-colorcd tinis, ~ YOU must know,
could easily become lovely golden by
calling In the aid OF the hair blcachor
think all observing people see oppor-
tunitics for picking flaws. The last day
saw you In ilie cruel light Of the staloner'
shop In your morning attire, ! noticed
with surprise that your former delicate
complexion looked sillow aud shtiyclled.
II gave me an absolute pang Of regret n,
u does when notice the first whitening oi
n beautiful rose. adore beauty, and
would gladly see MI women remain beau
liiul forever. explained 10 myself that
your appearance was due 10 overwork ant
late hours, and that you would look quite
Ike another person at another time.
would not have expressed my menta
criticisms OF your faded looks that day 4
oven a member OF my own family, muct
less In pnnt. would have apoloqzed io
you had they been mentioned 10 me b!
any third person, and declared that yot
only needed rest TO be ne charming a
ever, which I am sure was the case. Blu
then ! am not n Californian
Hoping and believing that In your mex
incarnation, II not Lorc, you may sufIc
exactly rs much as you have needlcssl
and brutally caused others 10 suffer here
Twill take farewell Of you. Sincerely yours
ELLA WHEELER Wilcox.
To this letter Mrs. Anterior made no r.
Spouse. She was evidently wise onougl
not 10 play with Gre any longer.
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