The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1890-06-14

pleasure.
make this suggestion IN meeting
you this June, and leave il to the future. |
AGAIN, as always, welcome TO Lex
ingtOn.
GENERAL HISTORY Is. +. C. ALUMNK by
MRS. ELLA WHITING CAMPBELL.
"SOmetimes | have seen tall ship
glide by against the tide as il drawn by
some invisible bOwline, with hundred
strong arms pulling 1t. Her sails were
untitled. her streamers were dropping,
she had neither side wheel nor stern
whee.; still she moved on stately. in
serene triumph, as with her own lite.
But | knew that Oh the other side II
the ship, hidden beneath the great hulk
that SWAN so majestically, there was a
little toilsome steam-tug, with heart
oi fire and arms OF iron, that was tug
ging il bravely on; and knew if the
little steam-tug untwined her arm, and
left the ship, ii would wallow and roll
about and drift hither and thither, and
90 off with the refluent tide, no man
knows whittier And SO haye known
more than one genius, high-decked,
full-freighted, full-sailed, gay pennoned,
but that for the bare, toiIing arms, and
brave, warm-beating heart of the faith
ful little wife that nestles close to him,
so that no wind or wave could part
them, would have gone down with the
steam, and never been heard of no
more"
With this striking figure does D. w.
Holmes portray his ideal woman. In
vivid contrast are the words of the
younger Dumas:-"Woman was the
last thing God made. He made her
Saturday night. One sees how tired he
was" Shade of his mother rise up aud
haunt him for such ingratitude! Words
like these from the pen of All intelligent,
nineteenth century man seem i'll
credible; he might well 60 back to the
age of chivalry, and from the ignorant
aud superstitiOus of that day learn q
lesson OF courtesy. One naturally won
ders what class of women he has met
or known. Does he measure the whole
sex by some fashionable French wo.
man so ennue that she could not ap-
preciate his wit and brilliancy? Has
he been 30 unfortunate that he has
known no woman of such Intelligence
and devotion that the rugged uphill
path of lite was beguiled of its tedium?
And he journeyed along as though some
love retreat, blIssful with the music of
birds and radiant with flowers. 1t the
words were not splenetic Out-burst
we may pity Nj. Dumas, and congratu-
late ourselves that we are more than
repaid for his sarcasm in the beautiful
heartfelt sentiment OF Mr.. Holmes.
We may challenge the world to produce
a higher type OF humanity than an
American southern woman.
Have you ever attempted a piece OF
work, the execution of which fell so far
short of the perfection to which you
wished TO attain, that, after putting a
finishing touch here, and another there,
You at last found it such daub that
you threw it down in despair, and at
tempted it 10 more2 Ali then you
will understand when tell you that
attempted once and again TO portray the
many sided virtues oi my country
woman, but the picture was so made
quale TO the conception that destroyed
il in utter chagrin.
When one considers how patriotic
and progressive is this lady fair, ye
strenuously resisting" womsn's rights ;
when we enumerate the many prob
lens that have confronted her since a
d., 1865, all OF which have been solved
when we consider that in time o
national crisis and social convulsions
she is above the strife, breathing {
purer ozone, trusting, praying; tina
when many of the best and bravest o
our brothers look into the future will
dread, she beholds prophecy of choic
est blessings-a vision OF the future
"thrown forward like the mighty fan
like radii of sunset" when one con-
siders all this, repeat, who shoult
undertake it's description? Genius alone
: dare not lift my voice to exalt or Il
praise, save In one instance-it is con
cerning the one boon she Graves, tin
one weapon OF defense. Ii Is her de
: light in leisure, u solace in aflliction
and a dependence which renders he
independent in pecuniary misfortune
educatiOnl
y If you doubt this TO be the desire @
her heart, tell me why the girls in
q majority of families are given NOR
liberal educational advantages than tn
boys? Is it not because the former ar
. cfamorous for this use of their pal
, of the family patrimony? Wise is sb
who makes this choice; fortified wit
y such training she becomes "a perfeC
! woman nobly pIanned;" without it sh
can never rise TO the height OF her caps
>. bilities. A sensible, though unletterel
II toll worn woman recently said: g
d would not take anything for the little
= know and all my lie | shall regret ths
70 l have not what people call "a goo
20 education"
10 Realizing this, we exalt and magml
y the good our Alma Mater has wrough
~ For the space OF nearly two geners
:. tions-lOng enough 10 make il hOar
D! headed in this western country-it b,
u been powerful factor in the educatiC
" of woman, Notwithstanding shocks
~ war, financial depression and more Or
" tentious rivals.
u Its Alumne contribute to the pro
" .. perity and intellectually of tiftet
Vi states and territories. Among ther
.. we have a poetess, a reporter, q foreis
70 missionary, accomplished musician
~ many able writers, learned educator
~ help meets OF all sorts OF profession
!" men, and some OF the prettiest girls Il
nc country affords; for all of whom, q
V, v, rest of us, who are only "hewers
~ wood" fguratively, and "drawers
o. water" literally, we feel thorough a,
o. miration.
n Dear Alma MaterI we wonder II
he that thy daughters revere thee,
mother of preparation, of developmel
he OF broader activities, OF undying frien
ey ships, OF happy memories. OF noble
IS. ambitionsl We wonder not that at I
II, very mention OF thy name, thy chi
lis dren's fond hearts pledge anew the
ch love and fidelity. May thy streng
re increase with the years, becoming l
III source OF inspiration for our ever-broa
at ening circle.
e, TO the ''sweet girl graduates" W
no will to- night receive testimonials
he their Industry and ability, we cxtc1
oil glad welcome TO our sisterhOod. III
OF motto we would have You adopt at I
m commencement of your new iii
he "Whatever thy hand iindeth TO do,
OF it with thy might" l beg you to +
solve at this important hour that /
OF adulation OF the world for beauty
lie brilliance shall not come between Y,
sh and useful life. Nothing will aHo
w yOu sweet content like the satisfacti
Isl arising from Il clear perception al
faithful discharge OF every duty. "T
n consciousness OF duty done gives mus
IFS at midnight"
he TO the incoming president, Pr'
ell Il. L. Binford, we extend greeti
and sympathy. Under his tosteri
he care we hope to welcome many brig
es Young lives to our association.
ty The changes occurring to our mel
"A hnra uinca lima of GSp hava hann ua