Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-07
In LOVES LOTTERY.
More Women Have Drawn Fame Than
Have Won it for Themselves.
LUsTRE OF HUSBANDS TITLES.
Only Two Of the Presidents Wives Shine
by Their Own Light
WASTING ENERGY IN SOCIAL WARS
WRITTEN FOR THE p1sPArcH.l

Nonentities who have risen to fame and
have found an established place in history
through the lottery of love are numerous.
Prominent women of this age will be known
hundreds of years hence-as are now the
Julias, the Claudias, the Octavias, the An
tomas of ancient Rome-not for their own
deeds, but as the wives of Presidents. EN-
perors and Kings, and of men who have
become famous. Mrs. Astor who, as the
vile of the richest man in America, occupies
a position of prominence in society second
to none in the country, will 30 years hence
have faded into fortgetfulness, while some
of the obscure women who WELD the pen or
walk the stage or talk to listening thousands
will have their names filed upon flames
eternal bead roll"
Mrs. Harrison, first lady Of this mighty
Republic, whose name now is in everybody's
mouth, whose sayings aud doings, whose
goings forth and comings in are heralded
and recorded beyond those of the greatest of
queens, will have subsidized century hence
into two lines in the Biographical Eucy-
clopedia-just as Martha Washington is to-
day. To the immortal George is given
N,
while the woman with whom he said he
would rather spend one month at home
than seven times seven years in the Presi-
dency, is barely mentioned.
THE PROPER ORDER. PERHAPS.
This is, perhaps, the proper order of things.
George was the grand figure before the
world, and Martha was only feme covert.
But yet she was queen of society. AS
Lady Washington she held high court dur
ing the first administration, and, by her
levees and hospitality, made herself power
In the social domain.
Success in society, which means living at
the top of the heap, revelling in wealth, or
perhaps marrying title, constitute the sole
ambition of many women's lives. To this
they bend every energy, point every wish,
sacrifice every desire. For this they tramp
down conscience, honor and honesty. For
this they will let all love and friendship go.
Women there are so infatuated, so silly, so
destitute of the divinest qualities that when,
by some freak of fortune, they become
possessed of the almighty dollar, they turn
their backs upon their old friends, give their
old neighbors the cold shoulder, and devote
themselves to pushing into what they deem
a higher state of existence, where they can
achieve a name among millionaires and
times exhibited the desire for conquest OF an
Alexander, the unfinching courage of a
julius Caesar, the resolute, indomita BILE
stubborness of u Grant. But to what end7
WHAT WOMEN MAY WIN.
Jay Gould pushed up from the ranks of
poverty to be the ruler of Wall street. He
will 60 down in history as a money king,
who could buy up dozen of the petty
princes OF Europe-and WELD a power that
could upset the Kingdoms of the earth. He
has something to show rs the result of his
brains, force OF energy, exercise of shrewd-
ness and talent for foresight. But when a
woman who makes it her goal to get into
society, to swell around with the "four hun
dred," to hobnob with decayed nobility
and ally her plebeian family by purchase or
bribary with patrician blood, what does she
receive in return? Do scorn, ridicule, So
cial sufferance ouly and barren honors re-
ceiyed pay in sweet content? Does this
ceaseless energy, this untiring pursuit OF
place in society, this burning desire Tor the
laurels of the social world fnd reward in
the fame for which
Men write. speak. preach. and heroes kill,
And bards burn what they call their midnight
taper."
1t is pitiful to think of the triumphs and
ambitions of women as recorded in the
society world. Think Of the biggest display
of diamonds constituting the greatest vic
tory +! Contemplate battle of the factions
OF the "four hundred" as to the wording oi
a visiting cardl Contemplate the women
who are "in," engaged in constant con-
spiracy to keep others "out I" What u
laudable enterprise! what a noble ambition
MISTAKES OF SOCIETY.
"A line must be drawn" said Mrs.
Blank, the other day. II think 1t should