The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-03-21
AN AMERICAN GIRL.
How She Won the Friendship of q Fa.
nous English Statesman

nous English Statesman.
About two years before his death.
Charles Sumner was ordered abroad bv
his physician. On the steamer in which
he sailed was mother with her three
children, whom she was taking to Eu-
rope to be educated. 1t happened that
the only girl of the party was seated
near Mr.. Sumner at the table, and could
hear much of his conversation. In a
short time she became fascinated with
the rare personality that for so MANY
years had inspired great political
party. y
She listened eagerly to every worSa
but soon became greatly mortified be-
cause she could not understand much of
what he said. She had never studied
the science of Government; she knew
nothing of European politics, and little
of American history.
For the first time in her life she re-
allied that an interesting, helpful
science had been neglected in her edu-
cation. She determined to supply the
omission for herself, and on reaching
England began the study of American
politics. The functions of the different
parts of government, Legislative, ju-
dicial and executive, the duties of an
American citizen, political parties, who
vote and why, town-meetings, educa-
ton, taxes, labor and capital, strikes,
banks, commerce, diversities of indus.
tries-all these she soon found to be
factors in a fascinating problem.
Her growing enthusiasm amused her
friends, especially her brothers. What
could be the use of a girl troubling her
head about such things? they asked
The answer came in manner quite un-
expected.
One evening during their continued
residence in England the family was
invited to small reception given by
John Bright, then at the zenith of his
fame. Shortly after their entrance into
the drawing-room the conversation
turned to American politics, in which
MIR. Bright manifested great interest.
A convention was at that time in ses-
sion in Western city, and much anxi-
ETY. was expressed about the nomination
which it was likely to make.
Turning to an American gentleman,
Mr. Bright made some inquiry as to the.
rules governing the formation of such
an assembly. The person addressed,
evidently greatly chagrined at his ig-
norance, was obliged to answer that he.
did not know. Appeals to three other.
guests met with the same response.
Then, to the surprise of every one, a
modest little American girl advanced
timidly to Mr.. Bright and gave him the
desired information.
Mr.. Bright was delighted. He seated
himself at the girls side and talked
with her for the entire evening, and
when taking leave of her said to her
mother:
''You Americans have indeed made
advan ,es in education. The
future of country is secure when the
young men and women alike are trained
to intelligent understanding of the laws
which govern them. The next genera
ton will be race of patriots
few days afterward came an urgent
invitation for the entire family to spend
4 week at the Bright homestead. There
the little American was introduced to
Mr.. Gladstone and many other promin-
ent English statesmen.
Her unique experience is very sug-
yestive. How many of our young peo-
pie are at all acquainted with the pres
ent state of European politics? Too
many of them, indeed, have yet to
earn the very alphabet of their own
Overnment.-Youth's Communion