Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1890-11-29
Sunday RfaafuB,
Noblesse 0blige.

w INT uOeo IL ulSuIl, WOuuSI'
unused Alice Hamilton. "I've run
across that phrase ever so many
times lately. How / wish l knew
French! 'NobleSSe'-that must be
something about mobiles, fancy; and
'O6Rge'-wby that seems thoroughly
English. I dare say people are oblig-
ed to do as the nobility wish, since
they have the power, but some way
that meaning doesn't exactly fit here.
I'll ask Aunt Fanny, may be she'll
know"
Miss Lee, the younger sister of
Alice's mother, was that most charm
ing member of family, an aunt old
enough to be constant referee, advis-
er, and counsellor, and not so old as
to have lost her acquaintance with
young girlhood. 1t followed that to
her cosy room came many puzzling
questions.
"What does 'No6leSSe O6Hge' mean,
Aunt Fanny? Is it that the nobility
can force the common people to do
as they like because they have the
power?"
Miss Lee smiled as she answered,
81 think you have turned the mean.
ing quite topsy-turvey. Suppose you
look among the quotations from for
eign languages in the back part of
the large dictionary" She liked the
plan of letting people find out things
for themselves, knowing that is the
best way to make them remember.
Alice turned to the heavy book
which always lay open on its stand
and read, "NobleSSe O6Lige. Rank inn
poses obligation"
She looked as if she didn't fully
understand, although a glimpse of
light had come.
Perhaps" said her aunt, "a free
rendering would be something like
this: We have right to look for no.
BILE actions from persons of noble
birth. Or this-noble birth brings
with it the obligation to lead a noble
life. You see that reverses ourldea;
the obligation is upon those who are
noble, not imposed by them. 1t is a
beautiful proverb, and has a wider APP
plication than you may think, reach
ing even to you and to me-"
"Why, l don't see how, Aunt Fan
ny, since we are all equal in this
country; there is no titled class"
"Some months ago / read a beauti,
full story about Jenny Lind and the
Princess Alice. 1t may help you to
see what 1 mean. You know we
read the life of the Princess Alice to-
gether, and you remember what q
kind heart she had, always interested
for and ready to help the poor. OF
course, in her high station, her in
tiuence in such ways was very great
Jenny Lind had just such heart too,
and when she was asked to sing fol-
the benefit of orphan asylums, OF
hospitals, she did it with a willing
grace, often, indeed, sacrificing OPP
portunities of gain to herself. She
did this so many times that the Prin'
cess Alice, who was her great friend
once demonstrated, telling her she
ought not to make such frequent sac
rifces; and what did the nightingale
say?
"'Dear Princess, your rank is your
royal gift, and you use it royalty
when you give your presence to the
opening of all charitable institutions
My voice is my royal gift, and shall
I not use it as freely for those who
are in need?" There was no answer
to such words as these. Were no
both women royal, though one came
from long line of noble ancestors
and the other was reared in poverty
and loneliness? Were they not peer
in heart, because both recognized tn,
force of 'NobIeSse O6Iige'? Do YOU
see, Alice?' and the aunt pushed
aside, with a fond touch, the wavinJ
hair, and looked into the earnest
questioning eyes.
"Yes-a little bit-but to me, Aun
Fanny, you said it applied even t,
me, and l don't seem to have an!
special gifts"-with little sigh.
"Well, dear, this is what was il
my thought. You and I, humbl
though our station may be, so far a
wealth or honors are concerned, ar
yet members of the highest nObil
ty."
Alice stared, then the light brok
over her face as Miss Lee went on:
GIVE are Christians. and over,