The Portland daily press., 1891-10-20
MRS. LoPER's AMBITION
lCongregationalist.1 ]
RY REBEcCA HARDING DAVIS.

very lew Oh Tue WOmeu III IOttStpWu cUulu
have told you. If suddenly questioned, what
were their aims In life. They tried from
day to day and hour to hour to do their duty
to husband, children, home and the church.
But Mrs. Loper had one ambition, one
clearly defined purpose 1t was, to be ad-
mitted to the Smalley set. She probably
never put this desire into words, even to her.
self, but 1t dominated her life.
Now the Smalley clique did not by any
means comprise the most scholarly or re-
fined or best bred, nor even the weathiest
people in POttstown. Their claim to social
distinction was based solely upon the fact
that they had lived In Pottstown longer than
their neighbors. Outsiders wondered why
anybody should stay in the little smoky mill
town who could get out Of it, But these
people, simply because they had lived for
three generations In its smoke and CRIME,
held themselves haughtily aloof from later
comers. whom they regarded very much as
the mobiles OF Saint Germain did the cdndille
of Bonaparte's day.
Mrs. Loper was new conner. She was
descended from a good old Revolutionary
family. Her husband was lawyer of abil-
ity; his elOquence had gained him reputa-
tIon throughout the State. He was man
Of integrity, of much distinction in manner
and character; he was able to support his
wife In comfort. even luxury. But Mrs.
Loper, coming to live in Pottstown few
years after her marriage, felt herself to be
one of the canGilLe.
Mrs. Smalley did not call upon her.
ThQra nara fnapu nthar xvopaa, ix 4bo
town outside Of this exclusive circle. Mrs.
Judge Pierce. the stately old lady in the
great house on the hill, had quietly with
drawn from 1t. She looked with cold disap-
proval upon Mrs. Smalley and her fast, fool
ish doterie. The Langdons gathered mu-
sical, literary group about them and keenly
enjoyed their social life. There were many
earnest, devout people, too. who were wholly
occupied with charitable and religious work,
and never spent thought on their fashion
able neighbors.
Mrs. Loper knew that she could find con-
genial companions among any of these peo-
ple-in her secret soul she sneered at little
Mrs. Smalley's ignorance and vulgar preten-
sions-but she was wretched as long as that
arbiter of society in Pottstown did not call
nor invite her to her receptions.
For, although the Smalley set was preten-
tious and underbred. it was acknowledged
to be the hdEt ton Of Pottstown. If you had
a card to Mrs. Smalley's receptions you be-
longed to society" If your house stood on
the hill on which she and her friends lived,
it was worth several thousands more than If
1t was in pleasant quarter. (0f course 1t is
only in Pottstown that this absurd condition
Of affairs exists in this countryD
Mrs. Smalley appreciated to the full the
power which circumstances had placed in
her hands. Her favor was not easily won.
Years passed and size had not yet recognized
Mrs. Loper's presence in the town. In that
time Sarah Loper. who had much strength
Of character, would have accepted and SUBJ
mitted to any other Observation-Disclosures
or lame leg, for example. She would not
submit to social ostracism.
"Imust visit In the best society or not at
ALL" she told her.husband.
She worked her way into charitable or
ganlzation in order that she might meet Mrs.
Smalley on the committees. Next she gave
up the pew which they occupied in the old
church and took costly one In the new edi-
fee in which most of the Brahmin caste
were members.
Now her husband protested vehemently.
II am deeply attached to old DR.. Mailing"
he said. "He helps my soul on its way to
heaven. AS for this fiIghty boy in the new
church, cannot hear him with patience; be
is callOw and inexperienced. will not
promise to go with you, Sarah"
Mrs. Loper was daunted. but only for
time. The prize was SO great for which she
Played To gain 1t Mr.. Loper might submit
to be bored for an hour on Sundays, surely.
She took the pew and contributed largely
to all church expenses. When, after a
month or two, some of the exclusive set
called upon her. her triumph was so great
that she scarcely noticed that her husband
remained at home on Sundays and by de-
grees became Indifferent to all church work.
When they were first married they formed
the habit of studying chapter In the Bible
together every morning. But Mrs. Loper's
time.was so occupied now with her social
duties that she.neglected 1t. At first, when
she saw her husband sitting alone with his
Bible, her heart gave. her a wrench OF pain,
but after few weeks he, too, gave up the
habit.
In other ways their lives were affected by
her new ambition. They had nourished
high hopes for their children, had made
many anxious plans to insure them sound
health, sane, strong minds and noble charac-
ters. When Bob was but year old they
had. begun to examine into the claims of diff
ferent colleges. While Nelly was baby on
her breast Mrs. Loper had dreamed out her
future as helpful. Christian wife and moth
er.
Her.aims for the children were changed
now. Bob was kept away from school to
practice part in tableaux and private the
atrlcals, in which he appeared in a Direc-
toire costume Of velvet and lace. Nelly soon
learned that the object of her life was to
dance, to sing, to appear in pretty, new
gowns, to make herself conspicuous among
the other children, In the hope that Irene
Smalley would invite her to her Christmas
ball.
Their father-made feeble protest.
"0ur whole motive of life Is changed,
Sarah,,' he said. "The minds Of the chill
dren are. filled with trides. Our home life is
gone, and instead there is a constant buzz
and tumult about dress and balls or some
other folly"
Il do not consider the social position of my
children trile or folly" she replied, sharp.
ly.
Il only know" he answered, "that you
once hoped to fit them to be Gods servants
In this world and the next Now your high
est hope Is to mt them for the Smalley set."
She did not reply. The subject was never
broached between them again. Mr.. Loper's
death a year later left her wealthy widow
with no restraint upon her social ambition.
She succeeded In gaining foothold In the
fashionable circle. 1t was not secure, and
she was perpetual, forced to curry their
favor by mean little arts for which she de-
spised herself. Bob, much to her delight,
became the intimate friend Of Jem Smalley.
1t was whispered In Pottstown that Smalley
was corrupting the boy, and would make
him as profigate as himself. But his moth
er, when she saw her boy driving or riding
with the leader Of fashion, did not ask what
lesson of life he was learning from him.