St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-01-09
IN THE SMALLEY SET.

IN THE SMALLEY SET.
Tho Ambition of a Life and How
It Was Realized.
Very few of the women in Potts
town could have told you, if suddenly
Questioned. what were their aims il
life They tried from day to day and
hour to hour to their duty to husband
childrens home and the church.
But Mira koper had one ambition
one cleafly defined purpose. II was te
be admitted to the Smalley set She
probably never put this desire into
words, even to herself, but it dominated
her life.
Now the Smalley clique did not by
any means comprise the most scholarly
or refined or best bred, nor even the
wealthiest, people in Pottstown. Their
claim TO- social distinction was based
solely upou the fact that they had
lived IN Pottstown longer than their
neighborA 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 ReDeratiqps in its smoke
and CRIME. heA theMselves haughtily
aloof from later comers, whom they re-
garded very much rs the mobiles of
Saint Germain did the canai.le of Bona
parties day.
Mira Loper was q newcomer. She
was descended from Q good old revolu-
tionary family. Her husband was .
lawyer of ability; his eloquence had
gained him q reputation 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
Nrs' Loper, coming to live in Potts
town few years after her marriage.
NrA Smalley did not call upon her.
TherO wese maqy other women in
the town outaidef this exclusive cir
Gle. Mrs Judge Pierce, the stately old
lady IN the great house on the hill,
had quietly withdrawn from it She
looked with cold disapproval upon
ArA Smalley and her fast foolish
coterie. The Langdons gathered .
musical. literary group about them and
keenly enjoyed their social life. There
were many earnest, devout people, too,
who were wholly occupied with chari-
table and religious work, and never
spent thought on their fashionable
neighbors.
Mrs Loper kne " that she could find
congenial companions among any Of
these people-in her secret soul she
sneered at little Mrs. Smalley's igno-
rance and vulgar pretensions-bu she
was wretched rs long IS that arhiter of
society in Pottstown did not call nor
invite her to her receptions
For, although the Smalley set was
presentious and under bred, it was &C
knowledged to be the haut ton of Potts
town. II you had card to Mr.. |
Smalley's receptions, you belonged tc |
.ssociety." If your house stood upon
the hill on which she and her friends
lived, it was worth several thousands
more than il it was in pleasant quar-
ter. (Of course 1t is only in Pottstown
that this absurd condition Of affairs ex-
lists in this country.
Mrs Smalley appre ciated to the full
the power which circumstances had
placed In her hands. Her favor was
not easily won. Years passed and she
had not yet recognized Mrs Loperis
presence in the town. In that time
Sarah Loper, who had much strength
of character, would have accepted and
submitted to any other misfortune-
blindness or q lame leg, for example.
She would not submit to social ostra-
cism.
Il must visit in the best society or
not at all" she told her husband.
She worked her way into a chari.
table organization in order that she
might meet Mrs Smalley on the COM
mittees. Next she gave up the pew
which they occupied in the old church
and took q costly one in the new edi-
fee in which most of the Brahmin caste |
were members.
Now, her husband protested vehe-
mently.
II am deeply attached to old DR..
Mailing" he said ''He helps my soul
ON its way. to Heaven AS for this
Eighty boy in the new church, / can
mot hear him with patience; he is shall
low and inexperienced. I will not
promise to 60 with you, Sarah"
Mira Isoper was daunted. but only
for . moment The prize was SO great
for which she played To gain it Mr.
Loper might submit to be bored for An
hour on Sundays. surely.
She took the pew and contributed
largely to al church expenses When
lfter . month or two. some OF the ex-
.lusive set called upon her. her
triumph was 90 great that she scarcely
,6ticed that her husband remained ut
rome On Sundays and by degrees be-
.ame indifferent to all church work.
When they we're first married they {
ormed the habit Of studying chapter
q the Bible together every morning
But Mrs. Loper,s time was 20 occupicd 1
,ov With her social duties that she !
selected Il. At Rrst, when she saw {
'er hushand sitting alone with his [
Iible, her heart esve her wrench OF
ain, but utter . few weeks be, too
ave mp the habit
In other says their lives were .
@ected ~ her new ambition They :
"A nourished hwh hopes for their
hilaren, .aid uode Dany anxious :
aans to insnre the@ sound health, !
-. stuou4 mlnns snn1 noele char-
- rWhea Dobswos - = yeex Old !
- beegnt - ssn13ne into eae
n61nn - i1fG1l16d I4Gu11k0p Whfle !
4 . - = 1911
= - = tklS ",