The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-08-14

she was dellnquent-ln spite OF these Calls
delicate health. Mrs. Springer mas found
time to write. She has published two
novels. self" and "BeechwoOd." and q
volume of poems called Songs of the Sea-"
Many short stories and poems from her pen
have found place In periodical literature.
Self il a story of family life told in
simple, unaffected style and with many
touches of tender pathos. Without being
what is commonly classed as religious
tone, and its moral is obvious. namely. that
the continued indulgence OF even q
single selfish tendency In the dis
position Is likely to make wreck
of life's happiness. Earnestness,
a devOut spirit and a symDathetic nature
are here nncOnscIously manifested by the
author as her POSSESSIONS "Beechwood"
q book of similar high moral tone.
though it's theme Is different. STORIES so
free from sensati9palisD. so clean and pure,
are in marked contrasr To the lnrld)Ncsfon
that loads the bo0ksstands and debaosbthe
minds of the young, Mrs. Springer bias for
some time had in preparation a Novel
called Leon" on " hich she has putisome
of her best WORK, bat the recent seysge ILL
ness of Mr.. Springer has absorbed, her
strength and energies to the exclusion of
literary effort, and publication has been
delayed. go
Mrs. Springer's poems are sweetly serious
without having the melancholy shade that
chsraotorizes so much of the current verse.
She Ia gently reflective in style and some
what gwen TO moralizing. but the impress
sion the verses convey is of hope and cheer
fulness. not of gloom. She has special
fancy for the wild waves and many of her
songs. as the title of her book indicates,
have the sea for their theme. Some of these
Of pathetic character have been quoted
oh the floor of Congress by Hon. 5. 3. Cox
and others In support of the ''life-savlng
bill" and other benevolent measures.
With all her literary work and her social
cares. Mrs. Springer has devoted herself to
domestic affAirs, and is particularly happy
In her fam lily relations. So closely Is she
associated with her husband that in the
part in all his work. Their devotion to
each other Is we'll known, and is a subject
of admiring comment. They have but one
child. son. Ruter w. Springer. He is
yonng man OF fine character and much
promise. Mrs. John A. Logan, writing of
Mrs Springer in the Homo Magazine. has
this to say of her home life:
She is never 80 happy as when their home Is
full of young people. Their only son, Mr.. Rnter
woman in any country has more tender care
than is bestowed upon her by her two l0vers-her
husband and son. Many times the three
seen in society, father and son vfelng with each
other in their aallantry to her. and her young
lady friends, by whom she is almost always ac-
companied. Many OF her Illinois friends come
to her for the season at the capital She is so
unselfish that she cannot resist the temptation
To give them the pleasure OF being here dur
ing the gayeties, q privilege young people value
highly.
Mrs. Logan also speaks highly of her
ability as o reader and the power to por-
tray in recitation the pathOs OF her own
poetic conceptions.
Mrs. Springer herself, speaking of her
happy domestic life and the blessings with
w Jah ma ia
cOuld not well help being q Christian
woman, unless were too ungrateful to re-
coRnize Gods loving hand In my bappi.
ness" In reply to q question concerning
the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. butt0nhOle bOu-
quet worn by Mr. Springer. she explains
that AS no loved flowers it was always her
custom 10 pin O rose or caInatl0n upon his
coat " hen he left home in the morning. and
without Thought of attracting attention
she continued the habit VI hen they went 70
Washington. Presently, to their surprise,
the Hover was mentioned az a distinctive
mark. and the papers spoke of it If by
chance is was omitted.
Personally. Mrs. Springer is an attractive
woman, with sweetness and charm of man
ner that win friends wherever she goes.
She, too, like her husband, has distin-
gushing mark in dress. having fallen into
the habit of wearing gray gowns that har-
monte with her handsome gray hair and
dark eyes. 1t Is a fashion that pleases her
artistic friends, and they would protest
against a change of habit, were she so
inclined.
Space permits OF little quotation ftom her
work, but the closing lines of dramatic
poem entitled: The Wreck on the Strand
and which is favorite with the author,
are given AZ specimen of her style:
How like our mortal life is TO the sea.
Its TRANQUIL hours its storms, its mystery.
It's breaking waves. that ceaseess beat the shore
Like breaking hearts TINT hope till hope is o'er
Its fitting sails that meet upon the main
Like hearts that love an hour. then part again.
It's hidden graves. DER which the waters flow,
Hiding the skeletons that sleep below.
hts drifting sands, that kindly cover DER
Like passing years the wrecks that line the shore
Its shells whose paintive murmurs Of the deep
Are like the memories that will not sleep.
Its songs, that oft at cyentde We hear,
Like echoes from that world 40 far-so near.
Its haze, thro' which we see the distant land;
But most OF all its wrecks upon the strand.