Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-07-15
MRS POTTER PALMER.

The question is oitsn raised, Why do
writer's dwell upon the personal appear
ance aud manner of GreSs OF the women
they interview and utterly ignore the
same characteristic Of men? For the
simple reason, think l may say in at
tempting 20 answer the question, that
a woman'S dress is always an exponent
OF her individuality. When l met Mrs.
Potter, says writer, as she came
forward 30 extend 10 me her
graceful greeting l could but ask
myself. could any man yield such
an expression as this beautiful woman
does, no matter how hrainy and bril-
liant he might be, shorn OF her ad-
juncts OF dress aud womanly bearing"
A man at his physical best is but peg,
whereon the tailor hangs the dreary
mOnOtOny OF never varying suit OF
clothes, but the woman is like the calen-
dsr OF summer with every day a new
design.
What shall we talk about?" asked
Mrs. Palmer az she daintily adjusted
the sweep OF her violet train that fell
across che subdued coloring Of the rug
like a shower of pansy petals; III hope
il will be nothing pertaining 10 my
past" she added. 81 really think that
am unequal to anything more pro-
found or profitable this morning than
cosey feminine chat! Yes, am going
away 10 be gone year, and,
10 tell the truth, l go that |
may escape the aftermath of my
Worlds Fair career. l want TO burn
fr,rc hal
thing 10 escape the inaxhaustible flood
OF letters aud personally propounded
questions poured Ia upon me. The let
ters especially l must fly from; they eX-
hauSt my sympathies 10 that degree
that am half way.ill FROM the dread of
them. SO many poor women write and
tell me sorrowlul bits Of their hard his
tory, or unlock the doors behind which
Turk the skeletons OF domestic woe,
hoping, poor things, that l can show
them royal way out OF their difficult
ties. Il IS wearing thing 10 have 10
answer an these lea With cold blood
ed disclaimer Of any power to aid or to
comfort.
What do | think o! women, honestly,
since my experience Of the past few
years? Well, in the first place, | have
great faith in them, but l also doubt
their preparation vet for the future be-
lieved 70 be in store for chem. II takes
a vast amount OF training TO teach q
woman how 10 make the best OF her
self. She is too prone TO rush into ca
reer without classifying her abilities.
On the general principle that there is
an opening future for woman, she
rushes 10 the front without sched-
uliug her wares, as if drummer
should take the road without knowing
what he had 10 sell. Yes, | am going
20 Japan aud Ceylon; just think Of that.
| can hardly wait TO get to that spicy
land. We shall travel mostly in Orien-
tai countries and take our time. l
want TO forget who am and be with
out distinction OF any sort save that
which comes from being very happy
woman. Yes, feel that mine has been
q biSsiul aud sheltered life, hut IL
frightens me when | think that only
chance has made it so. There are
many women not so well adapted 10
bear burdens as am who have gone
down in the struggle that l only just
CHANGED 20 escape.
Talk about tempering the wind to
the shOrn lamb, 1T is only a haphazard
that the poor thing escapes the blast.
Many shorn lamb catches the pueu
monia aud dies, while we'll tleeced old
sheen are protected from the cold with
out regard to the temperament OF jus
tice." And so we chatted on, while
only casual mention of anything 50
dire as CarnoL'S assassination, which
Mr.. Palmer regarded as only a skirmish
shot in the battle being precipitated
upon the world by lawless forces, until
| rose TO 90. Need l say that | carried
away with me a memory like a strain OF
harmonious music OF my lovely hostess
and her home?