The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-08-12

Wichita has put novel with a purpose
out into the world. II is called Orchids. D
Miss Leila Harlin Bugg is the author
ess- Her talent is known In Wichita foI
several works, outside OF fiction. This is
her first novel, and as it is probably the
first novel ever put out from Wichita it
viii be very interesting to every one here.
The volume IS attractively bound. the
title page being embellished with flower
from which the book is named. II was
published in st. Louis, and Will net the
euthOress a neat sum.
The literary critic of the EAGLE l. r. p
gives the following review of lie book.
Why named "Orchids ?" This is the
question that presents itself before read
ing: and as tie reader reaches the chapters
of Carol Kirwin's dinner and Mrs. Gil
lette's orchid reception he thinks, ah now
/ have 1t, sociology Is the underlying
theme
THE ordinary affairs of the social whirl
had palled on Mrs, Gillette, had palled es-
pecially on Ter taste as a hostess. The
ambition which ten years before was
satisfied If she could give savory
vlands IN rooms modestly decorated with
palms and ferns rented from the florist,
relieved by few cut flowers banked on
the mantleplece, and get the socially de-
sirabie people TO enjoy them, was now
eagerly clammOrlnZ for other and strange
fields to conquer. Each mounted round
IN the fairy ladder of entertainment only
revealed to hear the possibility of other
rounds, and what had seemed sufficient
once was the veriest insipidity now.
The ambition which may be typi-
fed by dinners and diamonds, is
quite as Unsuitable as the ambi-
ion of battletelds and diplomacy:
Mrs. Gillette was proud of her reputa-
tion, and her supreme desire was 20 evolve
an entertainment from her inner con
sciousness, or the inner consciousness of
somebody else whom her money could
command that would be different and
superior TO any thing New York had ever
seen. The florist begged she
weuld do him the honor TO inspect some
rare orchids Just obtained at great cost
aud trouble. The moment her eyes lighted
on the mysterious, gorgeous, wonderful
flowers their costly beauty appealing to
the love of the unattainable implanted
IN the feminine breast siHce Eve the idea
which had been in mental solution 50 long
was suddenly preciDitated. 81 havr il,
have it," she thought exultantly. Il must
give an orchid reception"
She piled the diferenJial florist with the
lackey soul, and the Yankee eve TO the
main chance, with questions about or
chlds IN every conceivable form. The
difficulty OF obtaining them in large quan-
titles was Just what she wanted, provided
the difficulty could be overcome She
waited until the season was at its
zenith, so as, the more eff
fectveIy to focus the attention of
society on its crownlng. most glorious
event, and then she began her preparations |
With orchids as the keynote to the decora- |
tions, there was absolutely no limit to the /
daring effects of startling gorgeousness |
she might attempt. Op0escen5 creues !
D4rSIan rlffaH ubr
cloth Of gold nangings, "a miniature HIndoO /
temple, marble fountains supported by {
Pagan gods, were all included.
The caterers had been given carte blauch,
wines had been specially imported, SER
wants in full livery stood elbow To /
Elbow around the horseshoe table. |
= The GUESTS bad done he part expected |
OF them and appeared IN charming toilets.
The new comeTs advanced In Il small |
phalauX TO salute their hostess. Aud what /
Psychologist could have analysed the sub
tie gradaIlons in her welcome? The well /
bred greeting to Wilson, the easy frieadlI-
ness TO Carroll. the familiar bow comrade-
ship with Raymond, the self-respecting
Difference 10 the peerl
As they moved away Wilson's face did
not share the smile OF good humor and
satisfaction of his cOmpanIOus.
"1ou see here the apothesis OF
American ambition" he said TO the earl
hot without a trace Of bitterness. money
speaks at every Iurn, money unlimited
practically, and that is what every body
must have over here if he wishes to be
nybOdy, or meet with any consideration
\ fellow who lacks the ability 20 make
a fortune had better hang himself in the
tart, and save himself lou OF useless
bother of living.
There is "a tradition that n circle exists J
where refinement aud culture ard all that
sort OF thing, are the ends. but 10
comedy IN real life swept over our country
a lew years ago, aud people took sides as
20 whether the suEtl over or tha golden /
rod were our national fl)wer.-howers that
Il mIlkmald may have; just u3 If every body
does not know weli as Mrs Gillette. (
that the orchid i our LatiOna! emblem; IT,
symbolIzes our highest ambition"
Leaving aside theory, answered Wilson.
Christianity as we see 10 Is merely mass
OF Couveu' localities, of forms, of cut aud
dried thought. IN the matter of sins. for in
stance, some are treated AS unpardOnable,
although a God Is supposed to pardon
everything. ana a man draws the lines very
closely around certain crimes be commits
himself, all hough they may be more often
slve TO the Supreme Being according to
his own stand ards than others he con-
demns p;tllessy. \ fellow oyerreaches
another In "A business transaction and he is
merely a shrewd nuAucier; poor wretch
takes an overcoat 10 protect himself from |
freezing 30 death, ana he Is branded As a / ,
thief The Ten Commandments are sup
posed, in our time, 20 have been given
10 women, pOt 10 men. The
world is "a mad struggle at best for all bus
the very few.
A rushing. eager, selfish mass appear on
the scene then che little drama i over,
and another set take the vucsut places" /
You ATE all ChTIstians because
You inherited the Christian bsliet; am
not. because | was left without even the
traditional penny when it comes to faith
of any kind. If | were TO judge Chris
tianity by some Christianity by some
Christians know" he looked at hrWn
at this, 'Ishould consider il divine, judged
10y the many il seenls sim.
ply a huge farce. The brotherhood
OF man. for instance-there is no situation
In comedy 10 equal it; the majority OF the