Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-05-11


matter of-fact way,
perhaps, of looking at the subject, out
it is usually the point at issue. 10 an
swer one question with another, II
might again be asked, What is Implied
by getting on in society? Those VINO
do not get on know a good deal about
this depressing condition and could
give the best Interpretation OF what
mot getting on signifies. Society pop
ularity is attained not by one type OF
woman alone, but by many and most
diversified types. One thing is GER
tain, however, circumstances and sur
roundings either create and foster pop
ularity or are dead against its growth.
Riches and rank are, 1t goes without
saying, the most sure means to TINS
end and are the direct road to success.
Beauty, again, scores for its possessors
distinct popularity in society, and
when these three gifts are united the
position is exceptionally strong and
commands success. AS regards the In
dividuality of society women apart
from surroundings, what qualities are
best suited for winning the race and
reaching the goal? Does the vivacious
and merry animated and demonstra-
tive woman, or the reserved, self-con-
tanned and composed one come most to
the front and gain the greatest num-
Der of social laurels? Placing them
side by side and Judging from results,
the permanent gains are to the latter.
Women of this order are pre-eminent-
lJy ff11n on rio w r.
ever is lacking in them of brilliancy
and animation, and even of brain
power, is counterbalanced by an
amount of persistent perseverance that
produces a slow but sure effect. An
amusing woman is led away from her
point by the talent she possesses; she is
delightful company, but she does not
inspire the reliance upon her or the be-
lief in her that the less clever woman
does, while from marriageable point
of view woman who sees the humor
Gus side of every situation in daily
life is not the one a man desires to
make his wife, and a woman without
a scintillation of humor in her com
position is chosen before one who is
dangerously clever. For why? Most
men look for a haven of rest when en-
tering into matrimony and prefer
placid and reserved woman, even to
insipidity, to one whose conversational
powers are undeniable.
It is the placid woman who scores
the greatest success in society. Her
husband is under the spell of her influ
ence and never attempts to evade or
contest it; her will is law, and all that
she projects and desires is carried out
if within the region of possibility
Perhaps the secret of her supremacy
is that she is an unknown quantity;
she suggests the probability of there
being a depth in her character not cas-
lily fathomed, of there being so much
in her if the right note we're only
struck to sound it. AS girl this plac-
idity and unruff1ed composure attract
ed many suitors; as woman it secured
her a firm footing in society, and the
circle to which she belonged believed
in her to any extent and was not sur
prised at the strides she made in pop
ularity and to see how easily she grew
toward the light. Of mediocre women
there are many, and it is to them the
greatest share of social disappoint-
ments fall. Their mediocrity consists
partly in being neither one thing nor
the other-not amusing nor brilliant,
but merely laxative; chatty, if not COS
sipy; not attractively placid, but only
dull and commonplace; and, given sur
roundings equally moderate, what won
der is it that they find their level in
society, and, as natural result, do
not "get on" Originality is a gift that
wins for it's possessor quick and almost
instant recognition, but so few women
can actually lay claim to it; counter
felt originality generally amounts to
nothing more than eccentricity and I'M
conventionality, and, unless supported
by great wealth or acknowledged
beauty, society soon puts the right
name to it and is not too tolerant of
it in any case where or when it comes
to the front Literary women are now
becoming a great battalion in them
selves and society could hardly be con-
sidered complete without their pres
ence. Then, also, the wives of dis
tinguished men take front rank in
society and enjoy prestige by reason
of the names they have rendered con-
spicuous by the talents Of their hus-
bands AS regards getting on in So
ciety' the race is not always to the
swift; some have good start and yet
remain far behind; others, not so well
placed at the beginning, get front
place in an incredibly short time, or
they work out the proverb that every
thing comes to him who waits. Lon
don Queen.