The herald., 1895-05-14
in SOCIAL LIFE

The general meeting of the Ebel society
was held at the residence of the Misses
Parsons, 1926 South Olive street, yester-
terday afternoon. The rooms were well
filled with an interested and attentive
audience. At the conclusion of the very
clever papers that were read a social hour
was enjoyed and refreshments were
served. Mrs. A. P. Murphy's subject was
Delsarte, giving demonstrations OF the
correct poses. the way of standing and
walking. and concluded with a little poem
entitled An Old Sweetheart of Mine. Mrs.
DR.. Harvey spoke of Sanitation and Hy-
giene. A delightful piano solo was given
by Miss Ryan. Mrs. Harriet ". r.
Strong's remarks were upon What Is the
True Basis of Money? Mrs. Strong set
forth the money question of the day-ot
the men without work and women and
children without food. saying that no man
is wise enough to point a way out.
should all people think and study this
great question of finance. The question
Of money is the most important one.
from material standpoint before the
American people :oday. and they wait
with cruel anxiety upon congress to bring
relief-to the wealthiest nation OF the
world-with the rich products of our soil,
with mines of gold and slver-the richest
with storchouses filled with money
neither famine nor pestilence within our
boIders-we cry for help. we are poverty
and panic stricken in the midst of
plenty.
Mrs. Strong's able and we'll written
article. entitled The New Man, written
and read by Miss A. X. Parsons. The
subject was not so entirely devoted to the
new man as the ultra woman. 1t read as
follows:
Poor new man! How can he be made
to watch the new woman? Do you desire
he should? Consider the subject from
your own standpont. Do you want your
brother. father. husband or lover to ad-
mire the trousersed female bicycle rider?
Shall he see nothing unfeminine in the
new woman--not womanly in the way OF
riding? Shall he be content to see his
womankind strive with men for positions,
offices and labors of every kind? Shall
his love remain for woman-his old-fash-
ioned woman-or the feeling OF protec-
tio1 OF the home circle against the storms
that beat in the outer world? Shall he
gradually lose his fine. chivalrous instinct
and become a mean, selfish. grasping per
mate companion of the poor new
woman. Are we not tri1e weary
already of the new woman? Does
she soothe an bless us as does
the dear. old-fashioned gentlewoman
or the delightful modern woman of cul-
ture. who rides no hobbies-at least not
astride? The new woman has no time o.
inclination to discuss with you about the
little ones and their pretty ways. about
the new bonnet or artistic gown. Does
she ever look backward? Is it not always
forward, with eager, restless gaze? The
mad bicycle ride typities her. strainng
forward. ever aloof. nc time to lose.
Alas for Delsartel Where is reposc of
manner? Who're is dignity? Where
sweet. gracious womanhood? But what
has become of our new man? Has he
died by the way-succu nbed to their SUI
perior charms? Or has he folded his tent
like the Arab and silently stolen away?
Away with the woman who silently and
stubbornly refuses to be the new woman.
Does he really not exist? Will he really
never be? The fascination OF the old. old
story mas made our new man not old, but
strong man. tender and true. But OF
course the new woman will marry
and the man. alas! alas! he will be that
peculiar anomaly stigmatized as Mrs.
Nouvelle Femme's husband. Picture him
a few years after marriage, he is scarce a
man; indeeo he never grows up. flnan-
cal problems do not trouble him. He
takes slight interest in politics since
the all-lmportant she has been running
for sheriff. Once he really had ambition; (;
went to college; studied law but was mar
ried young to Miss Nouvelle Femme. Her
influence Las shown him wbaG an infe-
rioI creature he is. She has line capabili-
ties and opportunities. and has 10 Gime
for him. Our poor little pigmy is one
type of a man with stays now. Does lhe
present new woman promise ennobllng
influence over the other sex? and is this
to be ignored in our ardent pursuit of
the advancement OF woman? Let us be-
ware how we cheaper this God-given
power. Let not woman forget her po'
tent. silent influence in her wild desire
for what may be impotent public lnfiu-
ence. Another type of our new man is
the impertnent. smart youth OF today
who stares at our girls, makes hippant
remarks to young married women-who
are largely responsible for his misbe-
havior-knows no reverence for God or
family. and laughs at church. This style
is increasing alarmingly.
In our eager pursuit OF knowledge, even
of higher things. is there not danger of
forgetting that women are essentially diff
ferent from men-she will think so much
of herself. her rights. and her needs. that
81 e will grow selfish and neglect the ,ul-
tivation of the higher nature of man.
Let her beware how she helps him lose
not perfect equality so much ranted about
create a revolution that shall destroy
man and faith in woman. Let her re.
! strain her towering ambition, advance
| slowly--even allow herself to be called
conservative; the changes which must
| come will be SO gradual that mans mind
| will absorb them sciously. Then
| he will ever retain his love and reverence
| for the noble woman. nobly planned, to
| warn. to comfort and to command. " and
the poet may continue to sing-He rev.
|