The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-09-22
QUARTER xyu-Continued.

"Poor Brian. What a state to be in.
Don't shudder any more. The places
30, and the people I meet, only hurt my
heart. A very effective hurt, too; for 1t
teaches me to appreciate my own gooa
fortune, and it makes me feel very re-
gretful to sit here amid 50 much COM
fort and luxury, and remember the many
victims OF the worlds injustice. You
could never imagine, Brian, what pas,
sionate delight that poor little crippled
girl took in the few flowers carried
her; and, while / watched her, l could
not help thinking what a revelation a
sight Of Elmwood would be to her. l
have been thinking of it ever since. SO
many plans have filled my heart,
but they are all impossible. 1 feel so
helpless and-rebellious. Doctor, you
are smiling. 1 don't think you quite
enter into my feelings. Can you
imag ne a woman living on the pro-
ceeds Of button holes. at a cent n a
half apiece? Agnes mother supports
herself so. She is satisfied, she told
me, when button holes ore plenty.
But now they are not. HOOKS and eyes
have taken their place. l told Nanny
the other day that 1 liked hooks and
eyes. Now I hate them, because l
know they have taken bread from at
least one woman's mouth. And sho IS
not alone. l feel that I have been liv-
ing in a small corner Of the earth up
to this time, and l am only just
awaking to real actual life. 1t Is q sad
revelation for me. I cannot tell you
how many women I saw to-day, and
how many others l heard OF, who sing
the Song Of the Shirt from daylight to
midnight-to whom its heart-break
and want are a living reality. How
can we talk Of the decentralization OF
the lower classes? How can we preach
to them? Shall we initiate the ex-
ample Of the man who gave a Bible
when the starving woman asked for
bread? We forget our souls when the
body is hungry; ct least, | should
But, II I were one OF those women,
wearing out my life for a plttance, l
| should not forget that the man for
whom l starved lived in a palace n
entoved the luxuries purchased with
my life blood. The world admires
such men, and calls them fortunate and
/ successful, because they have made SO
much wealth in a few years; but l am
very much afraid that, II l were in
their place, I should see a wan, hungry
face on every dollar
Isn't that rather severe, Mrs. Lcigh?'
Margaret did not meet Wilson's eye
as she answered this question.
"Pcrhaps it is. I'm afraid I always
express myself too strongly. These
things appeal to me- SO forcloly' ane
when feel. I feel intensely"
"Then take my advice n don't &C
among them" observed Brian, practl
cally. 1T is not true philosophy to seet
out the dark side of life. This is no
home, and you cannot be sure into wha
sort of places your wanderings may take
you. or what kind of characters you ma.
meet"
Margaret was thoughtful q moment.
Il do not chance upon much refine
ment and elegance" she said presently
but that does not affect me in any way
feel that 1 could take the hand OF tn
worst creature on earth and not be low
cred. You know I have q prelude
against those people whose excessiv
goodness shrinks from contact wit
others-not always SO much worse, onl
moro unfortunate than themselves
They are the Pharisees, who thank Go
they are not as thoir neighbors are
Suppose We should initiate them. INK
to see the picture Of the woman cllne
Ing TO the cross, and I confess l find
inspiring; but at the same time, l car
not help thinking that the woman VII
holds out her hand to an unfortunat
sister Is more helpful and more noble
If the world thinks otherwise disagree
with it. Don't draw down your lips
that pathetic way, Brian. This isn't
sermon. I sha'n't say another word.
Margaret settled back in her chat
with an air OF determination that rattle
: amused Wilson.
: II am on your side OF the question
he replied, with d smile. so Is Brial
!, if he chooses to admit as much"
I'm incapable of any admission iu
now" put in Brian. l am wholly 10
in admiration Of Margaret's facility f
d~isposing Of all opinions not her ow
! and marching on to victory. She has
way Of bringing out her cloSing remark
which says quite decidedly Their
i that's final. Dispute if you dare!' 1t
useless to say oh, Brian!' Margare
The fact is true. You have a mo
astonishing t~enacity for your own idea
You can out-argue the greatest loglcii
( on earth. Out-talk him. l should say
Thanks for the correction. 70
distinction is delicate, but obvious.
would be too much, ! am sure, for al
man to give q woman credit Tor
: ability to argue. I wonder what pc
men will do, when they are forced
% recognize woman's mental eGuailt
3 Perhaps even her they will continue
indulge in witty satire, at her expen;
( We forgive them. 10 lecture US affor
70 them innocent amusement, aud tn
really haven't the grace to echo On;
~ lotte Bronte's prayer: when L IA
" nothing to say, may the Lord give
grace to be silent
8, you have US quite defenseiess, M
Leigh. Brian has not a word to S;
. and / am but little better. How are
to find consolation for your untlatteri
opinion?"
"You would not be q true man, d.
tor. if you did not find it within so
self. have often thought that you
the natural follower of sDescart
] Theoretically and practically YOU Il
the ego all sufficient"
Worse and worse" laughed Wils'
And Brian r~ejoiees in my discomfitu'
Shall I regret being a man"
by no means" returned Margar
1T is the next best thing to beini
oman You have the easier side
life, too. We have the harder.
lions share Of suffering falls on US, 6
uan,nst san nnr duty under the m