New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-08
WHY DO We DO 1T?
A QUESTION THE POPULAR CLUB WOMAN
ASKS HERSELF EVERY DAY.

A QUESTION THE POPULAR CLUB WOMAN
ASKS HERSELF EVERY DAY
Why do we do ito" said woman 10 another
al recent club breakfast. Both were enjoying
that dearly bought honor, a place at the presi-
dents table FOR such distinction means that q
speech is 70 be paid for It. and were exchanging
condolences over their mutual coming ordeal. The
question may well be asked why we women DO de-
lberately put ourselves In the way OF this suffer.
ing for suffering IL is. and distinct strain. You
are asked TO reply 10 a toast al club breakfast:
you are pleased and accept. Then for ten days
YOU carry that little extra burden tucked away be-
hind other cares but there all the time. and max
ing itself felt sufficiently often. As the day ap-
proaches. you find yourself waking suddenly In the
night and when you anayze the thought which
has reused you il is TO discover 1t to be that miser-
able speech. Finally. the day comes. You are
more or less prepared; you have thought over
what you will say and you have few notes jotted
down on two three visiting cards. perhaps.
which you may hold In your hand. Making your
toilet you present yourself at the breakfast.
There is n momentary elation as you discover you
are one of the lions OF the reception. but this
quickly subsidies as you take your place the head
table and see 200 women before you. for whose
holiday. presently you are 10 be butchered. The
menu Is ashes in your mouth. the talk winch you
try keep up with your neighbor IS disjointed and
merely with the lips. having no thought behind II.
for heart and mind are absorbed with what is COM
and horrible dread that at the critical mo-
ment you will forget what you expect 20 say.
friend-who does not have 10 speak-has told you
TO grasp firmly your opening sentence. and this
you are endeavoring 10 do. with less and less sue
the dessert and coffee arrive. AT length
your knell Is sounded in that awful scrape
chairs the company-you are tempted 10 think.
enemy-faces round TO listen The president rises
TO open the programme: it Is no consolation to see
that the hand holding her bouquet Is trembling like
an aspen leaf that her face Is pale and her words
come with a dryness that shows you at least an
contrary these telltale signs aggravate your
distress one after another Is called on your
beating thickly at every pause. for with the
dlabollc cruelty Which keeps the condemned muir
derer In French prisons ignorant OF the day and
hour OF his execution your place on the list Is UNI
for YOU know the time must be rapidly approaching
till-lt comes You hear the president saying
things about you, the familiar and have the
Measure 10 introduce falls your ears. there Is
horrible moment while you wait with a set smile
and PARKWAY look In your eyes Tor the per-
f,nctory applause TO subside. wondering the while
n your knees will support you and II those parched
lips and the clicking tongue behind them wiz ever
formulate Ineligible words. then you DO RISE max
ing "A wild clutch your opening sentence, una TX II
gone pull yourself together with an erort porn OF
the desperate crisis say something and continue 10
say n gathering a little Of your wits as you pro-
coed lose the thread once. eaten Il again al the
wrons place and finally close with the remark Win
which YOU had expected 10 begin Then YOU sly
down n great wave OF relief surgng over you, ana
Tor the FIRST time you know what Is going on aoou!
Won AT home that night you are weak, tired ana
starved and you go bed with a nervous mead
ache Why do We do IL. inceedI-,Mrs IL -
WeIch In The Utica Herald.