The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-07-24
CHATTER xyIr-Continuca.

Don't shudder any more. The places
go, and the people l meet, only hurt my
heart. A very effective hurt, too; for it
teaches me to appreciate my own good
fortune, ard it makes me feel very re-
gretful to sit here amid so 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 1 watched her, could
not help thinking what a revelation a
sight OF Elmwood would be to her. 1
have been thinking of it ever since. So
many pans have filled my heart,
but thoy are all impossible. / feel so
helpless and-rebellious. Doctor, you
are smiling. l don't think you quite
enter into my feelings. .Can you
mag ne o woman living on the pro-
ceeds of button holes, at cont and a
half apiece? Agnes mother supports
GerseR so. She is satisfied, she told
me, when button holes are plenty.
But now they are not. Hooks and eyes
have taken their place. l told Nanny
the other day that liked hooks and
eyes. Now 1 hate them, because 1
know they have taken bread from at
least one womans mouth. And she is
not alone. l feel that l have been liv-
ing in small corner OF the earth up
to this time, and l am only just
awaking to real actual life. 1t is a sad
revelation for me. l cannot tell you
how many women / saw to-day, and
how many others / 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 Bible
when the starving woman asked for
bread2 We forget our souls when the
body is hungry; at least, l should.
But, If / were one of those women,
wearing out my life for a pittance, l
should not forget that the man for
whom starved lived in palace. and
enjoyed 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 few years; but l am
very much afraid that, if / were in
their place, / should see wan, hungry
face on every dollar.
Isn't that rather severe, Mrs. Leigh"
Margaret did not meet Wilson's eye
as she answered this question.
Perhaps it is. I'm afraid 1 always
express myself too strongly. These
things appeal to me so forcibly, and
when l feel. l feel intensely.
Then take my advice and don't go
among Them" observed Brian, practi-
cally. 1T Is not true philosophy to seek
out the dark side of life. This is not
home, and you cannot be sure into what
sort Of places your wanderings may take
you, or what kind Of characters you may
meet
Margaret was thoughtful 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 could take the hand of the
worst creature on earth and not be low
cred. You know ! have q prejudice
against those people whose excessive
goodness shrinks from contact with
others-not always so much worse, only
moro unfortunate than themselves.
They are the Pharisees, who thank God
they are not as their neighbors are.
Suppose we should initiate them. I like
TO see the picture Of the woman cling
ing to the cross, and confess l find it
inspiring; but at the Same time, can
not help thinking that the woman who
holds out her hand to an unfortunate
sister is more helpful and more noble.
If tho world thinks otherwise L disagree
with it. Don't draw down your lips in
that pathetic way, Brian. This isn't
sermon. / sha'nt say another word.
Margaret settled back in her chair,
with an air OF determination that rather
amused Wilson.
Il am on your side OF the question,
he replied, with smile. $50 is Brian,
II he chooses to admit as much.
Pm incapable of any admission just
now" put in Brian. an wholly lost
in admiration Of Margarets facility for
disposing of all opinions not her own,
and marching on to victory. She has a
way of bringing out her closing remarks,
which says quite decidedly There,
that's final. Dispute if you dare! 1t is
useless to say ooh, Brian' Margaret.
The fact is true. You have most
astonishing tenacity for your own ideas.
You can out-argue the greatest logician
on earth. Out-talk him, should say"
Thanks for the correction. Your
distinction is delicate, but obvious. 1t
would be too much, l am sure, for any
man to give q woman credit for an
ability to argue. / wonder what poor
men will do, when they are forced to
recognize woman's mental equality.
Perhaps even then they will continue to
indulge in witty satire, at her expense.
We forgive them. To lecture us affords
them innocent amusement, and they
really haven't the grace to echo Char
lotte Bronte's prayer: when l have
nothing to say, may the Lord give me
grace to be silent
"You have us quite defenseless, Mrs.
Leigh. Brian has not a word to say,
and / am but little better. How are we
to find consolation for your unfattering
opinion?'
"You would not be true man, Doc
tor. If YOU did not find 1t within your
self. have often thought that you are
the natural follower of Describes.
Theoretically and practically you find
the ego all sufficient.
Worse and worse. laughed Wilson,
And Brian rejoices in my discontinue.
Shall / regret being man?'
"By no means" returned Margaret.
1T is the next best thing to being
woman. You have the easier side OF
life. too. We have the harder. The
lions share Of suffering falls on US, and
we must see our duty under the most
painful circumstances. 4 man may be