The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1898-04-30
WOMAN AND WAR.
New Orleans Picayune.
"Oh, let them fight"

without vim, but her listeners STARCH
at her as though she had forgotten
the usages of civilization and
shouted. They had come to her,
these old men and middle-aged
women, expecting sympathy; she
was so remarkably cool-headed for
a woman of her age, and so emf
nently sensible, they were sure OF
her support. and now her first words
after tea was served had declared
her IN the ranks of the enemy.
GOT course" she continued 1azily,
>you all understand your own at
fairs, but can not see where the
sense of opposing the young fellows
comes in. To begin With, it will
not do particle Of good. They
arc going to fight whether you agree
to it or not. Raise racket if you
will, but you only send them from
you with a sorry sort of feeling that
their father and mother failed them
when they stood most in need of an
unsel6sh sympathy. Besides, 1t IS
q IlSk, dttChIpl W aSNS''S
people. They will be very apt to
suspect that you wish to keep them
with you to save yourself anxleties
and heart pangs. Young blood
must have its fling. If they want
to fight, why, let them. Net for
the sake of whipping SPain-l
don't suppose She Graves it parti-
cu1arly-nor for saving the coun-
try, a hopeless undertaking. This
country has been going to the dogs
regularly every four years since it
became nation. But simply for
the sake of letting them know how
high young blood can leap, and what
pitiable thing the every day ambi-
tons of men are.
'sAn old gentlemen told me the
other day that he considered his
son was acting in very unf1''al
manner. I said in reply: ''My
dear sir, thirty-odd years ago an
other war was sweeping over this
land, and think I have heard how
certain young man about Harold's
age threw up a fine position and
brilliant prospects and rushed OFT
to battle, leaving good many ach-
ing hearts at home. I never heard
that he took the question of filial
or unfilial devotion into Considera-
,ion.' 'Ah: yes he said, *but
was a hair Drained youngster then,
who did not pause to consider any
thing. 1 would give Harold the
benefit Of my experience. Thirty
years change our views
"eYes,' I thought, now war
means staying at home and suffer-
ing an agony Of anxiety, where be-
fore it meant smelling smoke and
doing daring Deeds
"Harold las enlisted, you Know
interrupted woman listener, think
ing to test the working value of the
theory being promulgated.
"He has?" The speakers left
hand hanging down behind the back
of she sofa, clenched as she spoke
until the nails cut into her palm,
but her voice remained tranquil.
"And what l said to this old man
I think can say to every gentle
man present. You, 1 believe, sir,
lost your hand while covering the
retreat from Corinth?"
eyes, it was this way" re-
sponded the old fellow eagerly, his
eyes Frightening at the recollection.
"Never mind" interrupted the
woman with the affectionate impa-
thence old men are willing to toler-
ate from handsome young woman
whom they know heartily admlres
all their good points and resolutely
denies the existence Of their bad
ones. "Don't begin war stories now.
Tell me, instead, if you would
give the memory Of that days fight
tor th. memory of any other tran