The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-11-26
HER POINT OF VIEW.

| had intended writing a disserta-
tiOn on beauty and how to retain 1t
at the mature age Of seventy-five, but
my natural equilibrium of mind has
been disturbed by the weight which
every little while seems to be attached
to my remarks in this column. and
l really don't see how | am to give
steady, concentrated thought to such
grave subject while | am thus un-
settled in my thoughts.
1t would seem by this time that peo-
pie in general would learn to take me
less seriously, at least occasionally.
They are determined not to allow me
to exercise a naturally healthy imag-
ination and are disposed to corner me
about once a week and insist upon u
revelation as to the persons meant in
my remarks of the week before. | don t
so much mind this ordeal for | can
always manage to avoid difficulties by
solemn asseverations that the individ-
uals alluded to have moved out of town,
but what really does drive me to my
poor wits end is to have my friends
decide for themselves as to Identities
and endeavOr to make me assent to
| their views. This is always little
| embarrassing as almost everybody has
an entirely distinct idea on the sub
| ject and there is apt to be an inter-
| change of opinions among acquaintan-
! Ces afterward.
The other day something appeared in
| this column about two fair towns
| women who, to me, seemed to have SUI
perlatiVe qualities of mind anu heart.
! not to mention manner. | am at this
| moment almost inclined to assert that,
! like the noted Mrs. Harris. there ain t
| no such persons" The amount of eX-
| Citement these two good ladies have un-
| consciously and innoCently caused me
is out of proportion to my offense. In
| the first place it is a pleasure to state
| that there are others. \ number Of
| letters have been received sugk sting
| names, which | must confess had not
| occurred to me. and which now, when
I come to think more seriously on the
subject. must be also acknowledged as
| belonging to household angels.
| Oddly enough. however letters have
| come from people who have decided
| in their own minds the identity of the
ladies and vigorously disagree with
my views. Here is one missive, OF
course anonymous:
My Dear Saucy Bcss: The little woman
YOU were praising the other day in The
| Tribune is my Wife. So she saws. that is,
: Ie is my wife sure enough but says YOU
| meant her in the paper l Just want "a
| say that you don't know her it that is
| your opinion. You say YOU always feel
| like pattinG yourself on the head when
YOU have been in her company. Well 50
| do |, only in different degree | feel
| il.s h,,t, I
| for having been such an all round idiot
as to believe tEat anybody who smiles
| so much away from homo could keen it
| mp in the family. I'm sorry YOU were So
| taken in but am great sight sorricr that
was. You can ask our Youngest boy if
l am not telling the truth.
| Yours vcr, truly.
a Suffering Husband.
Now this man is labOring under a
violent halluCination. ] haven't the
remotest idea who he is or whether his
wife smiles on him or other people
He must have considerable confidence
in her or he wouldn't so readily ac-
Copt her assurance that she is the
gentle lady portrayed in my outline
of a week ago.
This letter is rather different:
Dear SauCY Bcss: | want to thank you
for the sweet compliment YOU paid my
dear daughter last week. Every one SAYS
YOU must have been thinking of her
when you wrote the description of the
| woman who made everybody feel happy
| to know her. Now | am her mothCr-in-
law anG we have lived together for years
and am prepared to say that YOU didn't
| oVcrcstmatc her value a bit.
Very sincerely.