The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-18

In this story Mr.. Robert Grant makes
study of an unpleasant type Of woman.
Selma, the central figure of the narrative,
was school teacher in a small Western
village. Certain indications, perhaps un-
consciously given by the author, convey
the impression that its westernness is with
in the boundaries of New York State.
Selma was vaguely ambitious and wished
to widen her sphere and obtain chance to
shine. With this aim in view she married
an enterprising young business man OF
Benham. a small Western city with an
Eastern exposure" He was common
place sort of person who idealized his wife,
regarding her a being OF finer quality
than himself, being misled by her rather
refined beauty. They dwelt together hap
PLY for time until she realized that the
town held social and intellectual circles
which she could not enter with his aid.
She affected a scorn for the exclusiveness
of wealth and aristocracy, declaring II to
be un-American, but was consumed with
an ambition TO enter such circles herself.
Presently she found opportunity to
display her abilities by being made a men,
Der of the 'Benham Woman's Institute, a
literary club. which had been recently es-
tablished. Her introduction to this is thus
described:
Selma came in upon some twenty of her
own sex in a hotel private parlor, hired
weekly for the uses of the institute. Mrs
Earle, the president, large fiorid woman
of fifty with gray hair rising the brow,
fluent of speech endowed with public
manner. a commanding bust and vigor-
Gus, ingratiating smile, welded gavel at
a little table and directed the exercises. A
paper on Shakspeare's heroines was read
and discussed Selections on the piano fol-
lowed. A thin woman In eyeglasses. the
literary editor of the Benham Sentinel, re.
cited 'Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight.
and a visitor from Wisconsin gave an ex-
hibition in melodious whistlng. In the
intervals tea, chocolate with whipped
cream and little cakes were dispensed
Mrs Earle was, as she herself, phraSed
it, live woman. ''She supported herself
by writing for the newspapers articles OF a
morally unitarian character-for instance
a winters series, published every Saturday.
Hints on Health and Culture, or again
Receipts for the Parlor and Kitchen She
also contributed poetry of a pensive cast,
and chatty special correspondence favored
with personal allusion. She was one of the
pioneers III modern society journalism.
which at this time however, was COM
paratively yelled and delicate in it's meth
DDS. Besides, she woman of tire
less energy, with theories on many subjects
and an ardor for organization. She ad-
vocated prohibition, the free suffrage OF
woman, the remuneration of corsets, and
was interested in reforms relating to labor,
the pauper classes and the public schools
In behalf of any of these causes she was
ready from time to time to dash off an
article at short notice or address an audi
ence. But her dearest concern was the
promotion of woman's culture and the en-
largement of her sphere of usefulness
through the club. The idea of the woma 6
club, which was taking root over the coun-
try, had put in the shade for the time be-
ing all her other plans. including the
scheme of a society for making the golden
rod a national flower. AS the founder and
president of the Benham Institute, she felt
that she had found an avocation peculiarly
adapted to her capacities, and she was al
ready actually in correspondence with
clubs of similar character in other cities
in the hope of forming national organiza-
ton for mutual enlightenment and sup
port"
The author here shows a. touch of the
humor that distinguishes his clever essays
but for the most part the book lacks this
saving grace and is of seriousness sug.
costing that the writer has too great an in.
tensity of purpose to permit the hint OF
frivolity. Selma became intimate with Mrs
Earle, imbibed her ideas, and after the
baby came neglected ii in order TO attend
women's meetings The baby died, the
husband, feeling neglected, INDUCED in d
debauch, learning of which Selma lef,
him and secured divorce. After this ne
went rapidly to the dogs, thereby confirm
| ing her idea that her marriage with hin
had been a mistake. Then she married
young New York architect, a man with
| fine, sensitive nature. Him she made un
| happy, but he died carly and took himself
out or her way. She then took a third hus
band. this time lawyer with a politica
| future. This future became the presen
| very rapidly and at last she found hersel
| in fair way to enjoy the social and pub
| lie attention she had always coveted In
| her husbands progress is very cleverl,
drawn political situation. in which boil
husband and wife figure dishonorably.
1t is well written story, any bool
| by Mr. Grant must be, but as before in
| timated IL would have been more effectiv,
had the satire been mingled with gayety
| 1t is intended, evidently, condemnation
| of the NEW woman but in reality the so
| called new woman Is new only as the con
| ditions of modern life offer her opportuni
| ties different from the old. The self-seek
| ing, shallow, ignorant and aggressiv,
woman always existed and made life
| burden to the men with whom she wa
| closely associated In these days she Il
more in evidence than formerly because sh,
| comes before the public in various way,
| only recently possible, but when her ener
| giles were confined to the domestic circle o.
| TO church work her capacity for causin,
| distress to others was probably not les
| than now. AS study of social condition
| the book is worth reading. Charles Serb
ner's Sons. publishers.