The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-17


In this story Mr. Robert Grant makes
study of an unpleasant type of woman
Selma, the central hgure OF the narrative,
was a school teacher i'm a small Western
village. Certain indications, perhaps un-
consciously given by the author, convey
the impression that its westernness is with
I'm the boundaries of New York State.
Selma was vaguely ambitious and wished
TO widen her sphere and obtain a chance 10
shine With this aim I'm view she married
an enterprising young business man OF
Benham. a small Western city with an
Eastern exposure" He was a common
place sort of person who idealized his wife,
regarding her as 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
She affected 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 an opportunity To
display her abilities by being made a mem
Der of the "Benham Womans 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 Tor the uses OF the INSTITUTE. MIS-
Earle, the president, large fiorid woman
of fifty, with gray hair rising the brow,
fluent of speech, endowed with public
manner, commanding bust and vigor-
Gus, ingratiating smile, welded gavel at
a little table and directed the exercises. A
paper on Shakspeares 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-
hibtion in melodious whistling. In the
intervals tea, chocolate with whipped
cream and little cakes We're dispensed"
Mrs. Earle was, she herself, phrased
IL, live woman. "She supported herself
by writing for the newspapers articles OF a
morally utilitarian character-for instance
q winters series published every Saturday,
Hints on Health and Culture or again
Receipts for the Parlor and Kitchen She
also contributed poetry of pensive cast,
and chatty special correspondence favored
with personal allusion. She was one of the
pioneers iE modern society journalism,
which at this time, however, was COM
paratively yelled and delicate in its meth
DDS. Besides, she was woman OF tire
less energy, with theories on many subjects
and an ardor for organization. She adj
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
cnce. But her dearest concern was the
promotion of womans culture and the en-
largement or her sphere of usefulness
through the club The idea of the woman's
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 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
cOrrpgnOndpncP
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 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-
gesting 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 it in order to attend
women's meetings. The baby died, the
husband, feeling neglected, INDUCED in a
debauch, learning of which Selma left
him and secured a divorce. After this he
went rapidly to the dogs. thereby confirm
ing her idea that her marriage with him
had been a mistake. Then she married a
young New York architect, man with a
fine, sensitive nature Him she made un-
happy, but he died early and took himself
out of her way. She then took third hus-
band, this time lawyer with a political
very rapidly and at last she found herself
in fair way to enjoy the social and pub
lie attention she had always coveted. In
her husbands progress is very cleverly
drawn political situation, in which both
husband and wife figure dishonorably.
1t Is a well written story, any book
by Mr. Grant must be, but as before in
timated 1T would have been more effective
had the satire been mingled with gayety.
1t is intended. evidently, a condemnation
of the new woman" but In reality the So
called new woman is new only the con-
6itions of modern life offer her opportun-
ties different from the old. The self-seek.
ing shallow ignorant and aggressive
woman always existed and made life n
burden TO the men with whom she was
closely associated. In these days she is
more in evidence than formerly because she
comes before the public in various ways
only recently possible but when her ener-
giles were confined to the domestic circle or
TO Church work her capacity for causing
distress to Others probably not less
than now. AS a study of social conditions
the book is worth reading. Charles Scrib-
ner's Sons, publishers