The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-24
THE LADY CANVASSER.
TFrom Modern societv.1

/ to go to Africa in the guise of nurse.
She had no practical knowledge of nur's-
ing, but that, to one of her tempera-
ment, was an insignificant detail. AS
she aptly remarked, she could learn.
Captain Monroe pointed out to her that
during the course of her instruction
much unnecessary suffering and consld-
cradle loss or life might enSue- She
listened sadly and reluctantly consent
ed to remain at home and wear out her
soul in enforced inaction
She babe farewell to her husband at
Southampton and then went down to
Russetshire, where she devoted her SUI
perfiuous energies to worrying the vii
lage school mistress and the cottager'S
wives When they heard the puff, puff,
bz-bz-bz of Mrs. Monroe's motor car,
their hearts sank within them, for they
knew that they were in for a lengthy
lecture upon lettering their condition.
Their condition, they averred, had salts
fed their forebears. and therefore should
satisfy them. It was, moreover, a con-
ditiOn that no amount of talking about,
official or otherwise, had ever seemed
to improve.
But chance comes to everyone,
sooner or later. and a most unexpected
chance arrived for Mrs Monroe. She
had just returned from a. solitary spin
on her motor car to find Mrs. Frank
Lascelles, her bosom friend for the mo-
ment, comfortably installed in the draw
ing room. Mrs. Lascelles invariably de-
clined to accompany Mrs. Monroe on her
automobile excursions, preferring the
superior comfort and safety Of an easy
chair by the freside.
What special piece of villainy have
you unearthed in the village now2" in
quired Mrs. Lascelles.
Il am in despair cried Mrs. Monroe
"I will never try to do anyone good
again.
TT is a hopeless waste of time. Il be-
lieve,'' agreed Mrs. Lascelles. "Espec-
tally as so few people appreciate ones
efforts in that direction. But what is
VOllr latest f3iS9 ter 2''
THAT dreadful old Timmins, the
blacksmith, has broken the pledge and
has taken to drinking again worse than
ever And that In spite of all the lee
lures have given him and all the prom
ises that he has made to me"
Mrs. Lascelles gazed in amazement at
her friend.
AMY" she exclaimed, you astonish
me- You have been married seven
years. and you still have faith in the
efficacy of lecturing a MANI"
Il shall give up visiting the poor"
announced Amy, decisively.
That's a good thing said Mrs. Las
celles- For the poor" she added, men
tally.
I shall heneeforth lead a selfish and
luxurious life went on Amy. and not
worry myself about anybody"
and by not worrying yourself you
will cease to worry others, returned
Mrs. Lascelles.
"Eh2H said Amy.
Mrs. Lascelles did not repeat her
words. She proceeded hastily: Give
the poor as much money as you like, but
absolutely no advice And really, if you
come to think of it, they have so much
more pra ctical knowledge Of striving
against adverse circumstances than we
can possibly possess No doubt cur IN
reference appears, to them, a trif1e i'm
pertinent.
but if I give up my poor shah have
positively nothing to dol" cried Mrs
Monroe
You can pay calls"
''Callfrg becomes SO monotonous now
that one only finds women at home. she
sighed. And it is so weariscme listen
ing forever to the wonderful exploits
performed by Tom, Dick and Harry at
the 'front.'
you might devote yourself to bring
ing up your children in the way they
should go
Amy made an unmistakable grimace.
L prefer paying others to do that for
me-" she said. TT will be less mortify-
ing when. eventually, / behold them de-
parting from it..
why not dabble in politics?" sug-
gested Mrs. Lascelles.
''I should like it awfully, replied Amy
'sRut when Arthur put up for South
Russetshire he utterly forbade my TAX
ing any prominent part. Very mean of
him, wasn't it?''
wen, he wanted to come out on top,
supposed murmured Mrs. Lascelles,
And he did. too A splendid MAORI
ty," cried Amy unconscious Of the in
What viii he do about his seat
now?"
What do you mean?'
why, there is going to be a dissolu-
ton, and Arthur is in South Africa. Who
is to canvass for him? Who is to stump
the county? Who is to tell the free and
Independent electors that the salvation
of their country depends on their re-
turning Capt Monroe for South Rus
setshire?"
excitement. why, T. I will interview
the electors for him. I will never leave
them till they have promised me their
votes. And if they show the slightest
sign of vaeillation, I will carry them to
the polling station on my motor car"
Bravo laughed Mrs. Lascelles. But
don't you think it would be better not to
interfere too much with Arthur's agent?
daresay he and Capt Monroe have set
tied the plan of campaign by wire long
before this
You will excuse me. am sure, for
observing that I am the best judge of
Arthur's affairs" said Amy, sweetly.
And you will pardon me-" returned
Helen. still more sweetly, IF I mention
that spoke entirely in Arthur's in
terests.'
You are excessively kind" rejoined
Amy; but. believe me, Arthur's in
of Arthur's wife"
The breach between the two ladies
widened perceptibly, and the converse
tinn came to an end.
Mrs. Monroe. in spite of many deter
rent voices. stuck valiantly to her guns
She wasted the valuable time of the
unhappy voters, and talked them into
such a state that they wished her at the
bottom of the river. The sound of her
approaching motor car caused many a
valiant elector to make ranid exit by
the back door. Mrs. Monroe became a
positive terror to the countryside. and
many man was weak enough to prom
Use his vote in order to escape
Amy gave no rest to herself or to the
electors until the fateful dav arrived
Then she thought that she might safely
l0ave affairs IN the hands of the agent
She relied on the promises she hal ex-
tracted forgetting that the best of men
are under strong termination orIxr too