The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-01-24
SHE IS IN THE SWIM.

humble as the famty fortunes; limited as
her educational advantages; narrow as the
social horizon which bounded her early
years.
But she had ambitions. Yes. even as a
girl Mrs. Tufthunter had had Ambitions"
and even the long years spent in obscurity,
and sometimes drest poverty, after mar
ciage, did not succeed in crushing those am
bitions.
"A place in society. Lord" was her
daily and nightly petition, "'1is all / ask
of Thee; place in society, and horses and
carriages and servants. Grant me these,
entreat. then seal me forever Thine own"
For years in this devout spirit had she re-
tanned a sitting in High Steeple church; for
years sought to gain even frigid nod of
recognition from the wealthy Mrs. A or
b or C, as. with her own little face
wreathed in sycophantish smiles, she kept
pace adown the church aises with their
aristocratic steps; for years saw her petition
all unheeded
But now comes a change for the better,
and this, in conjunction with growing
daughters. instils fresh hopes. What posi-
bilities she saw in their intimacies with
other children! How carefully did she inn
press upon their young minds the desirable
ity of this or that acquaintance; how she
fawned upon the children of the rich whose
mothers were in Society" how she
frowned upon the children of mothers
whose place in the world was as obscure as
her own.
"She is woman Of ambition" observed
Mrs. Smith across the way, keenly alive TO
these facts, "she is looking upward Twill
amuse me to mark her course
This neighbor Mrs. Tufthuuter had from
the first cultivated, for was she not a CON
nection of the wealthy Mrs. N. who was
in turn the daughter of the rich shopkeeper,
Mr.. r? And so Mrs. Tufthurter, in con.
sequence, toaded to Mrs. Smith, and was
quite the happjest woman alive when, in
time, to please her kinsman across the way.
Mrs. Ms carriage stood before her own
humble door. and Mrs. N condescend-
ingly descended to call upon the over
whe,med Mrs. Tufthunter.
All, that call! How her sensitive soul
from that time shrank at the thought Of
the Common" schools How quickly were
her children trasferred to the select one
blessed with the patronage of Mrs. N.
How energetioal'y did she run up the bills
in order to meet the new eNigencies of
things How herocally did she meet the
protests of her overworked husband. How
smoothly did she characterize him as a
brute wanting in proper pride. ob,ivious to
the social advancement of his wife and chill
dren; and lastly, how complacently did she
shelve the bills they were unable to pay, con
tent to let things take their course
A few years thus. and now comes de.
cided bettermen of fortune; a consequent
move to North Genteel street, a long stride
toward the Mecca of her pilgrimage.
More assiduous now is Mrs. Tufthunter
in her devotions at High Steeple church.
Liberal are her subscriptions to this or that
charity-provided they are under the pat
ronage of the exclusive Mrs. " or y
or = solicitous in her offices at church
entertainments, ever ready to lend her
poor services" to the Lord" trife less
wheedling in manner and smiles; less en-
barrassment when approaching the great.
Another turn in the wheel of fortune.
No more blanksfor Mrs. Tufthunter Pros
perity. has come to stay.
Oh, the haughtiness of manner when she
chances now to meet one-time neghbor OF
South Humility street; the condescension
with those of North Genteel street the OBJ
sequiousness with the new found ones OF
North Delectable street.
Creeping up" comments the sighted
Mrs Smith, sarcastically; creeping up, but
tHtIt are iuHes YET 10 CsllilD, Ill. IduN, anu
some you'll never reach"
Rungs yet 10 climb yes, but patience"
says Mrs. Tufthunter, patience" A gift
here, n gift there--through her children
and she has placed under obligation many
whose favor she had failed to win. Invita-
tions for them follow; in time, of course, for
herself. To watering PAGES! Hither and
thither she goes, and 10, she and hers are at
last in the swim.
What matters it that she lacks both grace
of mind and persony That she follows Mrs
A in dress, Mrs. b in opinion, Mrs
c. in manners, What matters it that she
knows Mrs. " looks coldly upon the gal
liant attentions Of her youngest son to that
''Tufthunter girl" as she has been heard
csntemptuously TO say? What matters it
ali when Mrs. T knows her bark to be
| heavily freighted with dollars and success
| fully launched upon the sea of Society"
when she daily reads her name among the
list Of prominent society people here and
there; when she has very nearly succeeded
in forgetting that dreadful time when a
maid-of-all-work was luxury; when Mrs.
Smith was desirable acquaintance because
she CHANGED to be related to Mrs. N,
who rode in her carriages
Bless me! how she smiles now over those
remembrances when she passes Mrs. Smith
by without recognition, likewise Mrs N,
whose wealth has taken wings and flown
| away; likewise Mrs, Jones, who made her
self so useful when sickness came in those
old days of humble living.
When she remembers. How size strives
not to remember, and as for recognizing
those old aequaintances, why, I'm sure il is
| certainly better for them and safer for her
! that they should meet as strangers. ] i'm
ngine Mrs. Jones falling into "reminiscences
| before the naughty Mrs. " or Mrs.
! W horrors! And then there are still
! rungs to climb, steps leading to homes. and
circles whose doors turn not upon golden
| hinges, homes such AS the exclusive Mrs.
! KS and N-'s and rs and so Mrs.
| Tufthunter has still to scheme. still favors
TO buy, still many hear,burnings over real
| or faneied snubs.
! But she's in the swim; has picked up a
! French phrase or two, says canailie, when
/ referring 10 the "lower" classes; dep ores
the lack of savor faire in her husband
assumes taste for art-as exhibted-and
! lotes so on literature, which, It's perhaps
needless to state, she knows only in the