New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-01
VANITY VANITY

As we have been invited to discuss the affairs OF
Mary and her mother. need offer apology for
what about to say. II seems TO me, under
the circumstances Mary's mother ought not TO
accept such a sacrifice from her daughter. and
that by doing she Is prompted by one feeling,
and that is-he- OWE selfish vanity
Vanity. must confess. is at the root Of most
Of our sins What but vanity prompted Jephtha's
rash vow. Only for the glory Of winning the bat
tie he willing TO sacrifice whoever came forth
TO meet him OF his own household In those days
It was not unusual for the women OF the family
to go forth to meet the conquering hero. but
Jephtha was willing 70 take this chance. l DO not
envy him the glory OF his victory in his lonely
house, made desolate by his vanity. would have
thought better OF the beautiful and only daughter
Of the house Of Jephtha II she had said: Nay
my father; bat let thine own life be the sacrifice
since my life is not thine to give!"
II seems 10 in every household there is this
power Of the strong over the weak. We are apt TO
pity the weak irresoute beings who are imposed
upon by others, but let rather pity those who
rule them. 1t Is awful thing TO be strong to
have that lust Of power that mA6es US put the
yoke Of our own selhshness, ou1 own vanity upon
those who nearest and dearest to US! Next
10 power comes inhuence-that subtle form Of
power against which most OF Us are powerless TO
rebel
know a New-Eugland woman who has all her
life been In bondage TO her mother. The latter is
failing mentally. and the daughter, at nifty Is
able 70 go and come as she likes. saw the daugh-
ter a fair spring morning directing the making
OF her garden which was on g hillside
distance from the house. when happened TO men
ton this. She said Never mind it is going TO be
right here. I had 10 show my freedom in some
way. and never before could have my garden just
where I wanted IT," Dear soul! I hope her hill
SIDE garden has blossomed like the rose---~~---~.
AS for Mary, in renouncing her lover, Is she
altogether without her moehers vanity? There is
certain glamour about self-sacrihce TO some SEN
tmenLal natures. 1t is all very well 70 bear the
yoke OF another's will in ones youth, and is
always such willing slave first. but later on.
when Mary sees her lover married to
else with happy children growing Up about him.
do not envy her her dreams Of what might have
been.
VERY FEW LIVES SUCCESSFUL.
1t seems 70 me, though this I say OF my
authority, that very few lives successful Gin the
development Of character} which have been sacri-
need 10 another's whtm- Where the sacrifice has
been made for principle great blessings have fol-
lowed it. but where one has sold ones birth
right as II were. for mess Of pottage. I number
among my friends a whose wife made him
promise her on her deathbed that he would never
marry again. II she had made him promise that
he would not make himself attractive TO women
would not try win their love ouly to tell them
al last that he could not marry because of his
vow, it would have been more to the PURPOSE
for being OF great attainments and much
culture. with fascinating manners, he has made
/ more than ore Woman's life unhappy.
1 know another instance where a Ia
made a TO his sister that he viii MT marry
unless she does. No has sought her in mar
/ rage, and her brother IS now thirty-hve rha
prospects that he will be a bachelor. The sis
Ter realizing that il is Only natural he should feel
interest IN some woman other than herself.
at different times invited young girls her house
and apparently has done her best to arrange a
love AFFAIR for her brother. As the af-
fair becomes serious she intrigues the ether way
and negotiations are broken off. However, these
transient affairs relieve the monotony of her
brother ne, ana nelng crafty ana se!nsn, she IS
strongest case o. influence have ever known, but
The results are not blessed the sister has grown
aggressive ma determined, while the brother
upon whom she IS dependent for support, has be-
come mere nonentlty, subject 10 his sisters Will
Gf course. marriage is not a necessity, nor is II
+ the greatest misfortune that befali man CT
yCouaan 10 live the single fife Heroic sacrifices
have been made that greater ssrvice might be
given 70 noly cause OF such lives We are not
speaking
leaned much from her own orphaned girIhood