Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-02-25

jus. listened TO-" she began, with its
suggestive ideas, one scarcely knows
where to begin to differ with the last
speaker. But it seems to me that as
body we must go more into probabilities
and less into ghttering generalities. What
we want at this stage of the club move
ment is for the American woman to have
more courage, TO live according to her
means and up to her own convictions; to
be honest with herself, and to do only
those things which are really worth while.
This is an age when there are so many
beautiful ideals, so many lovely things
to do and to see. that we must make
sure we know which are the right ones.
This is not the time for the American
club woman to be untrue to herself or to
the demands upon her. If she has only
her own life to consider, apart from all
other outside interests if she is no
longer to play the role of the wife and
mother; if she has evolved some way to
run this world that is general improve
ment upon the plan of the Creator who
destined her primarily for the position of
mother of races of men; why, then, the
last paper opens to us some very impor-
tant and pertinent suggestions. But so
lives dependent upon us for happiness,
for courage, for comfort, for help. why.
it seems to me that this is the time to
give ourselves pause; to ask seriously
if this can be the highest ideal for club
women that can be evolved"
She said much more in the same
strain, and she, too. was heartily cheered;
for audiences. no matter what their sex.
can be depended to cheer at all we'll
rounded sentences. But /, needless crea-
ture that / had been, felt my house of
cards tumbling around me. | had not
then learned how to argue and to take
argument in return, which last is as great
an accomplishment as women may hope
to learn
When the session was over | was ac-
costed by half the women in the hall
Some disagreed with me and wanted to
argue the matter out with me privately
"a thing l had no idea of doing; but the
majority complimented me, and / began
to feel myself on a pedestal. / was
asked to dinner in the finest home in the
city, and luncheon engagements were
made, before / went back to the hotel.
for every remaining day of the Biennial
| walked on air all the rest of the day,
and drank deep of the wine of POPULAR
ity. / dined out, SO that | did not see
the evening paper until after the evening
session Minnie Morrison put it IN my
hands when ! entered the hotel
There" she whispered see what it
means to have friend at court-one
who knows the ropes. What will Chi
cago think of thaty" She passed on, and
| took the paper to my room where |
could gloat over it i'll private.
"A Brilliant Paper 10y Brainy Won,
on was the headline across two col
umns. Then followed a fuisome resume
of the paper, with a fattering account of
"the brilliant wife of one of Chicago's
leading tinanciers," which closed with the
prediction that Mrs Henning would
eventually be recognized all over the
country as the great exponent of the adj
yanced-woman movement
| sat down by the open window, which
looked upon Il beautiful park. and al
lowed my thoughts TO wander to a pos
sible future when this prediction should
be fulfilled. Why not? Was j not de-
veloping with rapidity that astonished
even myself? Imagination placed me iii
the chair of the president of the great
a
my ambition grow and confidence broad
en-. Surely, | could preside as well as
the woman who had guided affairs that
day. As to formal addresses, there were
always Minnie Morrisons to be hired;
and impromptu speeches, ] knew well,
were often carried typewriter in the
pocket. | had money, brains and tact
Why not position?
The moon shone softly on the park,
and the south wind was scent-laden as it
stole through my easement. A little bird
twittered sleepily from it's nest near by,
and an unwonted calm stole slowly over
my senses, bringing a gradual reaction to
my soul.
But after ALL to what did it all
amount? What good could possibly
come of the hurry and hustle and empty
show? Was this great convention, with
its thousands of women all more or less
absorbed in causes the best that Amer
lean femininity could produce? Was this
the way 10 bring real advancement of
Nomankind?
In that moment | recalled the old
days when Joe and the babies were my
only interests in life, and felt sudden
longing to go back to them. Were they
not worth the whole club movement to
me? Was not my husbands love. and the
clinging affection of my two children my
one real chance for true happiness7
What right had to be away from them2
What right had | to cause my husband
single moment of unhappiness after all
his goodness to me? | remembered, in a
flash, his unfailng kindness and gener-
osity; his pride in me, his sunny dispo-
sition; and my heart went out TO him.
IN go straight back | muttered, ris-
ing, an pack my trunk and take the
midnight train east. And I'll confess
how wrong I've been and make it all up
with joe"
Turning on the electric lights, | set
myself eagerly to picking up my effects.
So absorbed was / in what | was doing
that | did not hear the light tap at my
door until it was twice repeated. IL was
Mrs. Parsons maid.
Mrs. Parsons would like you to come
to her room directly" was the message.
"She has news of importance"