The Laclede blade., 1905-12-23

box Of a theatre.
Xxx
Woman has yet to learn the puri-
flying and blessed influence she may
gain and maintain over the intellect
and affections of the human mind.
Though she may not teach from the
portico nor thunder from the forum,
in her secret retirement she may form
and send forth the sages that shall
govern and renovate the world.
Though she may not grid herself for
bloody conflict, nor sound the trumpet
of war, she may array herself in the
panopy of heaven and send the thrill
of benovelence through thousand
youthful hearts. Though she may
not enter the list in legal collision,
nor sharpen her intellect amid the
passions and conflict of men, she may
teach the law of kindness, and hush
up the discord and conflicts of life.
Though she may not be clothed as the
ambassador of heaven nor minister at
the alter of God, as a secret angel of
mercy she may teach His will, and
cause to ascend the humble but most
accepted sacrifice.
Xxx
So great is the mind of a sweet mind
ed woman on those around her that it
is almost boundless. 1t is to her that
we all 60 in seasons of sorrow and
sickness for help and comfort; one
soothing touch of her kindly hand
works wonders upon the feverish child;
a few words dropped from her lips in
the ear of sorrow-stricken sister do
much to raise the load of. grief that is
bowling its victim down to the dust in
anguish. The husband comes home
worn out with the pressure of business
and feeling irritable with the world in
but when he enters the cozy
sitting room, and sees the blaze of fire,
and meets his wife's smiling face, he
succumbs in a moment to the soothing
influences which act as the balm of
Gilead to his wounded spirits that are
wearied by the stern realities of life.
The rough school boy flies into rage
from the taunts of his companions to
find solace in his mothers smile; the
little one full of grief with its large
troubles finds a haven of rest on it's
mothers brest; and so one might go
on with instance after instance Of the
influence that sweet-minded woman
has in the social life with which she
is connected. Beauty is an insignifi-
cant power when compared with hers.
k
There is no sadder sight than wo-
man who, marrying man to save him,
finds that she has failed in what she
has sought and lost her own life in the
struggle. Have we not all seen the
gradual degradation of the woman
who is bound to dissipated man?
She loses hope and faith. Shame and
despair cover her as with garment.
IF she lives with him her conscience
is wrung with the horror of bringing
forth children who shall be like him.
However tender and refined her nature
daily contact with what is coarse and
brutal will debase it. If love for a
maid will not make a man see the
foolishness of sin and abandon it alto
gether, love for a wife will not help
him in the slightest degree. Love is
a powerful stimulant. 1t appeals to
the body, mind and soul of man and
bids him strive for the best. It rouses
his ambition, it urges him to industry,
it wakens in him a passion for the
noble and beautiful in life. IF under
press and with thehelp of such emotion
he does not turn at once with disgust
from whatever evil has been in his
past life, there is no hope, for him.