The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-27
Copyright. 1904.


the bottom. Then expose the man or wo-
man who has been trying to blacken your
character
For moment could not speak and the
world seemed all in a whirl about me.
Then laughed, scornfully, hatefully
Philip Haven, co. said at last. "And
when | want any more Of your advice I
will send for you" Then I swept from
the room and upstairs. Remembering q
reception at that hour few blocks away
to which had been invited, I threw on
another gown and hurried away. A brisk
walk In the open air is one Of the best
nerve-settlers in the world. And no one
who saw me in Mrs. Fishers drawing
rooms half an hour later would have
dreamed that I was going thru a great
soul crisis.
All these weeks, party feeling ran high
IN the ranks Of the Nota Bene. Some there
were who admired my courage and were
strong for my reelection. Others were
just as forcibly opposed to me and were
using every possible weapon for my de-
feat. And, usual, there was a larger
majority waiting with more Or less in
teres. to see which way the current was
to set before deciding how to vote. Open
electioneering and flood Of circular let
tiers were resorted to- The older, mora
conservative members deplored the state
OF things and worked for greater har-
nony: the younger declared that the club
had degenerated into ward politics and
believed in fighting fire with Its own
weapons. Discussion and electioneering
were in the air whenever two or three
| Nota Bene members were gathered to-
gether. The advertising scrape' Of the
| spring before was used against me, and
the fight became so bitter that some of
the white haired women came to me one
day and begged me to withdraw my name
as candidate for any office
| you have had a year of it; last winter
you had great social success they said.
| BE content with that. You can retire
now with good grace. But If you per-
sist-" said one matron, and stopped
there 81 ~
you will be defeated" said another,
while third took up the argument urg-
ing me to lay. aside private ambition for
peaces saake. 90.
Ladies'" said when they seemed to
have exhausted their arguments, II am
sure can be reelected. You know some
thing of what I have borne from evil
| tongues, tho not all. If I retire now,
shall never reinstate myself. On the con-
trary, II am reelected, that will be my
! vindicat1on. I have been rash and have
made mistakes, but have learned some
thing; and have gone very carefully
over the ground. I think 1 can safely
q
jority. I shall not withdraw"
They left me and the agitation went on
for two weeks more.
It was the night before our annual elec-
ton. had had busy day and got home
to a late dinner. I was tired and out of
sorts. A new candidate had developed
that day, and my prospects suffered In
consequence What If I were to be de-
feated after all? What If, after all these
weeks Of fighting for my chance, I should
be thrust from office on the morrow, and
that by a hopeless minority? Where then
would be my boosted popularity? But,
no; I would not give up now. On the
contrary, I would believe in success and
win it.
My days letters lay unopened on the
table and I put aside my encouragement
and took them up. There were the usual
number about club affairs, several prom
Using votes for the morrow, and one
woman going so far as to say she would
leave the club If it failed to re-elect me.
My spirits arose with all this until I
took up the last in the pile. It was from
Joe, the first sign had had from him in
two months.
! IT am told you are making great
fight for the presidency Of the Nota Bene
again." it read. II am waiting now to
give you just more chance to make it
up with me. Withdraw from this con-
test, give up this insane passion for
clubs, and promise me you will stay with
the children. Perhaps then we can talk
things over and matters may come
straight. But I ask you once again,
Johnnie. withdraw your name and give
up this fight. If you persist and decide
to give your life to clubs, shall arrange
to take the children abroad and sell the
house. Make your choice. Which is it.,
home and it's comforts, or public office
and hotel?" -.., r.. -
"The conceited thing" I said as laid
it down. "He gives me a chance to make
up with him. does he? Surely he takes
a high hand" 80. ..
But, as I thought 1t all over, thru that
long night, there were times when I was
tempted to do what he asked. What,
after all, had my club connections
brought me but heart-burnings and
strife? What would they bring, even If
7 gained my point tomorrow, but petty
! jealousies and small triumphs? Was the
game worth the candle, after all?
/ To Be Concluded Next Saturday.