The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-18
SUSANB. ANTHONY The WOMAN
A HOME LOVER, THOUGH MUCH
IN THE PUBLIC EYE.
Incidents OF More Than Half q Century OF
Work for Woman SunraBe-C1ever
RetOrts Made I'm Debates with Men
Her Views on Marriage Problems.


With the death Of Susan B. Anthony
there passed way a picturesque and inter-
esting character. 1t may also be said that
for more than fifty years not a week has
passed that her name has not appeared in
the newspapers. This was not of her W
seeking, but because abe never stopped
working and always had something worth
while to say.
II many things were said about her in
early days which everybody now would
like to have blotted out, they have been
compensated for by the tributes OF respect,
admiration and approval which have been
almost universal for many years past.
During the writing Of her biography she
often said, Don't put in any moro OF the
disa greeable things than are actually neces-
sary to show the progress Of public senti-
ment." That the carioatures Of pen and
pencil cut to the quick, her letters and
journals bear ample evidence. Any less
heroic nature would have given up the
unequal contest. She did not know the
word retreat.
A GOO H-oUsEKEEPER.
Miss Anthony spent 80 large a part OF
her life In public that the world seldom
thought Of her In the retirement Of home,
and yet this was the place she loved best OF
all. Her Rochester home, with its exquisite
neatness and cleanliness, had that atmos-
phere which one always associates with
the Quakers. The pieces Of old mahogany
were part Of her mothers wedding outfit
ninety years & and her guests would sip
tea from her mothers delicate china cups
with the thin silver spoons which were a
part of her grandmother's dowry in the
century before the last.
If the guest were worthy OF the highest
honor she would sleep unde a b~edspread
woven by Miss Anthony's mother for her
marriage chest, and oh, the exquisite touch
with which Miss Anthony snoothed out
every tiny wrinkle! The sheets were k
from a drawer where she had laid them
with sprigs Of lavender, and every detail
was looked after with the careful attention
Of the old time ho~usekeeper.
Miss Anthony never suggested ways for
repairing the damages of society with half
the skill she employed in teaching her
nieces her wonderful method of darning
rents in garments and househol linen.
Women Of the present cannot take those
infnitesimal stitches learned in the days
WD6p tuo 6oWlHS iudcuiho ioN " hh"NO
this one Of the lost arts.
Miss Anthony was q model housekeeper.
thoroughly domestic in her tastes, ex-
tremely particular in matters Of the toilet.
tenderly devoted to her family, absolutely
loyal in her friendships, possessed of all
the l~oveliest Of feminine traits. She was a
complete refutation Of the charge, endlessly
reiterated, that public life destroys the
womanly instincts.
IMPULsIvE GENEROSITY.
Her generosity was of an impulsive
character that sometimes led to domestic
complications. One afternoon the house
was pervaded with the delicious odor OF
baking gingerbread, which the family
looked forward to enjoying with their
tea, but when supper time came no ginger
bread was to be found. skiful question
ing elected the information that a poor
had come In quest Of food. and
when she exclaimed: "Oh, how good that
cake srnells!' Miss Anthony popped it into
her basket.
At another time the ample remains OF
Sundays roast were set aside to furnish
the washday dinner on Monday, but during
the morning three things happened almost
simultaneously: The roast disappeared
from the pantry shelf, a tramp went out
the back gate, and Miss Anthony shut the
kitchen door with a guilty look-which was
understood when the family were obliged
to partake of a meatless dinner.
A leading quality Of Miss Anthony was
common sense, and there never was a more
jealous adherent of the gospel of work.
II abe were utterly exhausted she would
say: I'm sc lazy that I'm not doing any
thing to-day"
When a woman came to her and said,
aI'm praying for you all the time she
answered, well, pray with your hands and
your feet; l like prayers that take the form
of work.
At the close Of one Of her speeches she
said: 'Now, I don't want all you women
to rush up here and ten me- how much you
love me. II you really do love me you'll
90 home and get right to work.
She never would allow one woman to
speak to her against another, but would
always say, "Why can't you give other
people credit for just as good motives as
you have yourself?'
Miss Anthony had not a very keen sense
Of humor. In early days when a friend
referred to her way Of going straight ahead
with her work, never knowing when she
was snubbed and ignoring all humorous
features, she replied:
Il have always gone with such a blind
rush I never had time to see the ridiculous,
and pleased for me and my work and my
happiness that ] didn't
EARLY sAuLT ON NAN.
She has often told of her experience at a
teaohers' convention in 1863, when for the
first time q woman's voice was heard at
such a gathering. They were discussing the
question why teaching did not command the
same respect as other professions, and she
rose and said:
sDo you not see that so long as society
says woman has not brains enough to he a
doctor, lawyer or minister, but has plenty
to be a teacher, every man Of o who
condesoends to teach tacitly admits before
all Israel and the sun that he has no more
brains than q woman"
This almost broke up the meeting.
For ten years she was q thorn In the side
Of these annual gatherings. which were
largely mutual admiration societies among