The Washington herald., 1906-11-29
WOMAN'S NERVES.

American nerves are responsible for
most Of the ills to which human flesh is
heir
There is reason in attributing the break
ing down Of men in public life and the
collapse of fnanciers. problem-solvers. and
the working masses to nerves, but there
IS absolute unreason in holding the cells
Of the brain and the cord of the spine
responsible for the folly-results OF over
civilized humanity and the price inva-
riably paid for over-indulgence by pleas
ure seekers.
When a woman IS so resOurceless that
she cannot do without excitement for one
day in the week, she bIames her nerves
Such a woman is usually blase to the
point where simple pleasures do not ap-
peal to her. She is bored by being an on
locker in the domestic kingdom, her corps
Of servants obyiating any necessity Tor
personally looking after the housekeep-
ing machinery. Her children are under
the guidance Of school teachers. Dur
ing this period Of social inactivity, there
is really nothing for a pampered woman
OF the world TO occupy her thoughts with
She is driven back completely and abso-
luteIy upon her nerves"
Three women were lunchiug together at
Chevy Chase the other day. One was
extremely beautiful, and a recognized
social leader IN Washington. The other
was a professional woman Of great talent
whom people pay excessive prices at the
box Office to behold The third was IN
heavy mourning Their conversation was
extremely interesting, inasmuch as the
subject Of nerves was under discussion
The society beauty began It. She re-
lated just how many times a week her
hack bone had q be massaged with Ice,
and she told narrowing tale Of ennui.
beneath the pressure Of which her nerves
had completely given way.
"TH be all right directly the season is
on. and I am kept busy" she explained.
Anybody would 20 to pieces living in
this stupid town in November. There is
not an earthly thing TO do. I felt the
other day that I should actually enjoy
taking a scrubbins brush and sapolio and
securing paint; but all the wood work
now-a-day IS oiled. and II I had found
something 20 scrub, the servants would
have considered me crazy. I'm so tired
OF modern novels that I cannot read one
through I bought the electric carriage TO
keep me occupied, but 1t only goes thirty
miles day 50 that fails me. I've usually
run out OF electric fluid by o'clock. Then
have to take the horses, but I've lost
interest in horses, they're always going
lame. and I don't know why it is there is
50 little 90 occupy a wOman's time. I
wish I hadn't done all my shopping in
Europe in the summer, 50 7 might have
something TO buy now. There are the
children, 20 be sure, but they are so in
love with their governess that their entire
time is given 10 her outside Of school,
so I couldn't have the children if I wanted
them I'm absolutely no good at story
telling. and my nerves are too unstrung
10 stand noise. Oh, dear, what a bore
life is,''
Then up spoke the woman in mourning
You ought TO be ashamed TO complain
of life. Just wait until somebody dies in
your family and you'll appreciate that If
anything is calculated TO bring on an at
tack Of nerves. II is the awful loneliness
TO which people in mourning are con-
demned. I used 10 think I had a lot OF
friends, but since I've stopped going to
the theater and put aside my famboyant
colors. society in general avoids me like
the plague. Evening after evening I sit
home alone, until every nerve in my body
is thrObbing and I want to shrek aloud
just TO make a noise. If it were not for
the telephone 1 should go mad. If there
was ever n time in a woman'S life when
she should be cheered up and not left TO
her own reflections, II is after a bereave-
ment. but that is the time when people,
out OF a mistaken sense Of deliCaCy. hest
tate TO inJrude upon persons solitude.
II is Il perfectly fiendsh form of logic.
Why, / don't even get wedding invita-
ti0ns, TO show that I am remembered.
Yesterday I was made radiantly happy
because a Massachusetts, avenue woman
sent me card 10 her daughters coming
out tea. That woman showed some
humanity, and / am everlastingly grateful
to her Nerves, Ice on your spinal COL
umn, Ennui. My dear girl you haven't be-
gun to sound the depths Of woe to which
a state of nerves can reduce one. I have
seventeen bottles of medicine. three die
tary lists, eight volumes upon How to
sleep" a gymnasium In the third story,
a mental science healer. and an Osteo-
path, all working together to cure me Of
nerves.
The professional wOman-the only work
er in the pa-ty-listened to the nerve con-
fessions Of her two friends. Contrary to
expectation. she did not take up the sub
ject where the last speaker left off Both
nerve victims turned upon her in surprise.
How about you?" was asked.
why, I am absolutely ignorant on the
subject" she remarked, apologeticany.
L know it is awfully the correct thing
to have nerves aad 10 treat them, but the
truth is I have never yet had time for
them. and there would yever be any con-
venient place to have them in, travelling
about the way l do-one week here, an
other week there. always on the go, and
so much studying and rehearsing t. be
done. No doubt when I retire from the
stage with all the money that l desire
made, then l, too, will have the American