The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-10-02
Wednesday, Oct. 2. 1907.
COncernfng Bridges.

Caesars Bridge across the Rhine? NO.
Lodi. No. Bridge OF Sight? No. Boutwell,
Bridget No. Dendy's Bridge? No. These
are Insignificant mllestones In history.
Another bridge has risen upon the social
horizon, and 30 large Is its place In the pub
lie mind thai 1t shuts out all research OF the
past and nonopolizes the present Need 1t
be said that this latter day bridge Ia bridge
whist. The improvement of the mind,
household duties, the proper rearing Of child
rem. these are unreasonable demands upon
our time. Away with them and give place
u bridge.
A little bridge may be all well enough, but
to lave II fast. dinner and supper, In
tersperced with irt quent lunches, 1t grows b
little tiresome. II I. minds one OF the board
ing mistress who HANDED her boarder some
COW peas. He declined. whereupon she said:
l believe sir, you do not like cowpeas. Oh,
yes nam, he replied, 1 Ike peas as well ah
anybody Tor forty OF hity times.
Is there not something else that our lovel,
women could turn their attention TO with
as much pleasure and with as much prot
nj. They are champions in the field OF
Bridge There are no more worlds to
COlQUSI ~ Wl0SoPtCoo " eASh "
that none dare enter the lists against
them. What then is the use 10 keep up the
muster and drill when all enemies are van
pushed?
Whether you know II or not, fair ones.
there are fathers and husbands who would be
glad to see you stack arms, and resume nor
NAL life.
Bridge in moderation is doubtless a pleas
ant pastime, and as such 1t should not bt
condemned. But when 1t takes possession Of
the mind 10 the exclusion not only OF nor
NAL mental improvement, but OF duty a.
well, 1t is intrudlng.
Would it not be we'll for the ladies Of Able
vile to organize themselves into q womant
civic league, and let this organization at least
divide time with Bridge"
There stands in the square az pretty q gran
lite shaft az ever graced any city, and this L.
largely the handiwork of our noble women.
1t 10 understood that II is the purpose OF our
city council TO curb q rectangle above and be-
low the monument, to fill in with soil and
SOW in blue grass. Too much cannot be said
in praise of our council for this and like I'M
provements, but how much more lastly
could this all be done If under the direction
OF ladies.
And then there are, q city hospital, q pub
lie library and numerous other matters,
which If taken in hands by our ladies, would
soon be realities to minister 10 the comfort
and upbuilding Of our people.
Then again, the ladies could take up the
matter OF planting trees. They could aid the
council in seeing that good trees are selected,
say water oaks; they could see that they are
well planted in large well prepared places,
and that they are protected from the small
boy, white or colored.
Nothing adds SO much TO the appearance
Of . city as plenty of trees. They are Natures
ornament.
While we could not nave q more public
spirited Mayor and Council, they would be
glad TO have suggestions as TO the beautliu'.
This protest against excessive card playing
is no Pharisaical or Puritanicsl cant. We
think we have the prettiest and sweetest
women In the world and we think they are
entitled to their pastime In moderation
But isn't life too short to have 1t monopolized
trivially? The butter fly Is beautiful and
when we see him %ccque,tipg with the rose e
think this is the clims X OF aesthetic beauty.
The bee also pays his attentions to the queen
OF flowers with less ostentation but With
some purpose. Now the rose coutains life
for each, bnt the former looks only TO the
present and 10 his selfish ends, while the lat.
ter looks not only 10 his future but 10. the fu-
ture OF bis mates as well. There is q happy
mean between the habits Of these insects hat
should be suggestive to our ladies. They
have all the beauty illustrated in the frs,
instance, would 1t not be well to couple with
1t the industry Of the latter.