The gold leaf., 1907-04-18
bounced his prescription soothing.

and were introduced in a manner most
pleasing to the guests. The girls only
were permitted at the table. With their
medals. labels, blue ribbons. pretty dress
es, blushing faces and generally spirited
appearance, they were the life OF the
party, and esprit du ling" Esprit OF
conversationl around the table One OF
the family is, at stated periods, intro
duced into churches, and is conspicuous
in the ceremonies at the altar
While most people Acknowledged the
influence, for good, at times, OF the fam
lily, there were many occasions on which
they caused ridiculous, disgraeeful and
even tragic acts. One marked charac-
teristic OF the whole family was non-ag-
gressiveness. No member ever sought
an introduction. They Were all passive,
before. but exceedingly active after being
introduced, and their influence for good
or bad, was decided. Few were the same,
mentally and physically. after the intro
duction. One might pass and repass
them without being recognized by them,
or even recognizing them. except by a
peculiar perfume. to which they all were
addicted. All acknowledged that they
paid more tax according to the intrinsic
property valuation than any body else
Like the Jews OF Russia, there was q
prejudice against them and the diposi-
tion grew to drive them away, or to ap-
pease those who clamored against them,
by heavy taxation. Notwithstanding
the arguments used in their favor, such
as being powerfully effective" in bodily
ailments, causing SO much money to be
put in circulation, and not bother
ing any body who did not call upon
than, Tho IL
bone OF contention. a party grew up, in
its platform was the one plank, Drive
out the old man and ali his most distant
connections" Legislators were elected
on that PLATFORM. All this was going
on at the new railroad town.
Mean time, the people of the first men-
toned, quiet village had been going to
that town and had got pretty we'll ac-
quainted with the old man and all his
family. They saw that he caused much
money to be put in circulation, and the
town grew much faster than their own;
tkat the farh ers carried their cotton,
passing by their own, to the new town
So from at first taking one or other of
the old mans family, home with them
and introducing them among their
townsmen, they finally induced some to
remain and start in business there Then
they began to recover some of their lost
trade. Travellers and ''drummers' stay
ed over Sundays, instead of, as hereto
fore. hurrying on to the other town to
see the old man, or some of his family,
for they were popular with travelling men
The citizens of the raiioad town, seeing
that much trade was cut off by the re-
moval OF some of the old mans family
to the village, ceased to make such a
loud outcry against him. There was
truce for quite a while But alas, for
the consistency of human nature! As
soon as the hopes OF the villagers seemed
ripening, there came a frost to nip
its root. They became dissatisfied with
their guests. Some began to complain
that their boys spent too much
time with the old mans family Some
wives made the same complaint. The
feud between those for, and those against,
began again.
There was once an enterpising mer-
chant who put on his sign over the store
door ''mens conscia recti;" IA mind con-
scious of right as a motto. A competi-
tor in business, not knowing the mean
ing but thinkingit was an advertisement
for a new style of goods-not to be out
done-had painted on his sign "men' &
and women's conscia recti'' There is
nothing new under the sun. In like
manner, those favoriDg the old man dis
played on flag the motto ''mens conscia
recti and those opposed, at the sugges-
ton OF a wag, that it would catch the
women took for their motto, "men's g and
women's conscia recti land the fight was
on.
About this time the ladies of the "Be-
nevolent Association" which was COM
posed OF ladies of both towns, were hav-
ing dull time. At the last meeting the
situation was discussed. In the course
OF her remarks, one member said ..'The
sufferers from the Galveston flood are
on their feet again, and NO longer need
our assistance. There may be yet few
scattering earthquake sufferers left, in
San Francisco; bnt there are rumors OF
war with Japan, in which case, San
Francisco would be first place lombard
ed, and should we send the half dozen
shirtwaists and the two pairs OF trOus-
ers we now have on hand, they would be
spoiled by the shells, or captured by the
japanese | have heard recently. that
the climate of Africa is very warm, in
TACT, hot, SO there is no more need oi
sending flannel shirts and shoes there
We might with propriety, however, send
over a few beads to Africa, for / read in
newspaper an article written by an
African explorer, who stated that Prin.
cess was presented to him, clothed in
smiles and q string of beads. Now beads
are quite inexpensive, and would elicit
| the smiles, il she failed to put them or
she would be guilty OF contributory neg
ligence OF dress. Thus our charity would
| carry within itself the germs OF growth
and increase proportioned to its appre
| citation; like the magic waist which
| would grow q skirt at will of the wear
er. Before any comments could be made
| on these most appropriate remarks
there was heard a great shouting on thu
| street, and on looking out, some OF th'
members saw great crowd, which con
sisted mostly. of one very colored citizen
bearing proudly aloft the flag, on which
was the motto ''men's and women's con
scia recti''-the lettering artist, not be
ing Latin scholar, or more probably a
suggestion Of the aforementioned wag
having put the first word in the posses
sive case. BE that as it may, the appear
ance of the flag, diverted attention from
the present subject OF discussion, ant
many were quick to see that, in engag
ing in this contest against the old man
there was true benevolence and also re
lief from dullness at their meetings. So
it was voted unanimously to devote boil
time and talent to the cause
About this time the legislature me-
and representatives were not only giyer
full instructions by conventions, but wer'
filled full os instructions and suggestion
as to form OF bills to be introduced, by
their neighbors, friends, ministers anC
wives, aunts and grandmothers. They
made promises to all, knowing they
| would not be able to fulfill them; but
what could the poor men do? They made
them with the mental reservation, to lay
the blame on other members or on th'
injustice of the speaker.
What these legislators did not do cal
be found in the -th chapter, 1st to las
verses of Mental Chronicles OF Many Dis
| appointed Constituents. What they die
do, the News" papers reported quite &C
curately.
Here my goose her wings must cour