The Washington herald., 1908-03-22
CAPITAL SIDELIGHTS
GOSSIP OF PUBLIC MEN BY ONE WHO KNOWS
THEIR VIRTUES AND WEAKNESSES

Why American Mothers Fair Is the
title Of timely srtieie-timely because OF
the recent meeting Of the Mothers Con-
gress-by Mrs. Rogers. wife Of the Pay
master General OF the Navy, published in
the current number OF the Atlantic
Monthly. No essay has been written on
this subject that so completely covers the
question or is more convincing. It should
be helpful and inspiring 10 all those who
have the responsibility OF rearing chill
dren. and the Mothers Congress could
effectively further its object by having
il published as a tract and spread broad
cast over the land. Mrs. Rogers paper
contains not only welI-put advice. fear
less and judiciOus criticism, but is a lit
erary tour de force that will add 20 its
authors fame as a writer and thinker.
for the article In the Atlantic Monthly is
not Mrs. Rogers first journey into litera-
ture
She has written a number OF short
stories which first appeared in Scribner's
Magazine and have since been published
in book form under the title Of Sweet
hearts and Wives" and novel. Peace
and the Vices" which the author dedi-
Gated ITO the memory Of my mother"
All OF Mrs. Rogers stories are tales OF
naval life. the children Of her long ex-
perience in this branch OF the military
service, and are written with a truth and
fidelity. a delicacy and understanding
that would be impossible 10 a writer lack
ing her training Mrs Rogers is as pleas
ant 10 know as her books are 60 read. A
cOsmOpOlite OF rare charm Of manner
and an accomplished hostess. sle is one
OF the most agreeable additions 10 Wash
ington society that it has had in many a
long day.
The most regarded figure in town just
al present is wu Ting-fang. who passes
every pleasant afternoon in indefatigabIy
returning the hundreds OF visits that have
been made on him since his return fo-
the Chinese Minister Is most pupctllious
in regard TO etiquette and there never
has been. nor will there ever be. crit
icism lodged against him on this score
Mr.. Wa is extremely radical. and in hts
beliefs is the reddest Of the reds. One Of
his most cherished opinions IS that bach
elors are cumbrance on The earth; and,
could he have his undisputed way he
/ BenediCts.
/ Indeed. he has now and again assumed
! the role OF Fate and endeavored TO direct
blind Cupids arrows. Shortly before he
\ left this post. Mr.. WI Gined with Senator
/ Warren who IS still unshackled BY the
bonds OF matrimony. and is looked upon
/ as the catch" Of the Senate. and a
spinster. handsome. witty well born. the
/ life and light OF whatever company she
/ graces During the first part OF the din
1 ner the distinguished diplomat was mani
( festly much absorbed and abstracted. but
when the dessert was served he bright
i ened up visibly. and il was clearly evil
dent that he had solved the problem that
had worried him Suddenly he turned %
! Senator Warren. charged him with being
a bachelor raked him over the Goals for
negIecting his duty In not making some
I good woman happy. and eloquenJly SCI
( forth the delights Of married life. The
/ Senator insisted that IL was not his fault
that be was bachelor. and recited tie
old. pathetic tale of never having found
any one who was willing 10 tie up her
I fate with his.
So exclaimed Mr- W.. And why
have YOU never married Miss Blank he
I asked OF the spinster. who SAT At his left
"For the same reason that the Senator
has given" replied Miss Blank. I have
never found any one who would have
me-
"Ah. I see: you are both in the same
boat. Now. here is a solution of th'
problem. Marry each other. and I vii
be best man. We might have the cere
ncny right away" But. for reasons bes
known 10 themselves. Senator WarreI
and the fascinating spinster refused L
allow Mr.. WI TO be the architect Of thei
future.
"I was very much amused" said on
OF the foreigners in town when discuss
ing the Mothers Congress. 10 note tina
/ some oId-maid delegate had proposed set
ting apart one day in the year for moth
ers: "a day on which mothers should D.
FIRST is the way. I think. she put ne
proposal Now. why one day in the yea
for mothers? Do the old maids intend Il
monopolize all the others? How drol
such a proposition sounds 70 European
ears you have 10 idea, for in our un
progressive world. from the day a VIII
gives birth 10 her first child until tn,
day when her children and her children
children follow her TO the grave. she j
always frst the worshiped sutOcrat O
the family. whether she be a peasant il
sabots. soiled with labor. or the creates
grand duchess in the land. she holds un
disputed dominion in the family circle
Il have seen gray-headed men, me-
who were themselves grandfathers. bCy
10 the will OF decrepit old woman be
cause she was a mother; and 7 have j
mind a case now where man, far ac
vanced in the sixties. and with a reputa
ton as an artist that had encircled th
world and had brought him great for
; tune-but why not tell his nance It wa
Bougereau himSelf-whO would not MARI
, the woman he loved, and had loved 70
years. because his mother objected.
was not wise. surely most unwise-
great injustice TO HIS fiancee-but tn
, feeling Of respect. reverence duty. mad
! II impossible for him 10 disobey mi
? mother
Fortunately. this is an exceptions
case The European mother Is general
wise woman. open to reason and con
viction; but she expects and exacts i'm
I plieit obedience. To her grandckilGre
? she is more lenient than 10 her own chill
dren: she is. in fact. benefcent fairy L
them. for she recognizes that their mOJEe
. is chiefly responsible for their trainins
, But no step is ever taken. as regards IN
children or the well being OF the family
! that grandmamma is not consulted MN
am in my sixties; and vet before | cam
! over 90 accept my present post ! spc1
) two days and two nights TO pass oal
: one-haif hour with my mother, that
might receive her counsel and her bless
: ing. say adieu. and kiss her hand St
; aHaTr one day Tor mothers. in@esd. VII
/ rot make here. as well as with Us, ever
day mothers day.
Mr. Wu is loyal son Of China, an
2 accepts without question both its law
d and traditions: but this same loyalty di
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