The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-09-20

ing her first days at school her text
books were as distasteful to her as they
were new, but she studied them, never
theless, and soon was at the head of her
class. This habit of study has chung to
her every since"
All through the twenty-four years
Of her married life Mrs. Bryan has
studied, spurred on by her determine
ton to keep pace with her husband. In
her scheme of married life the wife must
be fully as much the intellectual mate of
her husband as his moral and physical
complement. Recently friend ques-
toned her as to why she ever took up
the study of so dry a subject as law.
Mrs. Bryan replied as follows:
II studied law under my husband $
direction because l wanted to know as
nearly as possiblt all that he knew, in
order that our comradeship might be
more perfect. My father used to say
this with a twinkle-that the reason l
studied law and was admitted to the bar
was that I didn't want Mr.. Bryan to
know anything l didn't know! l had no
view of entering the practice of law. My
only object was to better equip myself
as my husbands equal. I stood the ex-
animation for admission to the bar In
Lincoln the same examination to which
men were subjected.
''This has enabled me to be of assis-
lance to Mr.. Bryan in more ways than
one When he was in active practice
here I sometimes helped him on his. cases
by looking UP authorities and preparing
citations for him. Then, since 1t has ever
been my pleasure to act as his amanu-
ensis, a knowledge of the law ha> en-
abled me the better to take dictation
from him even on subjects remote from
the preparation of suits"
With Mrs. Bryan's literary talent. her
experiences and her natural brilliancy,
She could Undoubtedly have made a
name for herself in the world of books
IL she had cared to turn her energies In
that direction Friends have frequently
urged her to do SO, but she has preferred
to sink her identity as much as possible
in that of her husband. Mr.. Bryan, how
ever, Is not at all willing that his wife's
light shall be hidden, and makes point
of bringing her forward on every appro-
pirate occasion.
Devotion to her father and to her nus
band 1 has In no wise lessened Mrs.
Bryan's love for her children and her ca
pacity for devoting herself to them. To
her two daughters and to her SON. VIII
liam, Jr., she has been charming COM
panion and faithful mentor. The young
est daughter, Grace, was delicate child
and her health, during her early years,
needed constant care and watchfulness.
She was for long time unable to attend
school regularly, and Mrs. Bryan took
Ipon herself the duties Of governess, lay
ing solid foundations for an excellent ed
ucation. Thanks to her mothers care,
Grace Bryan's health Is now as good as
that of the average T-year-old girl. Mrs
Bryan Is firm believer in the value of
athletic training for growing children
both girls and boys. Swimming is one OF
her favorite exercises. in spite of the fact
that the facilities for 1t are scarce about
Lincoln, and all three of her children
have been taught to swim.
On the night OF her fathers nomina-
ton at Denver. Grace Bryan, with two
women friends Of the family, her father
and the newspaper correspondents, sat
I'D all night for the first time In her life.
She was pale and weary when the news
Of the nomination finally came, shortly
after 4:30 In the Morning, but her first
thought was of her father and her Sec
ond Of her mother. who. tired out. had
been persuaded to retire at o'clock.
Now, papa" she ordered. with . pref