Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-26
Mo-. nobert EdrIn Pesry.

N a personal sketch OF Mrs.
M~ Peary. wife Of the polar ex-
plorer. Margaret y. Downing
kk1 tells many incidents OF an inter
kd6H2ON estlnE career, and quotes the
GSa&J Joyful sentiments expressed
over the attainment Of the goal OF her hus-
bands ambition.
II come to Washington" Mrs. Pesry said,
with a feeling Of relief after any kind OF
adventure through which I have passed.
Getting back to your old neighbors, to your
old friends, to your own level, as 1t were,
gives a restful sensation. Every one here
knows all about mo-, and l feel free with
that sense Of speculation which a~gitates
every stranger one meets Wnen ones name
Is on the lips of many. I must confess TO
becoming a little weary OF this publicity
and somtimes l ask why 1 belong to this
affair at all. Allowing hat every right
minded person desires fame, or, at least
tolerates It when 1t comes, 1 must plead
that nearly every woman would prefer to
have her home, her husband and her chill
dren more her own property. The role OF
the woman who waits in agonizing sus-
pense has been so often assigned to me
that 1 begin to think that I fill II actually
instead OF by the grace OF those who sketch
my character. 1 often ask what could /
do but wait. 1 went once to the frozen
north, but such an experience as that twice
in one short lifetime was not to DO con-
sidered."
Mrs. Peary Yields a graceful pen, and
her graphic account OF life in the north
has passed into the literature of that
region, and, besides recording a record of
absorbing interest, 1t has a scientific value.
with a thorough training in letters as we'll
as science, Mrs. Peary is in the position
which the wives OF few explorers
have been. Not only can she sympa-
thize with her husbands aspirations, but
she can fully comprehend all his difficult
ties, compute his labors and appreciate the
measure Of success which has come to re-
ward his patient efforts. Though She mod
estly disclaims any expert knowledge OF
polar explorations, Mrs. Peary devoted
much time to a subject which only from
an objective standpoint can have any in
terest for women. She has read practi.
cally the entire literature on the subject
She can narrate all that previous explorers
accomplished in the far north, how far they
went, what new land they discovered, theli
adventures and their mode of life. Natur-
ally she has absorbed all that relates to thu
native customs and to the sparse plan
life, and her conversation is often emily
ened by little touches of the domestic
methods among the Eskimos and the pc
culiarities Of nature.
She is frequently invited to lecture her
self. as she has a fine delivery and easy
conversational way OF bringing interest.
ing facts to the front. She belongs to sew.
eral clubs and has always been gracious
about contributing her part to their enter
tainments. Personally Mrs. Peary is &
pleasant woman, with a frank countenanc'
and a direct, businesslike way OF getting
at the bottom of things. She is immensely
proud OF her husband, but she prefers no
to have him the topic of conversation a
every gathering where she appears. Sh'
is tactful about avoiding this without of
Tending her questioners. She is fond o
her home and takes untold pleasure In tn
family union which she now enjoys. 4
more capable housewife cannot be imag
ined, for she was reared by industrious
practical parents of the old school and o
German descent. She can cook and sew
and do everything about a house whicl
may be necessary to do, and she can do al
this we'll.
She takes a deep interest in her Gull
nary department and few women can shov
more successful results where her variel
a~vocations permit her to perform thes
wonder herself. Mrs. Peary takes a pro
found interest in the education Of her chill
dTen. and, owing to the nomadlc life sh
has been compelled TO lead for some year
past. she has given 1t a personal super
vision. She has also been the teacher o
her little son.