Middletown transcript., 1909-05-08

II I " q
body Of politicians, he observed,
with . suave irony. I allude, Of
course, to the rowdy behavior Of
your militant leaders-the in
decorous and unwomanly ex-
hibitions of feminine hooliganism
to which the public have been
recently treated-the hysterical
and meaningless outbursts of i'm.
potent violence in public places
-ill-bred and vulgar Interrupt
tions of public meetings. These
are some of the active methods
OF the so-called Suffragettes upon
which am now inviting yon to
express an opinion.
Well, it seemed rather fun, she
answered doubtfully; rather ex.
citing-the-the marching about
and padlocking, and-and all that
sort of thing. But it doesn't
sound very pretty as you put it.
I didn't intend it to, he replied.
Besides, that's the way it sounds
to all sensible and sane people,
believe me. And can you serious
ly imagine for one moment that
going about the country strident-
ly shouting Votes for women! is
the kind of conduct likely to per.
suade rational men and women
that these ladies are fit to exercise
the responsibility of the vote
for the matter of that, any sort
of responsibility at all?
Oh, but most of them only do
it for fun, you know, explained
the Suffragette, apologetically.
They do it, declared the States
man. because it affords them a
new source of emotional excite
ment, after the more ordinary and
conventional channels of bridge
playing, theatre.going, novel
writing and so forth, have begun
to pail on their etiolated spirits.
Then they turn to more violent
forms of stimulation.
You don't put it at all nicely,
she protested. I'm sure they're
not all like that!
No all, agreed the Statesman,
possibly. But the earnest minor
ity must invariably suffer for the
faults of the frivolous majority.
Under which of these heads do
you wish me to classify your he
asked, raising his eyebrows
gently.
Under neither, responded the
suffragette, promptly. | think
you're quite horrid to talk like
that.
The Statesman smiled, not dis
pleased.
I gather, then, he rejoined,
that you are disposed to adiure
the sacred principles of this great
cause?
Nothing of the sort, she re-
torted. I still think women
ought to have votes-if they want
them.
Do you want them? he in
quired, with the least infection
Of irony.
I am not quite sure what !
should do with them if I had
them, she admitted, puckering
her forehead prettily.
That, smiled the Statesman,
seems to be a very sufficient an.
sWer to my question. 1t also
seems to me to express the prob
able attitude of most of the dear
ladies who are loudest in their
demands for the franchise. But,
be added, they would probably
be the last to admit it-few Suf-
fragettes possess your delightful
candor.
I am glad you think it delight
full, said the Suffragette.
do, he replied. It's one of
the points in you that 1 admire
most.
Pray, she demanded, in a tone
of carefully modulated irony, |
what may De the others!
The Statesman passed his hand |
thoughtfully across his chin.
Your femininity, he answered.
Oh! What do you mean BY thatP
she asked.
I mean, replied the Statesman,
speaking very deliberately, that |
you would never do as a militant
Sufragette.
And, please, why notH
The Statesman's smile was in.
fnitely indulgent.
Your nature would betray you
to the most superficial observer,
he explained. You're too true a
woman to try and ape a mans
ways. Otherwise The pause con-
veyed much.
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