The San Francisco call., 1910-06-05

don, has deliberately turned
her back on wealth. social dis
tinction and personal success in
order TO espouse the cause of the
poor. Few women in the world, N
these modern. practical times. would
have had the courage to choose poverty
snstead Of riches, and TO face the con-
sequences Of so mOmentOus a decision.
Though little has been heard of her
through the newspapers in America,
Miss Mcmillan is today one Of 1.-THE most
powerful figures In British public life
She has literally fought her way up
against almost overwhelming odds, ac-
complishing reforms-especially in re-
sation 10 child life-which few politi-
clans, even when backed by parties,
have attempted to carry ont.
Miss Mcmillan Will soon. visit Amer
lea TO attend an importantiinternatio
congress at washington. ID. C. AS the
remarkable story OF her life has not
hitherto been told. the writer recently
Interviewed her at her home in Eng
land. 127 George Lane. Lewisham, near
London.
Though Miss Mcmillan was born in
Westchester county, New York, you
would scarcely suspect fher Of being an
American.
Both her parents hailed from the
land OF the thistle. Her father emil
grated to the United States and took
UP his residence IN New York in the
early sixties, where he died shortly
after the civil war. leaving his family
in precarious financial circumstances,
having suffered heavy losses over the
war. The mother returned to her
fathers house in Inverness, Scotland,
where, after q few years. she also died.
It was after her grandfather's death
and that Of her mother that Margaret
Mcmillan found herself practically
alone IN the world. She was only in
her sixteenth year and It was necessary
for her to seek her livelihood. She
soon went to Switzerland, and at 19
engaged in teaching pupils older than
herself. She acquired at an early age
a complete mastery Of French and Ger
man.
Switzerland has always been the
home Of political refugees, and she met
quite a number OF advanced" radical
thinkers Later, while still at an i'm
pressionable age, she came in contact
with one of the most remarkable lead
ers among women of that time-Louise
Michel She even taught in London
at a school conducted by Nine. Michel
So r-fF1ro-v e~.,a~o rrbe r3,eeto, 49,,
eminent had its eye on this school and
sent one OF its most able detectives
TO obtain a situation in order to learn
ell that took place behind its portals
No one at the time suspected that the
humble teacher of French at this es-
tablishment was the famous-or, rather.
infamous-spy. Coulon, through whose
efforts fun reports were sent to Rus
sia. Ultimately the school was broken
E up and closed. mostly as the result Of
this espionage.
Though in close touch with Russian
sufferers and learning the meaning of
poverty by actually mingling with the
dwellers in the abyss OF London mis-
cry, Miss Mcmillan was all the while
earning her daily bread by teaching
in one Of the wealthiest English fami-
lies. Her knowledge OF French, Ger
man and music, and her superior abfi-
ties, brought her services much in de-
mand.
She experienced no difficulty in max
ing friends among the very rich, and
began TO lead. as it were. a sort of
double life. She used TO go down 10
the docks and address the dock labor
ers, attended the Democratic club in
Essex street and even went to the
extent of addressing socialistic meet
ings in Hyde park. Possessed of a mag
netic personality, no one who knew her
failed to become instantly interested.
In fact, it was through her contact
with a very wealthy woman at this
time that one of the most tragic cpl
sodes Of her life was enacted. This
lady became deeply attached to Miss
Mcmillan. She had entered into her
service as secretary; but she had not
been with her employer long before
the two became close friends. Mar
garet Mcmillan did not attempt in the
least to conceal her views on social
questions; but however insistent and
earnest she appeared in the work of
reform. the titled lady, possessed of
immense riches. could not realize that
her protege could really mean half Of
what she advocated. In fact, possess
ing the enormous income Of $500. 600
a year, living in a palace and moving
in the highest circles of English no
bility. this woman could not conceive
Of any one seriously championing the
cause OF the poor and downtrodden.
Like the French princess. she failed to
understand why the people could not
eat cake If unable to find bread. Miss
8IcAIiIlan's wealthy friend regarded her
aspirations as a sort of fad" the nat
ural and eyanescent enthusiasm OF