Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-07-19
BY MARTHA v. MONROE

Margaret Elwood was q new woman
In every sense of that term. She be
lieved IN the ability Of woman to do
anything that n man can do. but ad-
mittcd that since woman had been
kept IN subordinate position from
time immemoriaI She needed time
and opportunity TO develop any par
ticuar faculty. "A MUSCLE" she ar
glled. becomes fabby and weak from
disuse. Exercise 1t and 1t becomes
hard aud strong"
But Miss Elwood believed in the
home ana the family She recognized
that il was woman's mission TO bear
children. but she denied that this was
all Of woman's mission.
Edmond Blair was equally liberal
minded He was fine man and If lie
married would require n fine woman
for his wife What he meant by q
fine woman was not snowy woman.
but one with n head on her shoulders.
one who could think ont a problem In
everyday life and execute IL. He had
no use FOR what is commonly called q
"smart" woman
These two met and We're mutually
pleased with each other. Miss Elwood
admired Mr.. Blair's reasonable way Of
looking upon subjects. He was a
lawyer by profession and used TO es-
tablishing his points before insisting
upon them lie knew the difference
between proved fnct and n dictum.
He was the first man Miss Elwood had
ever met who accorded thoroughly
with her Views of the proper sphere
for woman They became engaged
So far as reason. judgment and fore.
sight 90. never did a couple become
engaged with better prospects for hap
piness Nevertheless. that they might
take proper precaution against max
ing mistake, they agreed to put of
their marriage for one year.
Everybody rs soon as the engage
ment was announced. remarked that
II was an excellent match. Persons
who were noted for caution and fore
thought said that II marriages were
always made up In that way there
would be no divorce There was but
one person who predicted that the
match would be a failure. That was
the lady's father. He had been at the
head of large manufacturing plant
for thirty years and during his incum-
bency had been one man power He
declared that his daughter and her
fiance were each quite capable of lead
ing In any enterprise. He saw nothing
more feasible in two heads 10 a family
than two heads TO his business.
II was not TO be expected that n
man whose judgment had for three
successive decades been warped by
ruling small army of employees
would take an unbiased view Of cir
cumstances arising from union OF
hearts. Mr. Elwood simply gave his
opinion He did not attempt 10 en-
force It When an old friend twitted
him by reminding him that democratic
principles cannot find favor IN des
pot he replied III | am dcspot my
daughter is quite likely TO be one
through herclity"
One day Miss Elwood called nj the
office Of her danCe and. being admitted
to his consulting room. said TO him
Here are the papers In the case Of
the Mercy hospital (of which am
managing directori against the city.
~ thought yon told me II was n case
OF the city against the hospital"
at doesn't make any difference
There's u suit 20 be tried. and wish
you to act for us The city ordered Us
TO put down n sidewalk surrounding
our buildings. which occupy whole
block. NJ cost OF over 5000 The
matter has been in dispute between
the city and the hospital for several
years. and | am perfectly familiar
with all that has TRANSFERRED Conse
quently | am the one 10 present the
points mt Issue and indicate the Pc
sition It is desirable that you should
take The city engineer told me re-
peatedly that
Il beg pardon. Margaret. for inter
rupting you. hnt when our firm takes
case we make the necessary invest
cations and decide upon the course e
pursue ourselves"
She looked NJ him In surprise
(which means | suppose. that al
these years during which have beer
contcndIng with the city government
and the experience ! have acquired
count for nothing -
at is not "A matter Of your expert
ence II Is matter OF law"
"And |. who am responsible for th'
proper handling ~ the ease. am 10 pm
II in your hands with the confidence OF
a child DO you suppose that my as
soclates on the board Will excuse ms
in case you are heaten?'
Mr. Blair looked NJ his fiancee will
n troubled glance To rcfute her ar
gument. 10 set her right In the matter
between them. would require his golnl
back 50 far that great deal Of hi'
valuable time would be taken up be-