Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-07-02

In the drawing room of the Spen-
GERS hung the portrait of an exquisite
ly beautiful girl with powdered hair
and panniered skirt. She was the
famous ancestress of little Mrs. Spen-
Ger, and, when Mistress Barbara
Stuart, had saved two continental Of
fcers from being captured by her
presence of mind and ready wit. One
was her brother, the other a cousin,
whom General Washington had sent
to Burlington with message to Gen
eral Wayne.
The temptation being too great to
brook resistance, they stopped to see
Mistress Barbara, and while she was
preparing refreshments company Of
tory foragers came to the house. Mis-
tress Barbara cordially invited the
unwelcome callers within the house,
knowing that it was less risky than
to keep them without. She ushered
the tories into the dining room, then
rushed to the kitchen and gave timely
warning to her brother and cousin,
telling them to remain perfectly quiet
until she came again. Returning to
the dining room with a huge tray
heaped with delicacies, she spread
them before the tories, talking mer-
rily, her quick tongue ever ready with
a witty remark. When they were all
busily engaged eating the tempting
viands she softly closed the door and
shot the bolt in place. Commanding
her kinsmen to mount and ride away,
she followed them with her eyes until
they were lost to view; then she ran
to the nearest house and sent the men
to capture the tories, which they did.
John Spencer was stolid, adaman-
tine man, who was vice president of a
bank, and when he married dainty
Barbara Stuart everyone specialized
as to the wisdom of his choice, for
she was a butterfly creature who
never gave a second glance at the Sc
rious side of life. One day Barbara as
tonished everyone Mby joining the
Sorosis club, much against the will of
John, who believed that a woman's
realm was bounded by the four walls
Of her home.
In the meantime Barbara had de-
veloped into an ardent suffragist, of
which John knew nothing until he
read an article in the paper saying:
"Tomorrow being independence day,
the Sorosis club has arranged an in
teresting program and the mayor will
preside. Mrs. John Spencer has con-
sented to speak on equal suffrage and
the Constitution, and judging by the
able manner in which she handled the
child-labor question at the last meet
ing, there promises to be a discourse
on the suffrage question worthy of
many listeners
This was too much for John. His
wife addressing a motley Fourth of
July crowd and for the cause of equal
suffrage! She was forgetting her dig
nifty, and he must call halt on these
unfeminine actions or no telling where
they would lead to.
Barbara was not at home when he
called up on the phone, so he had to
nurse his ire until evening.
What does this mean?" he de-
manded, handing her the paper.
Exactly what you have read there"
she calmly answered.
IT forbid you to deliver that ad-
dress tomorrow, Barbara, so you had
better phone the mayor that you are
indisposed."
''Tll do nothing of the sort, John.
For long time l have been waiting
for an opportunity to address a mixed
crowd. There are a few things l think
the men ought to know. / want to in
vite you to accompany me tomorrow;
but of course, if you disapprove. you
must forego that pleasure"
Johns face became the hue Of
boiled lobster, and he stormed and
TUNED, walking the floor like Gagged
beast while Barbara perused the paper
totally oblivious of his presence. Fin
ally he went upstairs with a parting
command that she remain at home the
next day.
John was awakened by the explo-
sion of cannon-crackers, for which the
small boy next door spent his weekly
allowance to properly usher in the
glorious Fourth.
He found Barbara at the break
fast table already attired for the
street.
II had to have breakfast earlier
this morning, dear" she smilingly
said, 'for we women resolved to be
on the platform before the crowd as
sembled and to begin the program on
the second Of the time appointed"
do you mean to say that you are
going-knowing that you are doing
SO without my approbation?"
II am thoroughly cognizant of that
fact, nay dear John Do you recall
what day this is? Our forefathers de-
clared independence 1877 years ago,
and Barbara Stuart helped capture the
enemies Of liberty. mean to do all
In my power to help the women rise
n