New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-30
THE CONVERSION OF LYSISTRATE
By HUGO WHITMAN

From all sides the gallant officer was as
sailed. Even the pugnacious fox terrier as
sumed hostile attitude. For moment the
colonel almost wished himself back on the
Isonzo. Yet he soon recovered his balance and
self-possession.
Had he intended to reflect on any Of the
ladies present? Certainly not. AS wives and
mothers they were all Irreproachable; and If
his critical remarks had any personal bearing,
they could apply, singly and solely, to the alb
sent daughter-in-law Of the esteemed host, Ger
hard Won Muhlhaus who, although he under
stood all about manufacturing ammunition, un-
derstood nothing about matchmaking; other
wise he would never have allowed his son Fer
dinand to marry a girl who knew her duty
as a wife, but, with full knowledge, disdained
it; who allowed herself to be called Frau Ruth
Won Muhlhaus, but did not deserve at all that
title.
The ladies tried to defend her. But the
colonel became still more emphatic. He thought
of his young friend Ferdinand, who for months
ldu IAN III INC anu i4S'Si al
and peril had been sustained by the thought
of friendly home life of hearthstone irradl-
ated by the gracious influences of domestic
happiness. Calculated aversion TO children
and motherhood, deliberate avoidance of mar
riage obligations-no; for such things he could
find no word of excuse.
"She has been married for two years" he
clustered, land of offspring there is not the
faintest idea"
How could a Lysstrate have children?"
asked the Hofrat, with shrug of the shout
ders.
Now the attack turned on him, the peaceful
representative of the learned professions. How
and why Lysistrate? Some of the ladies,
who had long ago danced and gossiped away
their little knowledge of literary history.
thought that the name suggested something
disreputable The old gentleman was obliged
to explain.
Ladies'" he said, "Lysistrate was very
prominent and elegant Athenian woman, young
and beautiful AS often as at her morning
toilet she prayed to the goddess Aphrodite for
charm and beauty, her devotion was fully re-
warded. She adorned with her name a famous
comedy of Aristophanes, and for that reason
we are more or less acquainted with her acts
of commission and omisson-of omission, GER
tainly.
"She gave notice to her husband one evening
that she had renounced all marital intercourse
and had persuaded all her friends to do the
same. At a given signal, at the same hour
all over the land, the harsh, sharp sound of
bolt driven home came: 'Knack.' And, amazed
and thunderstruck, the whole manhood Of the
country stood before tightly closed doors.
"The purpose Of the conspiracy was on the
whole laudabe. The women wanted in this
manner to compel peace. The Peloponnesian
war had already lasted twenty years. All the
men were subject to military duty and scarce
" did they come home on furlough before they
were compelled TO grasp their shields and
spears again.
'Tvsistrate also won over the women Of the
enemy countries. All, whether in Athens,
Sparta or Boeotia, swore to follow her com
mand. War or peace lay in the hands OF the
men. All right. If they wanted to 90 on
fighting they would have to forswear love.
"The remedy, one must admit, is under all
circumstances Objectionable, since it consti-
tutes an invasion Of the rights OF nature ana
defiance of her will. But, Of course, 1t Is the
strongest weapon in the arsenal Of feminine
charm. Any woman who uses it for any pur-
nose whatever is called in the true sense OF the
word Lysistrate"
and poor Ferdinand" broke IN the coionei,
must in consequence assume the thanKiess ana
ridiculous role Of Lysistratos, because 1t mas
pleased the beautiful Frau Ruth TO remain
FraHlein Ruth"
The door opened, and in came the subject OF
this lively conversation-the young Frau Won
Muhhaus She lived in the upper floor OF the