The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-05-01
The WOman'S Place

Mrs. Millicent Hughes dropped the
Woman's Clubs section OF the Even
ing Telegram" with . little exclama-
ton OF horror.
What is the matter. my dear?-
mildly inquired Mr.. Hughes. looking
at her over the top OF the Stock
Markets section. which he had been
perusing. Somehow, In speaking or
Mr.. Hughes. We feel an unaccountable
inclination TO say Mr.. Mnlicent
Hughes. but are restrained by a real
izaton OF the magnitude OF such an
insult TO his manhood. Perhaps this
inclination is induced by the fact that
Mr. Hughes is small and gentle and
timid. while Mrs. Millicent is OF COM
manding presence and Venus de Milo
proportions.
We'll. / .never!" calculated Mill
cent in reply. IT'S just simply
scandalous. What are women com
ing TO. anyway"
What is 1t, my love-" asked her
lord. in exactly the same tone as
before.
Read that" she snapped, picking
lup the paper and interposing IL be-
tween his eyes and the stock quota
tons. Obediently Mr.. Hughes read
although be had been in the midst OF
most exciting account OF market con-
ditions, dealings in stocks and bonds.
etc. That proved to be a glowing
account OF a woman suffrage meeting
held in their little city Qittle. though
the largest in the state) the night be-
fore.
"Well?" he Intercepted when
through what is there in that TO
upset my little grip
What Is there? Isn't there enough
My land. man. can Il be you are SO
stupid as not to see the Significance
OF such thing? Do you realize that
If that story be true. this horrid move
ment Is growing in Fairhaven by leaps
and bounds? Why. at that rate, II
won't be year until every home in
this town will be broken up. every
child made motherless and every hus-
I band wifeless. Ugh. | shudder when
think OF the desolation and misery
in our homes. and the awful fate or
my sex. when they shall have gained
their way. It's simply terrible. Some
n
Imply again into her chair.
Mr.. Hughes felt a sensation as OF icy
water trickling down his spine. That
very day charming young SUI
fragette had called on him at his
Office 10 urge him 10 give his vote TO
the suffrage amendment. And he had
promised. He. groaned inwardly al
the thought. Without first consulting
? Mllltganf'a nnfpfnnC We
the havoc he would help to wreak on
] his own beloved city. he had thought
lessly given his pledge to the girI.-he
whose word, he prided himself. was
gilt-edged security for his acts Al
ready he felt guilty OF the crimes or
i homewrecking, infanticide, and HON
icide. He heard In Imagination the
wailing OF orphaned children, and the
curses OF lonely husbands vented on
his hapless head. Ut was fiction
with Mr.. Hughes, which he struggled
valiantly TO believe. that a man with
out a wife must suffer fortunes aecond
only 10 those Of damned SOUL.
Vaguely he recalled to mind a debate
he had once heard in school as 10
whether one should keep n promise
which, subsequent to making 81. he
learned bound him to do a wrong. a
wicked thing. He wished he could
remember the decision that had been
arrived at. lie was a painfully moral
man 1--WE mean this literally and want.
ed TO do the right thing lie had
given his word Should he keep II.
at all costs. and suffer the con
Isequences7
His long silence alarmed his wife.
who construed II a. Indicating a
disagreement with her views. James
/ Hughes" she declared solemnIy. Il
/ hope you don't contemplate sharing
, In the destruction OF our sacred in.
situations ! trust you. as a hus band
and father. will never be a party to
the ruination OF the homes OF this
state. II Is 20 be most devoutly wish
4 cd. sir. that you, a Christian gentle
man. will never. never contribute 10
the downfall OF the noble woman hood
~ this community. Answer mo. James.
Pledge me your sacred word Of honor
that you will vote and work for the
defeat Of this Vicious amendment"
Under this onslaught all James,
careful weighing Of the moral pee
of breaking a wicked promise. vanish.
ed into nothingness. with pre-.
cipitate eagerness he FASTENED 20 a..
sure Millicent that ne had never
dreamed Of such a thing or AZ least
Che blushed for the lie) not seriously.
you know. not seriously.
y should hope not" sighed Mrs
Hughes. IN relief Vow. Jame4
listen consider n my solemn duty
10 stop this unladylikc. unchriefian.
unWOmanly agitation Tor votes for
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