The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-06-10

consciously, the usst peopiS hhitat'A
the Blngs.
Judge Croker was, one day, dis.
cussing with friend the social condi-
tons Of Bingville. In regard to picnic
Sundays he made this remark:
George Meredith once wrote to his
son that he would need the help Of
religion to get safely beyond the
stormy passions of youth. II is very
true r
The historian was reminded OF this
saying by the undertow OF the life
currents In Bingyille.
The dances In the Normal school
and I'M the homes OF the well-to-do
were limitations of the great party at
]. Patterson Bing's. The costumes OF
certain of the young ladies were, to
quote a clause from the posters Of the
Messrs. Barnum and Bailey, still cling
ing to the billboard: ''the most daring
and amazing bareback performances
In the history of the circus ring"
Phyllis Bling, the unrivaled metropoli-
tan performer, set the pace. It was
distinctly too rapid for her followers.
IL one may say 1t kindly, she was as
cold and heartless and beautiful In her
act as d piece of bronze or italian
marble. She was not ashamed of her
self. She did 1t SO easily and grace
fully and unconsciously and obliging-
| ly, so to speak, as If her license had
never been questioned. It was not so
| with Vivian Mead and Frances Smith
| and Pauline Baker. They limped and
| struggled In their efforts to keep up.
| To begin with, the art of their
/ modste had been fussy, initiative and
/ timid. II lacked the master touch.
4 Their spirits were also improperly pre-
pared for such publicity. They blushed
and looked apologies and We're visibly
uncomfortable when they entered the
dance hall,
Or this point, Judse Croker deliv.
cred famous opinion. 1t was: Il feel
sorry for those girls, but their mothers
ought to be spanked T.
There is evidence that this sentence
of his was carried out In due time and
In most effectual manner. But the
works Of art which these motEsrs had
put on exhibition at the Normal school
sprang into overwhelming popularity
with the young men and their cards
were quickly filled. In half an hour,
they had ceased to blush. Their eyes
no longer spoke apologies. They were
new woiSen. Their initiation was
complete. They had become, in the
language of Judge Croker, perfect
Phyllistinesp
The dancing tried to be as naughty
as that remarkable Phyllistinian pas
time at the mansion of the Bings and
succeeded well, IL not handsomely.
The modern dances and dress were
now definitely established in Bing.
Vile.
Just before the holidays, the extern
sion of the ample home Of the million
aire was decorated. furnished and
ready to be shown. Mrs. Bing and
Phyllis, who had been having fling
In New York, came home for the holi-
days. John arrived the next day from
the great Padelford school to be with
the family through the winter recess
Mrs. Ring gave a tee to the ladies OF
Bingvile. She wanted them to see
the Improvements and become aware
of her good will. She had thought OF
an evening party, but there were many
men in the village whom she didn't
! care to have in her house. SO 1t be
] came a tea.
, The women talked Of leaking roof:
! and water pipes and useless bathroom!
and outrageous costs. Phyllis sat IL
! the palm room with the village girls
/ II happened that they talked mainl,
. about their fathers. Some had com
!. plalned of paternat strictness,
. Men are terrihlel They make s,
! much trouble" said Frances Smith. 81
J. seems as IL they hated to see anybod,
d have good time"
c Mother and do as we please an,
q say nothing" said Phyllis. Eve neve
e tell father anythlng--men don't m
y derstand"
y Some Of the girls smiled and locke
I into one another's eyes.
There had been curious undercm
9 rent In the party. 1t did not break th
! surface of the stream until Mrs. Bin
i asked Mrs. Pendleton Ames, 'Wher
Is Pauline Baker,"
I A silence fell upon the group aroun
her.
! Mrs. Ames leaned toward Mrs. Bin
: and whispered, Haven't you hear
the newsY"
!. mo. had TO scold Susan CrowlS
!. and Martha Featherstraw as soon MS
1 got here for neglectlng their work m
i they've hadly spoken TO me sine,
4 What is it7r
1. Pauline Baker has run away wit
u strange young man." Mrs. Ans
; whispered.
i. Mrs. Bling threw up both hand