News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1921-04-20
COPYRIGHT 70 20
IRVING BAcHELLER

been in itself q matter of slight i'm
portance But Orville Gates, the SD
perintendent OF the mill, and Johr
Seaver, attorney at law and RObert
Brown, the grocer, and Pendletor
Ames, who kept the book and station
cry store and William Ferguson, the
clothier, and Darwin Sill, the butcher
and SnOdgrass, the carpenter, and 9th
ers had joined the picnic caravan lee
by the millionaire These good peo
pie would not have admitted it, but
the truth is j. Patterson Bng held
them all in the hollow of his hand
Nobody outside his own family had
any affection for him. OutWardy, he
was as hard as nails. But he owned
the bank and controlled credits and
was an eXtrdvagant buyer He had
given freely for the Improvement of
the village and the neighhoring city Of
Hazelmead. His family was the court
circle of Bingville. Consciously or I'M
consciously, the hest people initiated
the Bin@s,
Judge Crooker was one day, dis.
cuasing with friend the social conGl-
tons Of Bingvjlle. II 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. 1t is very
true"
The historian was reminded of this
saying by the undertow of the life
currents in Bingville.
The dances in the Normal school
and in the homes of the Well-to-do
were limitations of the great party at
j. 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: 1.-The most daring
and amazing bareback performances
in the history of the circus ring"
Phyllis Bing, the unrivaled metrOpoli-
tan performer, set the pace. 1t was
distinctly too rapid for her followers.
If one may say it kindly, she was as
cold and heartless and beautiful in her
act as a piece Of bronze or Italian
marble. She was not ashamed of her
self. She did if so easily and grace
fully and unconsciously and obliging-
1y, 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 imped and
struggled in their efforts to keep up.
To begin with, the art of their
modiste had been fussy. initiative and
timid. 1t lacked the master touch.
Their spirits were also Improperly pre-
pared for such publicity. They blushed
and looked apologies and were visibly
uncomfortable when they entered the
dance hall.
On this point, Judge Croker deliv-
cred a famous opinion. It was: 81 feel
sorry for those girls, but their mothers
ought to be spanked ~
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 mothers 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 women. Their initiation was
complete. They had become, in the
language of Judge Croker, perfect !
Phyllistines
The dancing tried to be as naughty |
as that remarkable Phyllistinian pas
time at the mansion of the Bings and |
succeeded well, if 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 a 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. Bing gave a tea to the ladies OF
DIZZY me. she MdHltu lllClH " StN
the improvements and become aware
of her good will. She had thought of
an evening party, but there were many
mon in the village whom she didn't
care 70 have in her house. So it be-
cane a tea.
Tile women talked of leaking roofs
ind water pipes and useless bathrooms
I'd outrageous costs. Phyllis sat in
palm room with the village girls.
! happened that they talked mainly
about their fathers. Some had COM
planned of paternal strictness.
Men are terrible! They make so
much trouble" said Frances Smith. ut
seems as if they hated to see anybody
have a good time"
Mother and 1 do as we please and
say nothing" said Phyllis. I'VE never
tell father anything-men don't I'M
derstand."
Some of the girls smiled and looked
into one anOther's eyes.
There had been a curious undercur-
rent in the party. 1t did not break the