Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-04-20

circle Of Bingville. Consciously or I'M
consciously. the best people initiated
the Bings
Judge CroOker was. one day. dis
cuSsing with a friend the social condi-
tions OF Bingyille. In regard 20 picnic
Sundays he made this remark:
George Meredith once wrote 10 his
son that he would need the help OF
religion 10 get safely beyond the
stormy passions of youth. IL is very
truer,.
The historian was reminded Of this
saying by the undertow of the life
currents in Bingville.
The dances I'm 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. II was
distinctly too rapid for her followers.
II one may say II kindly, she was as
cold and heartless and beautiful I'm her
act as piece Of bronze or Italian
marble. She WAS not ashamed Of her
self. She did II So easily and grace
fully aud unconsciOusly and Ohliging-
~. so 90 speak. as II her license had
never been questioned. II was not so
with Vivian Mead and Frances Smith
and Pauline Baker. They limped and
struggled IN their efforts 10 keep mn.
To begin with. the art OF their
modiste had been fussy. Initiative and
timid. II lacked the master touch.
Their spirits were also improperly pre-
pared for such publicity. They bluShed
aud looked apologies and were visibly
uncomfortable when they entered the
dance hall.
on this point. Judge Croker deliv-
cred a famous opinion. II was: IL feel
sorry for those girls. hut their mothers
ought 10 be Spanked"
There Is evidence that this sentence
NJ his was carried out in due time and
In a 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 he as naughty
as that remarkable PhylIistinian pas
time at the mansion of the Bings and
succeeded well. II 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 10 be shown. Mrs. Blng and
Phyllis. who had been having a fling
I'm 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 10 the ladies OF
BingvIlle. 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 IL be-
came a tea.
The women talked of leaking roofs
and water pipes and useless bathrooms
and outrageous costs. Phyllis sat in
the palm room with the village girls.
IL happened that they talked mainly
about their fathers. Some had com
planned OF paternal stricmess.
"Men are terriblel They make so
much trouble" said Frances Smith. ut
seems as II they hated TO see anybody
have a good time"
Mother and do as we please and
say nothing" said Phyllis. "we 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 curious undercur-
rent in the party. II did not break the
surface OF the stream until Mrs. Bling
asked Mrs. Pendleton Ames. Where
Is Pauline Baker,"
A silence fell upon the group around
her.
Mrs. Ames leaned toward Mrs. Bing
and whispered. Haven't you heard
the news7"
mo. had 10 scold Susan Crowder
and Martha Featherstraw as soon as /
rot here for neglecting their work and
they've badly spoken 10 me since.
What is itl"
Pauline Baker has run away with
a strange young man." Mrs. Ames
whispered.
Mrs. Blng threw up both hands.
opened her mouth and looked toward
the ceiling.
you don't mean IT." she gasped.