A Woman for Mayor | Page 6

third paper announced:
"It is not to be wondered at that the women of Roma, casting around
them to view the kind of men who occupy high seats in Roma politics,
should say 'we will have none of them' and should desire to enforce a

little petticoat government themselves. Roma has long been proud of its
homes, its wives, its mothers and its housekeepers. Perhaps it would be
for the public good, were we to set a few of these model housewives to
cleaning up City Hall. Let them go ahead and elect a woman-mayor.
Then let her proceed to eject the money-changers from the temple.
Perhaps the women can do it. Certainly we men cannot,--or do not."
Gertrude Van Deusen read these articles during the hour after breakfast
when a woman loves to "drop down" for a little in her library, with her
feet to the fire, as if to gather her forces for the day.
"It is what I must expect, I suppose," she said to the cousin who shared
her home. "Man's favorite method of defeating a candidate from time
immemorial has been to villify him in the newspapers. What can a
mere woman expect?"
"Well, it all adds to the gaiety of politics," returned her cousin. "What
shall you do about it?"
"Nothing. At least, I don't know. I have already sent for Bailey. He will
advise me. He knows all the ins and outs of politics."
"And he's secretary of the Union Club, isn't he?" asked the cousin. "At
least, he was. Although that isn't a political club, still its influence
would be worth a great deal."
"If we can get it," added Gertrude.
Bailey Armstrong was her second cousin and since the Senator's death
had acted as adviser to Miss Van Deusen whenever she could be
imagined to need advice. He was a rising lawyer with considerable
political influence, and, what cheered the two women most this
morning, he was a thorough feminist.
Senator Van Deusen had been dead only three years. He had left a large
fortune to his daughters, one of whom had married and gone to Europe.
The other lived here on the handsome estate that had long been one of
the show-places of the town. Surrounded by every luxury, with no want

left unsupplied, there were many to wonder why Gertrude should
consent to be a candidate for public office. But her wealth had not so
carefully guarded her that the modern unrest of her sex could not
penetrate her soul, and she was strongly possessed of a desire to do
something for the public good.
Educated thoroughly and broadly, in an American college and later at
Girton, her mind had been developed still further through constant
association with her father. Her life with him in Washington had
unfitted her for the fashionable career which she might have had if she
had desired. Several times her hand had been sought in marriage, once
by a diplomat of renown, but so far love had not touched her heart and
she was not a woman to marry for any other cause. She was now thirty
and looking forward instead of backward (as unmarried women of her
age once did) towards a "career."
"I think Bailey will run in on his way down town," she said, rising and
walking to the front window, where her slight form stood silhouetted
against the late-September sunshine that shimmered and filtered
through the plate glass. "There's the postman."
A moment later a letter was handed in to her. She tore it open and read:
"Dear Miss Van Deusen:
I've just heard, privately, that the Municipal League has turned us down.
How's that for their boasted progress and reform? For they will
combine with the Burke crowd. But never mind. Keep a brave heart
and we'll win out yet. Yours to command, Mary Snow."
"You're wanted at the telephone," said the maid at the door, and
Gertrude hurried out to find that it was Mrs. Bateman at the other end
of the wire.
"I'm so wrathy, I don't know what to say," she began. "I have a letter
from John Allingham. Shall I read it to you?"
"Oh, yes," said Gertrude.

"Well,--'Dear Mrs. Bateman:' he begins. 'At a meeting of our directors
last night, we decided,--regretfully, I beg you to believe,--that it would
not be wise nor safe for the Municipal League to accept the woman's
candidate for mayor. We beg that you will change your mind and select,
if you choose (or at least, endorse) a good man for that office. In which
case we shall gladly meet you more than half way in any plan you may
have for his election. Awaiting your reply and hoping most earnestly
for your reconsideration and co-operation with us, I am, Most
respectfully