The Forerunner, Volume 1 (1909-1910)

M. Lo

ON,

THE FORERUNNER

rtise

AP

r see the S

I'd like to put in a picture o

aint it, making the small adv

ience, for my mother always used

the shelf over the sink, and was used continually; to wash dis

er and Soapine, and apply where

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P.

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THE FORERUNNER

rtise

AN'

OF INSPIRATION FO

ASS OF

achievements and aims in all the broader fields of

cs, Arts and Crafts, Mu

e Work

contribu

heeler

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allingt

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Margar

Emma

e Hu

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KINS GILMAN'S MAGAZINE CHARL

O PU

serial, article and essay; drama, verse, satire and sermon; dialogue, fable and

impatience; to offer practical suggestions and solutions, to voice the

s of every-day life; the personal and public problems of to-day. I

nce-male, female and human. It will discuss Man, in his true place in

ial. It holds that Socialism, the economic theory, is part of our gradual Soci

eed a special medium; and in the belief that there are enough

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the above heading, will be described articles personally known and used. So far as individual experience and approval carry weight, and clear truthful description command attention, the ad

CONT

st year is a new book on a

n development of a too exclusively masculine civilization. It shows what man, the

unning very crookedly-as it so often does-among the obstructions and difficult

ort articles

lity and Publ

ty Women

worked In

in the

omestic an

d and a Lar

ls in

Three-Fourths

e Chi

en-Min

r-Mind

ry-Min

rtment of "Personal Problems" does not discuss etiquette, fashions or the removal

O VA

magazine one ye

novel . . . B

k . . . By

tories . . . B

hort articles . .

new poems . .

ermons . . . B

and Review" . .

blems" . . .

things . . .

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CEASE TO

itous advertise

ld; whose

ho doesn't have

est Druggis

a medica. You buy a little bottle of tincture of calendula, and keep

n a gritty place-his poor little knee is scraped raw. And

you have it, and put in a few drops of calendula. Wet a soft clean r

infant anguish; also have I used it

TAKES THE PAIN FRO

FORE

HLY MA

E PERKIN

OWNER &

YEAR .1

ARY, 1910 Copyright

forget it!-don't ca

vey

sent-you have

Future-still yours

NTRA

So

al sun-and a

t we whirl-an

we turn-and

awn-glory of

-rest of the

e dawn

nt Power-and a

t we grow-and

k we go-and

-beauty and pr

e-rest of th

e born

BLE RES

ey are too personal. We are always fussing about our l

s badly as we do, we individ

! but if each of us w

would be

parts of a mechanism-or organism-but if they d

ork together by trying t

n

s, collective efforts,

llectivel

ting our soil and our

soning and clogging o

op building com

egin in good earnest to prev

ty by our children and

off the crop of crimin

quite enough resol

OUSEK

She was also a widow, not divorcee, but just plain widow; and she persisted in acting under her real n

t deal of money, Mrs. Le

y enough," s

ct so many-admirers

gh," she answered; wh

ghteen on the stage; and as for admirers-they apparently

e years; and this small boy did not look in the least like a "stage chil

front, to receive in; and a small room with a skylight, to sleep in. The boy's room and the governess' rooms were at the back, with sunny south windo

me I ever had. I have the privacy, the detachment, the carelessness of a boarding-house, and 'all the comforts of a home.' Up I go to my little top flat as private as you like. My Alice takes

a lot of promiscuous boa

here isn't a person in the house now who isn't some sort of a friend of mine. As

room?" Mrs. Leland's frien

replied. "I hate it. I fee

n the name

with air-and not drenched with rain!-and there I am. Johnny is gagged and muffled as it were, and carried downstairs as early as possible. He gets his breakfast, and t

ngaging youth, her vivid uncertain beauty. At times you said of her, "She has a keen intelligent face, but she's

many, or as a lover, of whom she had more. His distinction lay first in his opportunities, as a co-resident, for which he was heartily hated by all t

her a short man, heavily built, with a quiet kind face, and a somewhat quizzical smile. He seemed to make all the money he needed, occupied the two rooms and plentiful

many attractive ways-why not

uck in a pallid, overdressed youth, with openwork

at this point he put his hands just beneath the youth's arms, lifted and set him aside as if he were an

mbrage at the method of his removal; but she was not so oblivious. She

ed room, the glowing fire, the excellent tea and delicate thin bread and butter were most rest

he cried. "Please don't! There are no end of reasons why I will not marry anybody again.

on't have to marry me if you don't want to; but th

at him in

intend going to the devil. I'd like to be your hu

e real ring in it. "And you're not-you're not going to-?" it seemed the baldest as

elf of a most agreeable friendship? Of course not. Your tea is cold, Mrs. Leland-let

anging supply of interesting things; not toys-never, but real things not intended for little boys to play with. No little boy would want to play with dolls for instance; but what little boy would not be fascinated by a small wooden lay figure, capable of unheard-of contortions. Tin soldiers were common, but the flags of all nations-real flags,

ea and watched them until

?" she asked suddenl

d. "I never consulted

ist, I judg

a den

knock on wood!

e Reuben?' he

why you don't smoke

d to ask you. Now I'm not pressing any sort of inquiry as to myself; but as a brother,

pleasantly and with no hint of ulterior purpose. "Why-I don't mind," she began

merely said, "That's one," an

tead! You're not a

k about them," he explained. "Do you mind?" An

" she said slowly. "But

ny personal desire of my own, I am truly 'your sincere friend and well-wisher,' as

vely at the toe of her small flexible sl

zed at the slipper t

xt one?" he sa

nly. "I never knew a man before who could-well leave off

er-don't move." And before she realized what he was doing he picked her up, chair and all, and put her down softly on the other side, setting the footstool as before, and even daring to place her li

ly, taking the place where she ha

t one is

uld think he'd be a reason the other way. Excuse m

criticize at all

ard him sing Mrs. Leland always wished he were taller, handsomer, more distinguished looking; his voice sound

ouldn't," said

s no possible harm that you tell me the rest

e up my profession

a fool to want you to,

-Profe

men are!" She said the word not tragically, but with such hard-pointed intensity that it sounded like a gimlet. "Then I married, you see-I gave up all my new-won freedom to marry!-and he kept me tighter than ever." She shut her expressive mouth in level li

ly endorsed her. "I don't blame y

mes, of course, when one isn't happy. But th

rtunately," mus

unately

, pleasant smile. "I'd have liked the ple

ng alarm. But he was quite quiet-even cheerf

The worst one is this. I like-lovers! I'm very much ashamed of it, but I do! I try not to be unfa

that?" he asked ea

h-Lov

antly. "I take care of my boy, I take care of myself-let

good psychologist,

an?" she asked

t a man to blame you fo

ly asserted. "They are too conscientious

iends," h

n have said very h

rned 'em down.

don

't. I'm di

erent?" s

that grew as she watched till presently she thought it well to consider her slipper again; and continued, "The sixth is as b

ite unmoved. "But why should anyone bla

'm free, I tell you and I stay free!-But look at t

not at home for some days-the landlady said he had gon

both friends and lovers; but she missed the quiet a

Olmstead come back? Mama! When is Mr. Olmstead coming back? Mama! Why don't you write to M

imply, "Don't let Johnny miss the lions and monkeys-he and Miss Merton an

of the place. In a corner of the bedroom was a zinc-lined tray with clay in it, where Johnnie played rapturously

"There! he hasn't told me yet why he doesn'

and before she could stop him he had out a little box with bits of looki

ts in that drawer, and their perfect order. Her husband had been a man who made a chowder

t for a moment-but then she remembered other things and

k, serene as ever, fr

ke?" she suddenly demanded of him on another q

nicer than ever to Johnny; and Mrs. Leland rath

d cordially. "That's easy," and

p your reasons?" she m

e notebook. "Now look here-I've got these all answered-you won't be

bly enough, but defied him to convince

avoid. A girl is comparatively helpless in this matter; you are armed. That your first marriage was unhappy is a reason for trying it again. It is

" she said. "I'm waiting

it

ll you are all t

to marry again. While he is a baby a mother is enough, but the older he grows the more he will nee

us designs, Mr. Olmstead. You know Johnnie loves you de

ad the shadow of a chance-but I'm not at present. Still, I'm quite willing to stand as an instanc

unspeakably different from the dark, fascinating slender man who had become a nightmare to her youth, tha

ed attraction. Indeed-if you do marry again-someone who doesn't want the boy-I wish you'd give

e forgotten her, and sh

asping his hands over one knee and gazing at the dark soft-colored rug, "if you married me, an

ittle start

ts-I don't like a box anyhow. But I haven't missed seeing you in any part you've played yet-some of 'em I've seen a dozen times. And you're growing-you'll do better work still. It is so

difficult to say anything; for he was not looking at h

you ever grew to love me-or if there were children-it would make some difference. Not much. There mightn't be any children, and it isn't likely you'd ever love me enough to have that stand in your way. Otherwise than that you'd have freedom-as much as now. A little more; because if you wanted to make a foreign tour, or anything like that, I'd take care of Johnnie. 'Fifth-Lovers.'" Here he paused leaning forward with

s to what to say about that. I'm afraid I shall s

e?" she mischi

o easy," h

er explain,

her men admire you. I don't sympathize with them, any!-Not for a minute. Of cours

You're very irritating! What would you do?

ep eyes blazing steadily into hers, "In the first place the mor

did?" she

ed with perfect quietness, "you

a throbbin

usekeeping

he burst out, giving herself a little shake as if to waken. "Final and conclusive a

id, as he had said it b

board on a

ing now. Aren't yo

t this is the only boarding-house

as we are-if

arodied gaily. "No, sir! If I ever married again-and I wont-I'd want a home of my own-a whole h

and run it for you as smoothly and perfectly

I would," she

have kept this house-fo

an?" she demand

e meals comfortably there. You didn't much like the first housekeeper. I got one you liked better; cooks to please you, maids to please you. I have most seriously tried to make you comfortable. When you didn't like a boarder I got rid of him-or her-they are mostly all your friends now. Of course if we wer

as stirred, uneasy, dissatisfied. She felt as if somethi

funny business-fo

siness that takes some ability-witness the many fail

as real estate,

state office. I buy and

o take t

here wasn't any strength in any of those objections, my dear," said he. "Especially the first

ddenly turned upon him-as suddenly as one can tur

you smoke?-You

kiss you so well if

ventured after a while, "t

ED I

upon her b

int wea

alks the n

ts, blank w

ring s

er, Duty, Pl

eams r

k daylights

sharp agon

pe be

a thought! She

ld grow

f clear word

, o long i

ked in

LITY AND PUB

at most culpable sinner we no longer see as a white-souled adult baby, living on uncooked food in a newmade garden, but as

ce his interests in this world or the next. The morals of the early Hebrews, for instance, with which we are most familiar, were strictly adjusted

and punished. Our whole race-habit of thought on questions of morality is personal. When goodness is considered it is "my" goodness or "your" goodness-not ours; and sins are supposed to be promptly traceable to sinners; visible, catchable, hangable sinners in the flesh. We have no mental machinery capable of grasping the commone

al sense, punishes stealing. But it is one man stealing from one other man who is a thief. It is the personal attack upon personal property, done all at once, which we can see, feel, and understand. Let a number of men in combinat

fore our eyes, we had as lief hang a dozen as one: but when it comes to tracing complicity and responsibility in the deaths of a few screaming tenants of firetrap tenements, a death unnecessary perhaps, but for the bursting of the fire hose-then we are at fault. The cringing wretch who lit the oilsoaked rags in the cellar

continue to say; when we should say, "Who are to blame?" One heavy dose of poison resulting in one corpse shows us murder. A thousand tiny doses of poison, concealed in parcels of food, resulting in the lowered vitality, increased ill

ng the death of this particular baby to the dirty hands of that particular milker of far-off cows. It wasn't murder-he never saw t

me. This we should call barbarism or savagery, and feel proud of our Christian civilization, where we legislate so profusely and punish so severely-when we can lay hands on indiv

or lack of medical aid-who has killed him? Has he seven murderers-or is each do

uggist who sold-the clerk who put up the prescription-the advertiser of the stuff-the manufacturer of it-or those who live on money invested in the manufacturing company? "The clerk!" we cry, delightedly. "H

human beings in modern life, learning at last that human conduct changes as society develops, that morality is no longer a mere matter

ix responsibility. Can we arrest for murder the poor mother who is caring for her boy sick with typhoid fever; just because she empties slops on a watershed that feeds a little brook, that feeds a river, that feeds a city-and thousands die of that widespread disease? She is not personally guilty of murder. There are others in plenty between her and

d prove to blame for these holocausts, what could we do to these persons as fit punishment for such an injury to society? If we could devise tortures prolonged and painful enough to make such criminals feel as felt their d

t d

age of prevention. This we are beginning to see, beginning to do. After the Iroquois fire we were more stringent in guarding our theatres. After the Slocum disaster the insp

atastrophe. A mother's duty to a child is not mere passionate protection after it has fallen through the ice; the soldier's duty is not confined to wild efforts to rec

y, "Why are we to-day so inefficient and unreliable in our social duty?" For reason good. We are not taught social duty. For further reason that we are taught much that militates against it. Our social instinct is not yet strong enoug

That is our crying need; a truer standard of duty, and the proper development of it. The School City is a step this

centralized body, the whole service of our lives. What every common soldier knows and most of them practice is surely not too difficult for a common business man. Our public duty is most simple and clear-to

tit

bove-Benea

thin-and E

h the resi

d Sure of G

h Nature's

conscious u

for a si

fraid of

rhood at l

to Do and L

now begi

we are Me

ANNESS

y the riv

d servant

is nothi

old as humanity, about t

as to t

in; a place for free competition; full of innumerable persons whose n

alist view, and is d

vary and compete; and an exclusively masculine

ty. Instead of accepting this world of warfare, disease, and crime, of shameful, unnecessary poverty and pain, as natural and right, we now see that all these evils may be removed, and

as to th

s sometimes found quite self-sufficient, often superior, and always equal to the male, our human race set up the "andro-centric theory," holding that man alone is the race type; and that woman was "his female."

the old idea about woman. It sa

s a male he has done his small share in the old physical process of reproduction; but as a H

e has been Female-and nothing

havior; and human history so far is the history of a wholly masculine world, competing and fighting as males mu

behind us, the world around us; but the world be

manity has begun to move and push and lift herself. This Woman's movement is as natural, as beneficial, as irresistible as the coming of spring; but it ha

before the law, for common justice; then, with larger insight, for full equal rights w

t of reason; the opposition of a masculine world; and of an individualism also masculine. The male is physiologically an individualist. It is his plac

man to her share in the work and management of the world. Against it he brings up one constant cry-that woman's progress will injure womanhood. All that he sees in woman is her sex; a

rld made her way as he has to his man-made world! Suggest that without any such extreme reversa

plies the Male

is for slaves and poor people generally. Nobody would work unless they had to. You are females

be considered; that sees the world as a place open to ceaseless change and improvement; that sees the way so to cha

ogether, from that lower relation, to the far higher one of Humanness, that common Humanness which is hers as much as his. Seeing Society as the real life-form; and our individual lives as growing in glor

church-a home, where they visibly do belong. In the great task of cultivating the earth they have an equal inter

feelings necessary to our progress can flow smooth and clear through the world-mind, women have preemin

rsal movement in this direction is one of the most satisfactory proofs of our advance. In every art, craft and professio

sal suffrage that there is for democracy. As far as any special power in government is called for, the mother is the natural ruler,

re coming forward to help make it; women are human with every human power; democracy is the highest for

cases, honest in their belief; but their honesty does no credit to their intelligence. They are obsessed by this dominant idea of sex; due clearly enough to the long period of male dominance-to our androcent

She has to consider them as human creatures, because they monopolize the human functions. She does not consider the motor

w is the individualist view, seeing the wor

a world now wasting its wealth like water-all this waste may be saved. Here is a world of worse than unnecessary war. We will stop this warfare. Here is a world

hildren born daily and hourly into conditions which inevitably produce a certain percentage of criminality; when the in

h a custom of peaceful helpful interservice-such a world has no fear of woman, and no feeling that

ll an Individualist, albeit a believer in votes for women. Even so, merely from th

auty of the Home-its order-

dren to compete for their dinner-does not give most to the strongest and leave the weakest to go to the wall. It is only in her lowest hel

omes forward to give the world the same service she h

-and you will see one unbroken line of social service. Not self-interest-not mercenary profit-no

to half its service. It is our duty as human beings to help make the world better-quickly! It

IS TH

th: As big, as

t first g

spots of di

to outgr

t, sweet, t

ure's

t the world: St

reat lovi

t mother! Str

e years o

smooth, un

fe su

ve, nor kneel ou

not ev

fended! Ou

with one su

thought so

rs to

we. Our bod

r Adam

still with

r mother,

hings! Still

h's ric

l which these f

ng room

ame soul th

, lovely,

waking-the

ere, an

force that gove

iet plan

he joy of ri

larks in Ma

ssly-to ha

l who

nd have we, n

y more

id passion

reation

ured new in

our gl

DIANT

TER

EA

Here comes

he crest-ru

th water in be

old your breath! D

eight and the wash

for the

over a too-sordid presentation of the parental cla

done it!" but the space and time covered are generally as far beyond our pl

scussed, the daring offender might reconsider. Well-aired it certainly was, and widely discussed by the parents of the little town be

st as she opened the subject, by a man on a wheel-some wretched business about the store of course-and sent word that night that he could not come up

t right with him; she knew well what a blow it was. Now it was

for some years, felt it her duty to make a special appeal-or attack rather; and brought with

pitcher of lemonade for them-and having entered there was no escape. They harried her with questions, were increas

Delafield," she said with repressed intensity. "I am of age and live

oin' into-if one may inquire? Nothin you're as

it because she's ashamed of it?" the girl

h talk from a maiden to

try the young have more

d of her child by others; but she agreed to

ticism, inquiry and condemnation, and finally rose

e said with set lips. "I hav

none of their business! Not a shadow! Why should Mother sit there and let them ta

a pleasanter frame of mind. "With all their miserable little conventions and idiocies! A

rom her mother now and then, a growing quiet as their steps receded toward the

held the arms tight. "Now I'll have to take it again I su

re's Dr. Major;" and the girl was

all this I hear about you, young lady?" he demanded, holding her hand and looking h

tory, and as she faced him she cau

if you want to," she s

pent his money-I'm

in. "I'm going to ask you to excuse me, and go and lie down for

own her daughter for over fifteen years would have a restrain

tection, the father's instinct, the man's objection to a girl's adventure. But it was courteous, kind, and rationally put

alled

have to do. That's the way we learn my dear, that's the way we learn! Well-you've been a good child ever since I've known you. A remarka

ll tell them as soon as I'm settled. Then they can

then. And-yes, I guess I can furnish

n and he wrote, with a gr

mosphere. "Thank you!" she said earnestly. "Tha

here just let me know,

y want a retu

first!" s

rom the window, "Don't go! We wan

way, his big hands clasped behind him; his head ben

d him. She would miss Dr. Major. But who was this approachi

d not seen very much of, but they had the sweet Southern manner, were always polite. Ross's mother she

I know just how you feel! You want to help my boy!

Madeline. "Mrs. Delafield dropped in just

deline put in. "And he wouldn't say

ed to bring him-but he said he'd got to g

hough!" said

rom one to the o

d Mrs. Bell hospitably.

ou like some cool

ear supper time. No, we can't think of staying, of course not, no indeed!-But we had t

yes-and her mother's sad ones-all kind

nothing dreadful, Mrs. Warden. Plenty of girls go away

hy go

ere earning your

ing earning

do?" the girls protes

a motherly sm

r wanting to leave Ross,

rying to keep her voice steady. "It is simply that

Mrs. Warden with sweet

statement, "Earn mor

ursued the gentle inquisitor; while the girls tried, "What do you wa

way. She could not make them see in a few moments that her plan was to do far more for her mother than she would otherwise ever be able to.

with trembling lips.

annot e

little. "Cannot explain to me?

-anyone," said Mrs. Bell proudly, "But she does no

gratitude, but the words "made publi

rstand. I'm sure I should always wish my girls to feel so. Madeline-just show Mrs

r fall dressmaking done yet-and whether she found wash ribbon satisfactory. And present

d cried. "How splendid of you, Mother!" she sobbed. "How simply sp

er, "I'd rather not know i

enough, goodness knows-as it is! Its nothing wicked, or ev

ere's no stopping you. And I hate to argue with you-even for your own sake, bec

her!" sobbe

ime. But you are so young yet-and-well, I had hoped

sat up s

And those mortgages! I could wait and teach and save a little even with Father always losin

not surprised that her own plea was so

-what becomes of you, I'd like to know? What I can't stand is to have y

d had offered to get her a rainbow, "I know you mean it all for the best. But, O my deare

ion, and followed it up with heart-breaking sincerity. She caught the girl to her breast and

t uncertain, and they both looked

orgotten t

asked Mr. Bell,

, Father," cried Dianth

-in a few

," said Mrs. Henderson softly

plied her husband. "Moreov

imself in obvious patience: yet somehow this patience seemed to fi

s made of the change: but the tension in the atmosphere was sharply felt by the two women

hen the meal was over, and departed; and Mrs. Bell, after trying in

out under the moon. In that broad tender mellow light she drew a deep

red to herself, "That is I knew the

s, walked restlessly up and down the path outside, the dry pepper berries crush

lf, over and over, but at the botto

tood holding them, looking at her questioningly. Then he held her face between his palms and

rl! You haven't had a chance yet to really tell me about this thing, and I want you to right

cious after this day's trials-and before those further ones she could so well anticipate. She didn't wish to cry

er for-well, for a trip to the moon!" he added. "There isn't any agreement as to what you're goi

was too bad! your having to go off at that exact moment. Then I had to tell mother-bec

arling. I trust

ear. I have two, three, yes four, things to consider:-My

d, with a faint shade

your own," s

ttle Girl," he said. "I'

t if you don't want me to.

t isn't the first one-your own personal problem-a good dea

can't talk straight wh

But I'll be just as clear as I can. There are some years before us before we can be together. In that time I intend to go away and under

" he said. "Don't you propose t

But not yet dear! Let

l abo

otion of helping me-in my business? Helping me to take care of my family? Helping me to-

ly that?" she asked, holding her own head a little

he answered. "I cannot believe that the wom

w where there was a gold mine-knew it-and by going away for

I should,

ose cigar stores-or-some patent amusement specialty-or anything-that you k

but what has that to

, something worth while to do-and not only for us but for everybody-a real piece of progress-an

ld!" he said. "I don't for one moment doubt your noble purposes. But you don't get

er point of view th

ll have an easier one! And I'm having a hard time too-I don't deny it. But you are the greatest joy and comfort I have, dear-you know that. If you go away-it will be harder and slower and lon

w back. "Dear," she said. "If I deliberately do what

here-l can't go after you. I've nothing to pull you out of a scr

you-suffer-would you-would you rather be free?" Her voic

He caught her and held her a

f to me! You cannot leave me. Neither of us is f

-to do what we think

u if you thought it was

him a little way off.

you all about it." Bu

ou-I see that. If you think this thing is your 'duty' you'll do it if it kills us all-and you too! If you have to go-I shall do nothing-ca

omised her the love she had almost feared to lose-and her whole carefully constructed pl

, surely, with tenderest happiness. She was leaning toward him-her hand was seeking his, when she heard through the fragrant silence a sound from her moth

e and ambition into a gray waste of ineffectual submissive labor-not only of her life, but o

ding out his arms to her. "You

esday on the 7.1

TI" AND

upon the

made all

he made the

the wheel

upon the

n undy

t that was

orance

ay he ha

down Hist

nti" on th

akes the Whe

BA

d observed an impressive gateway. The pillars were of stone, high, carven, massive; mig

s of tall elms, flat roofs of beech, and level fans of fir and pine; through woodland, park and meadow, with glimpses of sta

luntarily. Approaching it I was met by courteous servingmen; told that it was open to visitors; and shown from hall to hall, from floor to floor

Duke?-King?-Emperor? Who owns t

d offered to

stable; out to the last and least and meanest little yard; narrow and dark, stone-paved, st

him master. They told me he was

but they stood bowing-a

and rich valley-still forests and bright lakes! You own these noble trees-those overflowing flowers-those glades of browsing deer! You own th

erciliously, with

an!-an idealist! You should consider Facts, my young sir; fi

e did visibly li

ct that he owned

as no lid o

CULTURE; or, TH