Life — May 2, 1912 — page 20: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

912 On Hen-Mindedness O* course, a paper with the above title can only be writ- ten by one who has devoted hours to the earnest study of hens’ minds. Incidentally, it may be re- marked that hens’ minds are rep- resented by much the same quan- tity as snakes in Ireland. But we are considering, not the individual mind of a concrete hen, or even the collective mind of an abstract hen, but the quality of hen-mind- edness, frequently seen in its per- fection among our best feminine humanity. To discuss the subject intelligently we must cast at least a passing glance at the humbler biped from which it derives its name, The hen, the normal domestic hen, has no practical working knowledge of the great movements which aim for the world’s uplift, for our country’s good and for the betterment of mankind. She hasn't an exhaustive understanding of the Higher Inten- sive Culture or of the True Value ef Ethics But she has a beautiful, an inim- itable way of appearing to be intent on the above important matters. She pauses in thoughtful concentra- FOR BUSY WOMEN Vk ws THE THREE GRACES (612. GRACE SMITH, GRACE JONES AND ACE BROW: tion, she wags her pivot-set head in an ecstasy of large appreciation and then makes a vigorous and energetic dash across the road. She races mad- ly, if need be, or indeed, if need be not; but unless cabin’'d by chicken- wire walls, she determinedly crosses the road, Why she elects to cross the road is as unsolvable a problem as that relating to the gentleman with the iron mask. Trivial answers have often been suggested, but they are merely foolish persitlage and have no bearing on the hen’s real motive. In so far as a hen may be said to have a definite purpose, it is to cross the road. Of course, this purpose is innate, and obtained in hendom long before the days of motors. But the advent of the automobile makes no difference in the purpose. Crossing in front of a motor car means merely accelerated celerity of motion, and of this a hen is instinct- ively capable, and it in no way inter- feres with her intrinsic hen-minded- ness, In fact, hen-mindedness is merely a blind, doggedly persistent impulse to cross the road and make as much fuss possible about it. To the hen’s mind all desirable things are across the road; ethics, culture, social prominence and perhaps the suffrage. Small wonder she dashes madly across; and, if baffled, she is forced to turn back, why that’s only an oppor- tunity for ostentatious fluttering and squawking and repeated mad attempts. No understanding has she of the meaning of “lost motion no glimmering suspicion of whai is meant by “ increased efficiency.” Her mind, single to one intent, urges her virtuously and glor- iously to cross the road. That is her goal, her Mecca, and in a proud burst of self- glory she attains it. And then? Ah, then shows the true henni- ness of the hen mind, and, in- cidentally, the raison d’étre of the road—she is now ready to start again on her great crusade of crossing the road—and the road is there to be crossed. c.W. A Prophet Not Without Honor I is informing to read in the Har- vard Alumni Bulletin that early in April the Harvard Roosevelt Club was organized, with a president from Clif- ton, Kansas; a vice-president from Washington, Kansas, and a secre! treasurer from Detroit, Michigan. It looks a bit as though Kansa Michigan had rushed in whe: chusetts and New York declined to tread. But never mind that, there is a Roosevelt Club at Harvard! Salt Siskel “NIGHTIE” IN THE SHADE