A VISIT FROM BARKER AND BROOKES.
About ten o'clock the next morning after the party, Mr. Herne was in the
front yard, superintending some work, when he saw a buggy coming towards
his house and he recognized the occupants as being Mr. Herbert Barker
and Mr. Stanley Brookes, of Roseland. When the team stopped in front of
the house. Mr. Herne was there to receive the two gentlemen.
After shaking hands and exchanging a few pleasant words, Mr. Barker
asked: "Are Penloe and Stella here?"
Mr. Herne said: "Yes, they are, come in, gentlemen," and gave them seats
in the parlor, saying, "You had better stay to dinner, and I will have a
man take care of your team," an invitation which they gladly accepted.
Mr. Herne entered the sitting-room to tell Penloe and Stella that Barker
and Brookes were in the parlor waiting to see them. Since those two
gentlemen had become Stella's co-workers for sex reform consequently
they had seen much of each other, and had come to a mutual understanding
that they would lay aside all formalities and act as brother and sister;
therefore, instead of addressing each other as Mr. or Mrs., they called
each other by their given names.
When Penloe and Stella entered the parlor, the two gentlemen rose from
their seats and came forward to tender their congratulations to the
newly married couple. After a lively social chat, Stanley Brookes made
known the object of their morning call in the following words. Looking
at Stella, he said: "Since you were with us last in Roseland, we have
been receiving information through various channels concerning certain
persons, in a number of towns and cities, who may be considered
advanced enough to profit by our literature. In most cases the persons
receiving it have written for more, to circulate among their friends.
Since sending a second lot, we have been in receipt of a number of
letters, like the following, and here Brookes took one from a large
package of letters, and read it to Penloe and Stella. It was as follows:
"LOS ANGELES, Cal.
"_Stanley Brookes, Esq.,_
"_Roseland, Cal.:_
"DEAR SIR: The literature which you kindly sent me I
placed where I knew it would do the most good. It gives
me pleasure to inform you that the California idea is
gaining ground here, and interest is growing faster
than I anticipated. I was not aware there were so many
ready for the sex reform thought; but in talking with
some of the more advanced, they said that they had done
a little thinking along this line for some time, but
their ideas were only half formed, and this reading
matter was just what they needed to let the light into
their minds. They are all now anxious to have a
meeting, and want to know if you could get Penloe and
Stella to come here and speak. They think the largest
hall in this city would not hold the crowd that would
want to hear and see those two
much-talked-of-and-written-about persons. I will see
that all their expenses are paid, if you will see to
getting them here. I know if they come it will give the
movement a big lift. Write as soon as you know if they
are coming.
"Yours for Reform,
"HAROLD CHAMBERS."
At the conclusion of reading the letter Brookes said: "It seems that
some of our literature got into the State of Colorado. The papers in
that State called it the 'California Idea,' and as the 'C.I.' began to
grow they called it the 'California Movement.' Some of the papers in
this State have used the same expression, and the people in California
seem to be pleased with the names given the new sex thought."
Stella laughed, and said: "Well, Stanley, I rather like the names C.I.
and C.M. Don't you, Penloe?"
Penloe said: "Yes, the term or name 'Sex Reform Thought' I think very
ambiguous, but C.I. and C.M. are names which convey to the mind the
ideas they are intended to express."
Brookes said: Stella, I will read you another letter I received from a
friend of mine in Bakersfield:
"BAKERSFIELD, Cal.
"_Stanley Brookes, Esq.,_
"_Roseland, Cal.:_
"DEAR FRIEND BROOKES: Yes, it is just as you say,
Bakersfield may be a very fast town, but there are some
people here who are ripe for the 'C. Movement.' My
experience and what I see here about me every day have
made me so sick of the old ideas concerning sex that it
does me good to see the interest people are taking in
the literature you sent me. One woman told me that the
pamphlet I gave her had been read by nine persons. Say,
old boy, don't you think you could get Penloe and
Stella to come here and wake us up a little more. My,
they would be a drawing-card! I will see that they are
not out anything by coming. Now, do your level best to
get them here, for they would start the ball a-rolling
in fine shape.
"Yours for the 'C.I.,'
"ARTHUR PAINE."
Holding up the package of letters, Brookes said: "Here are letters from
Ventura, San Jose, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Riverside, Oakland,
Sacramento, and a number of other places, all asking the same question,
'Could I get you both to come to their places to speak.' They all seem
so anxious to see and hear the leaders of the great C.M., and that is
why Herbert and I are here this morning to see if you both will accept
these pressing invitations to speak in a cause which is so dear to you."
Stella said: "I appreciate your kind thoughtfulness in coming out here
to see us, and thus give us an opportunity of talking the matter over
together." Then she was silent, and Barker and Brookes both said
afterwards they never saw Stella look so serious and sober since they
knew her as she looked then. It seemed as if a struggle was going on
within her. After a few minutes' silence, there seemed to be a feeling
in Stella's voice as she spoke. Looking straight at the two young men
before her, she said: "To you I can speak in confidence. My aunt (Mrs.
Marston) has known for a year or two that I had a great desire to travel
and see the world. Since I first met Penloe that desire has grown much
stronger. On my wedding day, aunt gave me a bank book with ten thousand
dollars placed to my credit, saying it was to be used for the purpose of
enjoying our honeymoon on a long journey around the world. I can hardly
tell you how delighted I was when I thought what had been only a dream
to me was about to be realized. Next week we were going to Roseland to
visit aunt, then we were going abroad. Yes, Penloe and I have had such
delightful talks about the countries we were going to visit. We talked
much about some of the places and people in India we expected to see.
Penloe has told me about the Sannyasins and the great Yogis of India,
saying he could arrange matters so that we could live with some of them
for a while. The thought of seeing and talking with those wonderful
spiritual giants has kept me awake at night, my mind filled with joyous
thoughts. He said, 'The great Yogi Kattakhan has conquered all nature,
and at any time he could put himself in a mental condition so that he
could give the contents of any book in any part of the world.'
"I remember the last time I was with you in Roseland, both of you were
telling me you had read Burnette's book on 'The Freedom of the Women of
Tiestan,' also Wharburton's 'The Land of Surprises.' Well, we had
decided to visit the city of Semhee, in Tiestan, and see those
remarkable people. Till now I had not thought of there being anything to
prevent our going."
Barker said: "Well, Stella, all we had heard was that you were married,
and we did not know anything about your contemplated tour."
Stella said: "It was quite right for you to come and see us, and I am
very glad you have. Of course, we intended calling on you both before we
left for the Orient. Now, what I have told you is that you may see and
know exactly how we are situated in regard to accepting the invitation
to speak in the various places. The C.M. is dear to me, yes, very dear.
I rejoice in the progress the movement is making through the efforts of
you both, and before giving you an answer I must go and think it over,
so you will please excuse me."
As her graceful figure was leaving the room, she said: "Penloe, come to
our room about fifteen minutes before dinner. Clara told me that they
were going to have dinner at one o'clock to-day."
After Stella had left the room, Penloe chatted with the young men about
the C.M., and then said: "Would you like to take a walk about the
place?" and they both said, "Yes, this is our first visit to Treelawn."
This was the first time Barker and Brookes had met Penloe. They had
heard him deliver his address in Roseland, and were now pleased to have
the opportunity of enjoying his company. Penloe was about their age, and
the three became interested in relating some of their college
experiences. Barker and Brookes were eager to have Penloe tell them all
about the Hindu students, and what kind of men the Hindu professors are.
They had many a laugh while Penloe was relating some experiences which
seemed very peculiar to them. Penloe's interesting conversation had made
time pass very rapidly with them, and it was near the dinner hour before
they were aware of it.
Penloe said: "Please excuse me, I hear Stella calling." Taking out his
watch he said: "It is about time I was in the room; I did not think it
was so late."
After Penloe had left them, Barker said to Brookes: "Did you hear Stella
calling Penloe?"
"No," said Brookes, "did you?"
"No, I never heard her voice," said Barker, "but what did he mean by
saying she called him?"
"He meant she called him by what they call mental telegraphy," said
Brookes.
When Stella left the parlor and went to her room and had taken a seat,
her mind was filled with many conflicting thoughts and emotions. She
said to herself: "I was so unprepared for this; it was only last night I
remarked to Penloe, in about two weeks we would be on the ocean going to
Japan." "And, why can you not go?" said a powerful voice within her.
"You surely are not going to disappoint your aunt, are you, by not
going, after she has shown such love towards you as to give you ten
thousand dollars to travel on?" A little voice spoke within her and
said: "Are you and Penloe not the leaders of the C.M., and would it be
right for you to leave just as an interest is being awakened?" The
powerful voice said: "Stella, this is your wedding tour, and you have
accepted the money given you to go and you would not be doing yourself
justice to stay at home now." The little voice said: "Stella, what
effect do you think your influence would have on Barker and Brookes and
other young workers, if they see you indifferent to the calls? You have
always talked as if you would be willing to sacrifice everything for the
cause which is so dear to you." The strong voice said: "Yes, but if you
put off going now you will have to return the money to your aunt, and
when you are ready to go you may not have the money to go with." The
little voice said: "Stella, can you not give up the pleasure of a
wedding tour for the sake of helping others out of bondage into freedom,
thus making their lives happier and brighter?" The powerful voice said:
"It is only idle curiosity on the part of the people wanting to see you.
Do not be influenced by them; just think how it will help you in your
future labors to have visited the Oriental countries and sat at the feet
of those great Spiritual luminaries of India. If you go now, you have
got the money and you have got Penloe, who is the most interesting
traveling companion you could have. He knows many languages and can
master the Japanese and Chinese in a month or two. If you don't go now,
but postpone it till you think you can go, then perhaps Penloe might be
dead and how could you enjoy traveling without him?" That suggestion
touched Stella very deeply. After awhile the little voice said: "Stella,
dear, have the people of Japan, of China, of Persia, or of India sent an
invitation to come and speak to them? Are the great Sannyasins and Yogis
looking forward to receiving a visit from you? If the people of the
Orient had given you a special call, it would be right for you to go
now. They have not called you at all; but the people of California have.
They want you to follow up the grand noble work you so heroically
commenced, a work so dear to you that you were willing to make every
sacrifice in order to be true to yourself and thus free others from
bondage. Go into the silence, Stella, ask the Blessed Spirit for light
and knowledge and he will show you which path to choose."
And that is just what Stella did. When she came out of the silence her
face was radiant and her mind settled and clear.
When Penloe entered the room Stella spoke in a serious tone and said: "I
have half a mind to be just a wee bit put out with you, because you have
acted so indifferently in regard to our wedding tour. Why, it does not
seem to concern you whether we go or stay here." With a half twinkle in
her eye she said: "I must say, you don't act like most men would who had
just married a young lady with ten thousand dollars to spend on a
wedding tour."
Penloe said: "I will answer you, Stella, dear, as if you spoke in
earnest."
Stella said: "That is just what I want you to do, Penloe."
He said: "Stella, why should I care whether I am here or going on a
wedding tour through the Orient with you? All I have to do is to realize
and manifest the Divine. Stella, I have learned this one lesson, _that I
am not in it_, for it is He that is doing it all. It was He that placed
me in certain environments in India for my spiritual unfoldment. It was
He that brought me to Orangeville. It was He that caused you and me to
come together as co-workers in a cause which is so dear to us. It was He
that made us man and wife. It was He that caused you to pass through
this struggle which you have just had with yourself and brought you out
victorious. It was He that caused you just now to cut the last cord of
attachment and made you free."
Penloe had been standing while he talked and just here Stella rose from
her seat and, going up to him, put her arms round his neck and said:
"Yes, dear, it is He, it is He. He hath done it all and He has given me
you as my husband and spiritual teacher." She kissed him and said:
"Bless you, dear."
Continuing, she said: "Do you know that the fight I have just had has
been the most trying and severe I ever experienced?"
"Yes, dear," said Penloe, "I know all about it, and when a youth I
thought I was free from all attachment, till I passed through the most
trying experience in my life, which showed me I was not free from all
desire and attachment. In coming out of that struggle I cut the last
cord which bound me to the external, and since then I have been free,
and illumination followed, and that is why I have received light, and
knew before I rose the next morning after our wedding we would not go
now on a wedding tour, but would speak all through the State of
California. I knew what a struggle you were going to have, and I knew it
was necessary in order that you might be free from all attachment, for
the love of traveling through the Orient owned you just a little, and
now that you have become truly free illumination will be yours." He
ceased speaking and kissed her.
Stella said: "I must take care and let nothing own me, for I see that as
soon as I allow myself to be owned I become its slave, and you know,
dear, that freedom from everything is my goal."
Penloe and Stella entered the dining-room just as Mrs. Herne had seated
Barker and Brookes at the table. As Stella took her seat the two young
men thought they had never seen her face so beautiful, with its sweet
smile and calm expression. Her vivacity brought out the wit and humor of
the two guests, who were always considered good company at any one's
table. Penloe said little, because he saw how the two young men were
enjoying Stella's bright conversation. After dinner the company
adjourned to the parlor.
Stella seated herself between her two friends, and looking at Barker she
said: "I must tell you and Stanley that we have given up going on our
wedding tour through the Oriental countries. We both feel we are wanted
here and we will stay where our work calls us."
Barker replied saying: "Your decision is grand and we will feel much
encouraged in having you with us."
Stella said: "We will spend a week with aunt before starting out to
speak. During our stay in Roseland we will see much of each other and
have opportunities for perfecting our plans."
Two days later Penloe and Stella became the guests of Mrs. Marston,
arriving at that lady's house about four in the afternoon, which was an
hour before Stella's aunt dined. Mrs. Marston was delighted to receive
her niece and her husband, for she was at her best when she had company.
After dinner, as it was a little chilly, a fire was lit in the open
grate and the three sat round to enjoy a social time.
Mrs. Marston said: "Stella, I suppose you and Penloe have all your plans
made for your wedding tour."
Stella said: "Well, Aunt, we had made many plans and I had built several
castles which I expected to occupy during our journey, but we received a
visit from Herbert and Stanley while we were at Charles' and Clara's
and they brought with them a number of letters containing invitations
for us to speak on the 'California Idea,' as it is now called, and we
think it best to give up our wedding tour and do what we can to help
forward the California movement; and, Aunt, the money which you so very
kindly gave me to use for a wedding tour, I feel I ought to return to
you, as we are not going; and so here is a check for the full amount of
your gift made payable to your order."
Mrs. Marston received the check from Stella and said: "I had hoped you
would have gone on your tour."
And added in a laughing tone: "You two are the strangest persons I have
ever met. The idea of giving up ten thousand dollars and losing the
opportunity of seeing the most interesting countries in the world, for
the sake of talking to persons who are curious to see how you both look
because they have read about you in the papers."
"I appreciate your gift just the same, Aunt, as if we had used the
money," said Stella.
Mrs. Marston said: "Of course, I want you both to do whatever you think
best." As they continued their conversation the door-bell rang and four
of Stella's friends called to see her. They were Dr. Lacey's two
daughters and two young gentlemen. They spent the evening in games and
music, and when they left it was late. Mrs. Marston, Penloe and Stella
sat in front of the fire a few minutes before retiring, and just before
Stella rose from her seat to wish her aunt good-night, Mrs. Marston
said: "Stella, dear, I thought I would have a little fun with you so I
accepted the check, but I had no intention of taking the money back. No,
dear, I want you to keep it and use it as you think best"; and taking
the check off the mantel with a laugh she threw it into the fire.
Stella rose from her seat to wish her aunt good-night, and thanked her
again for her handsome gift.
Mrs. Marston's guests spent a very pleasant time in Roseland. As they
were very popular, they received many invitations to dinner. They saw
Barker and Brookes every day and had chats about the C.M. After several
consultations in regard to making arrangements for the work, they at
last reached the conclusion that it would be best for Penloe and Stella
to go to Southern California and commence their labors there. At
Penloe's request the two young men agreed to accompany them, as Penloe
said there was a kind of work to be done that they were adapted for and
their services would be really needed. And as Charles and Clara Herne
wished to be actively engaged in the C.M., it was decided to transfer
the head office from Roseland to Orangeville, where the Hernes would see
to the sending out of literature and do all the correspondence, and so
that would relieve Barker and Brookes, and they could travel with Penloe
and Stella, and Mr. Herne could do their work and see to his ranch.
Barker said: "Brookes and I will pay all our own expenses connected with
the work," and Penloe said: "For the present we will do likewise, as we
do not wish to accept money from any one for our services; for by so
doing our influence will be much greater."
Brookes said: "Why, Penloe, the people who have invited you and Stella
to speak have expressed a wish to pay all expenses and remunerate you
both for your services as well. When I think how hard you worked to get
what few dollars you may have saved from your earnings, I hardly think
you are called upon to use your hard earnings when there are so many
more financially able to pay your expenses."
"I thank you, Stanley," said Penloe, "for your interest in my financial
welfare, but I see you are under the same impression that many others
are, in thinking that I worked out for the money there was in it. If it
had been money I wanted, I could have accepted a very fine offer from a
university to fill the Chair of Oriental Languages; but instead of being
Professor of Sanskrit and drawing a fine salary, I took the position as
dishwasher in a restaurant in San Francisco for awhile. Then I worked
with pick and shovel on the Pacific Coast Road. Next I worked on the
streets in the City of Chicago. I returned to Orangeville and took a
position as cowboy on a great cattle ranch near Orangeville. Then I
worked out as a ranch hand. I did all this hard, disagreeable work for
my spiritual unfoldment. I did it to bring myself in touch with the hard
lot of the masses. I did it also to show that if a man is upright in his
purpose he can live the Divine life anywhere. Again, I did it that I
might minister to the needs and necessities of that class of men who see
and hear so little in their lives to touch their Divine nature. That was
excellent for me; it helped to broaden and fit me for other work."
Brookes said: "It must have been exceedingly disagreeable to a man of
your tastes, culture and refinement, to perform such hard muscular work
in such rough surroundings, among coarse animal men."
Penloe said: "It would have been all that you have just expressed had it
not been for the fact that neither my work, my rough, tough companions,
nor my disagreeable environments were my world. No, they were not my
world. I built a wall around me and allowed none of these things to
enter my inner thought. My life was one of bliss, for I was all the time
drinking deep at the fountain of Divine love, and by His help I trained
and disciplined myself so that I saw Him in my hard manual toil. I saw
Him in all my uninviting environments, and, above all, I saw Him in my
animal companions."
Barker and Brookes saw such a glow of spiritual fire in Penloe's face as
he finished his last remark as they had never seen there before. They
realized they were in the presence of a divine man, and their natures
had been touched by his discourse.
After a pause Penloe said: "My father left me property which brings me
an income sufficient to make me independent of receiving financial
support from those we intend to address."
After further talk in regard to perfecting arrangements, it was decided
that Barker and Brookes should go to Los Angeles and arrange for Penloe
and Stella to speak on Thursday evening of the following week. The
committee of arrangements in Los Angeles saw the need of securing the
largest hall in the city, for the city dailies had taken up the matter
of their coming and dwelt upon it, so that interest in the subject
combined with curiosity to see and hear two such remarkable personages
caused the committee to do their best to provide accommodations for the
large crowd they expected. Before the time for opening the meeting every
seat in the large hall had been taken and standing room was all that was
left, and that even was taken by the time the meeting was opened.
The Mayor of Los Angeles opened the meeting in the following language:
"It gives me great pleasure this evening to see before me this large and
intelligent audience. I am proud to think that this audience before me
to-night has demonstrated the wisdom and good sense of the leaders of
the C.I. in selecting this city, above all others in this State, to open
the campaign for the C.M. In order that you may feel better acquainted
with the persons who will address you to-night, I will let you into a
little secret which came to me in a very indirect way. It seems that the
gentleman and lady who are on the platform were about to start on their
wedding tour through the Oriental countries, and they had received the
gift of a handsome sum of money to defray their traveling expenses; but
when Los Angeles and other places sent pressing invitations to them to
speak they gave up their wedding tour and returned the money to the
giver in order that they might be able to accept the call which you and
other cities have given them. I must say, in justice to the giver, it
was subsequently returned. They are here at their own expense, they
receive no remuneration whatever. I tell you this so you may appreciate
their nobility and fidelity of character, their honesty of purpose in so
grand a cause. Ladies and gentlemen, I now have the honor of
introducing to you Penloe and Stella, the leaders of the C.I., who will
address you this evening."
When Penloe and Stella came forward the whole audience rose and saluted
them.
In regard to the meeting, we will quote a few extracts from one of the
Los Angeles dailies: "However various the views on the C.I. the audience
may have which heard Penloe and Stella last night, there can be but one
thought in regard to the speakers themselves, and that is they are the
two most remarkable and distinguished personalities that ever appeared
before a Los Angeles audience. As speakers, they are brilliant, logical
and impressive, and soon inspire you with their sincerity of purpose and
with confidence in themselves. It seems there _is tacked on to the C.I.
'Woman's Suffrage'_, for it is claimed that a woman is still in bondage
till she stands equal before the law, and has all the rights and
privileges that a man has.
"Penloe's remarks were addressed more particularly to men, looking at
the C.I. from the standpoint of a man, while Stella presented the
woman's view.
"Penloe put these questions to the men of the audience: 'Is there a man
here to-night who does not think that the average woman is as
intelligent as the average man? Is there a man here to-night who does
not think that woman has a divine nature the same as man? I would like
to see the man rise in this audience who thinks he has a divine nature,
but does not wish another being who has a divine nature to enjoy the
same privileges as he himself enjoys?'... Stella portrayed in a telling
manner the sufferings and misery which have been woman's lot through
being in bondage to her material form.... We here give a few notes from
Stella's address:
"A woman who is in bondage to her material form can never rise above the
idea that she is just a woman and nothing more."
"A woman to be free must have a higher idea of herself than that she is
only a woman."
"A woman can only advance as her thought concerning herself advances."
"When woman looks upon herself as an intellectual and spiritual being,
and not as just being a woman only, and her whole thought is to adorn
her mind and manifest the qualities of her soul, then will man look upon
her with the same eyes as she looks upon herself."
"It is not man that keeps woman in bondage, but woman keeps herself in
bondage through the thought she has concerning herself."... "Stella
said we are not here on a flying visit, we have decided to remain in
Southern California till two-thirds of its inhabitants are not only
talking of _but living_ the C.I., and we will stay here till we get a
vote of two-thirds from all males over twenty-one, and all women over
eighteen, in favor of woman's suffrage. It does not matter how pressing
the calls to speak elsewhere may be, we shall not accept them till the
work is completely done in Southern California."