Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1896-1900

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from such Pagan philosophy, Ellen Stabler had some short articles of merit and Lydia G. Thomas an interesting sketch of Daniel Webster's first speech a boyish defense of a captured wood chuck, his brother Ezekiel being the opposing lawyer and their father the judge, Daniel winning the case. Sarah T. Miller gave from a reader by Frank G. Carpenter a graphic account of a visit to the Great Wall of China. Several expressed the wish that their school days could have been enlivened by such sweetmeats instead of the daily doses of the stately prose of "The English Reader and "McGuffey".

Louisa T. Brooke's selection was an appeal for peace and she distributed some literature sent out by the Peace Asso. Caroline H. Miller read Alfred Austin's new poem, and as rendered by her it appeared to be pretty good rhyme with some reason. Sue L. Thomas told of having seen and heard a bell buzzard in the air a few weeks since and then read from a Tennessee paper of a similar sight in that state in the past week. She also read some resolutions adopted by the Merchants and Manufacturers Asso. of Balt. which embodied the idea "Peace if with honor, War rather than dishonor" and Dollie E. Vedder offered "Two Voices" companion poems supposed to have been written by a soldier of the blue and one of the gray. Ellen Farquhar's contribution was also poetical. "No question is ever settled until it is settled right" directly opposite in theory to the one by the same poetess just read

by E. G. Thomas. Albina O. Stabler brought us a funny story of a boy who displayed the interests of a true lawyer by "keeping his eye on the squirrel" although various other distractions by subjects had been purposely introduced. Margaret S. Hallowell read "Two Women's Lives" and she promised the Assoc. a receipt for soft gingerbread. Sarah H. Stone recounted an incident in the life of Frances E. Willard when riding with Mrs Stanton she sprang from the vehicle and dragged a fallen tree out of the road by seizing the top branches saying "many of the blocks of life could be readily removed if we went at them with a will". Anna F. Gilpin wrote from Brownsville a very interesting letter to the Asso. read by Sarah E. Stabler who had in addition a fine poem in "Trustfulness". Louisa Nesbit and Carrie L. Brooke also favored us and we are pleased to note that our guests do so more and more frequently.

Martha Holland's good clipping said in part "a kind word put out at interest brings an enormous percentage of love and appreciation and little acts of daily kindness are really greater than one immense act of philanthropy. The ability to keep a friend was thought to be rarer than the power of making one".

Sarah A. Bond read of the antiquity, the importance and the respectability of the profession of agriculture. Eliza N. Moore gave a short poem by Frederic Tennyson who would have been more

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esteemed for his real poetic gifts if he had not been so overshadowed by the fame of Alfred the great poet. The sec. had an article on the prospect of a war with Spain for the deliverance of Cuba which sounded as if it had been clipped from yesterdays paper but it turned out to be an extract from an Anti Slavery Standard of 1852, she also handed around pictures of her baby grandson Carol Miller Farquhar.

A reference of to the recent death of the much beloved and deeply mourned Augusta S. Needles of Baltimore who had so many warm friends here, brought out some touching incidents which proved the loveliness of her life and character. The hostess said she was much obliged to each and all who had helped to make her first Asso. so pleasant and she hoped it was the beginning of a series of meetings at Knollton.

Adjourned to Rosedale.

Mary Bentley Thomas sec.

4/28 1898 found the ground covered with snow and the air so damp a smaller company than for many months gathered at Rosedale. Spring has been tardy this year and it is hard to realise when glancing over the lifeless landscape that just 25yrs ago on the same date wheat was fully in head, peas 3ft. high and fruit formed on the trees on the day of the devastating hailstorm of 4/28 1878. Ellen Stabler and Annie

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Beacham were acceptably with us. The sentiment of Sarah H. Stone from Friends Intelligencier was as follows - "We are always talking of the greatness of our principles, let us not forget that the more we believe in their greatness the longer should be our sacrifices on their behalf". Lydia G. Thomas read a scrap which deprecated the custom of rice throwing at weddings, of marking baggage with white placards and of calling especial attention to brides and grooms among strangers. Many agreed with the writer though one woman who was married before these unspeakable customs came in vogue thought the rice act a harmless diversion. The sec. thought one visitor struck the big note when she pronounced such annoyances to a newly wedded couple "vulgar". Lydia G. Thomas had a second article relating to the enormous exportation of vanilla beans from Mexico. Ellen Stabler read "The bravest battle that ever was fought" From Daily Strength for Daily Deeds" When ones burden is heaviest it may always be lightened by helping another burden bearer.

Sarah T. Miller read "The dream of the advertisement girl" a laughable extravaganza.

Elizabeth C. Davis gave a synopsis of a lecture by Prof. [Heilpnic?] on the wonders of Mexico describing, among other interesting observations, the change in vegitation caused by altitude

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commencing with tropical growth at the base of the mountains, Swan Beacham corroborated what was stated and told of the beauty of Mexican landscapes. Sarah E. Stabler told of curious new patents and a second contribution from which we caught "He alone is wise who crowns each day with lofty purposes and ennobling deeds". Mary E. Moore asked if any one would take two consumptive girls from Balto. for the summer but it was thought a hospital or sanitarium was the only safe place for such cases. She also read a letter she had rec. from a Mrs. Craig of Canada, a temperance speaker, whom M.E.M. thought a brilliant woman.

An article upon the petrified forests of Arizona stated it was proposed to preserve these curiosities by involving the aid of government to set aside a larger tract as a National Park. Swan Beacham gave, by request, a graphic account of her escape with husband and friend from a burning steamer in a lonely part of Canada, she was attired in one garment and stockings, her friend having one garment and stockings, all their baggage was destroyed and it was 24 hrs. before they could find a store with any clothing suitable for themselves. In the meanwhile the narrator had worn carpet slippers and her friend a pair of mens long hose with the toes cut off and the heels like a pocket on each ankle!!