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Fibre of women – Men exercise more than women get warmer, follow all the active pursuits and golf, and they need baths. Women only do housecleaning and stand over stoves. They do not need baths. Baths would wash off their bloom. Only in a comparatively small region of the world where there are advanced, unproved ideas do women bathe. Vote upon imposing on women this additional burden.” The second article was called At the Bath House amusing verses written by some poor soldiers in the trenches relating their trials in attempting to get into clothing that was shrunken “They serve you out pants in the bath house – Which shrivel when water comes nigh. I once saw a pair of old trousers which shrank to an evening dress tie” and so it goes on but better fashions awaited him. his luck turned and his next draw was a pair that had evidently been made for an Elephant.
Ellen Farquhar read a number of bright little anecdotes.
Mrs. Downey wanted to know what blackberries to plant “Early Harvest” were recommended and for late variety “Kittany”
Sarah Wilson gave an interesting account of Anna Shaws wonderful address in Washington recently. Annie Kirk read some very appropriate lines “A Spring Time Carol”. There is no need of waiting Till the birds begin to sing For reliable assurance Of the coming of the Spring. You can tell it by the shivers from your shoulders to your knees You can tell it by the manner In which people start to sneeze You can tell it by cold waves in an unexpected rush. You can tell it by the roadway now transformed to mire and slush. Though the blossoms are reluctant. And the birds refuse to sing There are many indications. Of the near approach of Spring.
Also “From Day to Day” by Florence Earle Coates and this The pretty girl of the party was taunting the genial bachelor on his reasons for being single He said – “Nor I never was exactly disappointed in love
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He meditated I was more what you might call discouraged. When I was very young I became enamored of a young lady of my acquaintance I was mortally afraid to tell her of my feelings at last I screwed up my courage to the proposing point I said “Let’s get married. And she said Good Lord who’d have us”
Ellen Farquhar suggested Hallie Bentley be asked to write A Memorial of Louisa T. Brooke.
Sallie Janney asked every one who could knit to make eye bandages for the soldiers
Margaret Bancroft gave notice that the Poli Troupe of Washington would give a play March 26th for the benefit of the social service League of Mont. Co
Adjourned to home of the Misses Chandlee
Fanny B Snowden Sec Pro.tem
Homewood
Owing to the decease of Mary T. Bond our session for 4th mo 1917 was omitted. The following is offered to the memory of one who had contributed for many years to the interest and value of our gatherings. Coming to Sandy Spring from her home more than a half a century ago she was respected and beloved by her friends and neighbors to an unusual degree, A woman of bright mind and sterling worth., her hospitality and kindness of heart were only equalled by her strict integrity in word and deed. 5th mo 3rd 1917 found our ancient society just entering its 61st year holding the 733d session at the comfortable attractive home of the four sisters Chandlee. A number present had been pupils of one or more of this family of teachers and in some cases a second generation was thus aided along the paths of educating and morality. Guests were Margaret B. Magruder, Cornelia H Bentley Harriet I. and Helen B. Lea, Mary A. Gilpin and Katherine Hutton. Virginia Steer and Margaret G. T. Moore were absent. An admirable memoir of our late member Martha A. Holland
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Was read by Fanny B. Snowden. Hallie J. Bentley’s sentiment was brief and to the point:
“Faithfulness over a few things gives us ownership over many.” She supplemented this axiom by relating her experience of its truth when she was at Bloomfield. If she could possibly attend to the duties of the old Spring house every morning, she found her pantry was better stocked and the family better fed thus making other departments more easily managed.
A discussion of wages ensued and the rates of 75 cts. a day for laundry and 1.00 for housecleaning and butchering seemed to be the rates here at present. Annie M. Chandlee read an Easter poem written by Sarah F. Smiley over 80 years of age who when a young woman established a home course of Bible study. She owns a large, and valuable library and is considered an authority on all pertaining to the Bible.
Elma P. Chandlee gave curious facts about that epitome of industry the Honey Bee. Sixty-thousand clover blossoms must be visited to gather nectar for a single pound of its food: strictly between ourselves we believe this statement is more easily swallowed than either proved or refuted. Thrifty New England feeds his swarms of apple sauce made quickly and cheaply of the whole fruit ground and stewed and sweetened. He claims the increase in egg-production is remarkable so we have a small circular example in Arithmetic. Bees plus applesauce make more eggs more eggs make more bees, more bees make more honey. E. P. C.’s roses had been a disappointment for years and she wished to learn the cause. Ellen Farquhar said a clay subsoil was probably needed and that Bordeaux mixture will prevent or destroy most of the pests which injure both bush and flowers.
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Eliza N. Moore gave a brief biography of Balfour our English guest now in Washington. He is a Scot by birth but has numerous English relatives. A graduate of Cambridge he became a M D at the age of 26 - a hard student and successful teacher in literature and scholarship - he has a fine reputation yet is by no means what is known as a high brow in his intercourse with less gifted men. – Ellen Farquhar read a few paragraphs in lighter vein then read a prayer for the day by Eleanor Scott Sharpless
We see as never seen by man before us The fearful havoc blighting all our race We fear the very men whom once we trusted; We watch blood-fury taking reasons place Help us like thee to follow Gods way only, Nor shrink the cup our lips may need to drain Thine is the Kingdom of God and thine the power Thou rulest still and life must rise again.
Her second selection was a quaint conceit Called the House Blessing
Bless the four corners of this House and be the lintel blest And bless that door that opens wide To stranger as to kin And bless each crystal window pane That lets the starlight in. And bless the [?] tree overhead and every sturdy wall The peace of man, the peace of God, the peace of Love on all”
Estelle Moore asked for a contribution of 80 cts a member to aid the social service League and she was appointed to collect the same. India Downey took up for a collection to pay for copying the minutes of 1915 & 1916 and the cost
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Of a new book which becomes necessary every four or five years. It was moved and carried that Amy Hutton and sister Elise, and Julia Hallowell all of Brookeville be made members of the Association and Margaret Bancroft an Associate member from date
Estelle T. Moore gave from the Independent a very original essay “Why I like to be poor”. The writer defended her unusual attitude of mind by recounting the many blessings of poverty and pro contra the treats of wealth. In the act of marrying a poor man the lady said she had anchored herself securely to poverty in whose blessed reality she firmly believed.
Mary E. Thomas read one of Walt Masons clever parodies but as she and the Sec live together she has been unable to secure the article.
Rebecca T. Miller had phlox plants to give away. Elizabeth T. Stabler brought a bright little poem “Daffy-down dilly” and recommended a new material to make wash day more easy which is called Gyx” and sold at the rate of three boxes 25 cts.
E. C. Davis read of a letter 2200 years old which was recently opened for the first time with a mallet taken out of its Clay Envelope and read by Dr. Langdon of The Pa University. The Epistle was merely a haughty order from some dignitary to a flour merchant, and evidently been a “dead letter” for 64 generations. Query did the family have to live on corn bread in consequence. Mary E. Gilpin had an interesting sketch of Amelia E. Barr who at the age of 87 years works nine hours a day, mentally young and physically strong she is busy planning more books although the author of 77 volumes and hundreds of short stories essays & editorials. A native of England she married at nineteen