Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1909-1914

19

lbs-of this newcomer, who should be royally welcomed. Martha Holland's selection was upon the real value of little things, often they form a great aggregate. Day is made beautiful by little beams and happiness is more often the result of a number of small actions that we imagine.

Sarah F. Willson threw a slight bomb into our midst by reading an article against vaccination. A few agreed with the writer, but as all present had been thus safeguarded against smallpox in youth, perhaps they would scarcely be willing to give up their own immunity from one of the most terrible scourges of former times. Ellen Farquhar gave a fine poem "How does Death speak of our beloved?" from which we quote:

"Only the present hour is mine I may not have another, In which to speak a kindly word Or keep a fallen brother, The path of life lies straight ahead, I can retrace it never, The daily record which I make, Will stand unchanged forever."

Carrie M. Brooke read from "Life, A Successful Succession," a most amusing extravagance upon the fact that President Roosevelt had broken all records by choosing his successor.

Helen S. Stabler's article also caused a hearty laugh as it was all about the enormous headgear of the present, which it was declared could be readily evolved from a waste basket, and some ribbon and flowers. Rebecca T. Miller gave a short extract from "The Woman's Journal" of the still harder fate of the woman who is under "the man with the hoe," and Elizabeth T. Stabler extracts

20

from a letter written by Sally E. Taylor telling of her charming trip to Catalina Island in company with Lilla H. Saunders - They saw whole sides of houses covered with pink geraniums, and heliotrope growing to the eaves.

The Association adjourned to the home of Mary G. Colt, afterwards changed to meet with Ellen Farquhar on 6/24, 1909.

We cannot close these faulty notes of our varied and interesting session without reference to the cause of a dropped month in our calendar.

Louisa T. Brooke was present a part of the day and reported a decided change for the better in the condition of her husband who had been indisposed for three weeks and we rejoiced with her at the prospect of his speedy recovery. But it was not to be - shortly after a temporary rally it became evident the days were numbered of this admirable man and citizen, devoted husband, and father whose presence in many sick rooms had been considered a benediction in countless instances.

For the lonely hearts left at "Brooke Place" our tears may fall, but there should not be sorrow for the soul, ripe for immortality, to whom has been spoken the words -- "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou unto the joy of thy Lord."

Mary Bentley Thomas Sec

21

6/24, 1909, we held our meeting in the month of roses with Ellen Farquhar, whose beautiful gardens were a delight to the eye, and her vines a marvel to those who ignorantly admire but have no gifts for creation in this line. Guests were Ellen Stabler, Elizabeth Iddings, Corrie M. Brooke, Mrs. Taylor of New York, Mrs. Taylor of Wilmington, Anna Van B. Bentley, Mrs. Pilling, Mrs. Kelly, Jessie Mc.Reynolds, Annabelle Page and Rebecca T. Miller.

Ellen Farquhar's brief sentiment was a sermon in a nutshell "Character is the result of the reiterated choice of good or evil" - George Eliot. Helen S. Stabler offered the name of Elinor Hartshorne as a future member, and the list now stands - Sally Randolph Janney, Fanny B. Snowden Charlotte Brigham Elinor Hartshorne

The Sec. suggests that daughters of members be not overlooked and will ask the Association to take into consideration next month the making Elizabeth Stabler a joint associate with her mother as was done with regard to Mary Osborne and Albina O. Stabler.

Eliza N. Moore brought a new book, "Old Meeting Houses," by John Russell Hayes, from which she gave extracts. A fine descriptive poem might have been written of Sandy Spring.

Anna Van B. Bentley read "An Unpayable Debt" which many of us were not aware we owed. A Mrs. Osborne of New York envied her husband his comfortable soft shirts, and she finally asked his tailor to make her a half dozen similar garments with a little more decoration. This fashion was immediately copied by her friends, and sprang into

22

such popularity it has been adopted alike by the Duchess and the washerwoman, in fact has adapted itself to the needs of women everywhere in the civilized world. It was said that a memorial statue to Mrs. Osborne might be erected in America and her crown be a folded shirtwaist.

Mary G. Colt followed with a short rhyme upon "Some Day" - which is "rushed with orders" while the present may be a neglected opportunity for achievement. The name of a country place "Had Her Way" caused a laugh; the story is that a city woman was determined to take her family to the country and this title was upon the front gate.

There was an interesting informal discussion of Edward Everett Hale, who was once described as "the clearing house for the woes of mankind." People and nations appealed to him, and he always found time to answer such claims happily. Mrs. Pilling told of the devotion of Ellen Hale to her father, and of her great assistance to him in his literary work. Margaret G. T. Moore had collected dues for the County Federation of Clubs and having been given rather more than was requisite, she with the consent of the Association, placed a remaining dollar in the hand of the Sec. to pay for copying the minutes.

M. G. J. M.'s - contribution was a tribute to the keenness and integrity of the many sided Benjamin Franklin. He took a seed from a whisk broom, and planted it, the seed were again saved and from this small beginning sprang the broom corn industry of the United States. Dr. Franklin

23

saw an old willow basket sprouting in water, he saved the green shoots, and they were given to a friend to place along a stream near his home - Thus was the useful willow introduced here and its product eventually gave employment to hundreds of thousands.

The Ant problem was once more before us, powdered borax and a sweetened sponge as a trap were two remedies given. Rebecca T. Miller was told she could dig her tulips and narcissus bulbs almost anytime in the summer and put them right back in the same bed after it was dug up. She then read an excellent poem - "Fence or Ambulance," A high cliff had a road dangerously near the edge and the two methods to protecting travellers were to erect a fence at the top, or raise more money to keep an ambulance down in the valley, always ready to pick up the killed and wounded. That the fence would be cheaper and much more effective was conclusive and the moral too plain to require any explanation. Pattie T. Farquhar gave from "Curious facts," an extraordinary advertizement from an English paper of the 18th Century and the phrase "Jack of all Trades" was supposed to originate from the original. We were informed rhubarb roots may be moved in Spring, Summer or Autumn as convenient to oneself. Harriet I. Lea read "Blessings on the Woman who invented ice cream." Mrs. Dolly Madison first served it in very small quantities at the White House receptions. The wife of an army officer, name unknown, was said to have invented the freezer but venerable Martha Ferris of Wilmington says it