Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1909-1914

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of late. Margaret G.T. Moore gave an incident, which disproved the statement that 'beggars are always ungrateful.'

Virginia Steer told us that George Westinghouse invented his famous air brake from having seen a train man killed, because one of the old fashioned kind did not work at the critical moment. He made a large fortune by his patent. Mary T. Bond had an interesting account of the china in the White House, a careful inventory shows there are pieces which were used by all the Presidents except four - It is ranged in large cabinets along a lower hall, and there are 143 left of the Lincoln collection, 125 of Grants, 371 of Hayes, 30 of Arthurs, 1745 of Clevelands, 4500 of Harrisons and 32 belonging to the McKinley set. Albina O. Stabler bought a short sermon in the poem "Our duty here," which was shown to be;-

"To tend from good to better, thence to best And so to live that when the sun of our existence sinks in night, Memorials sweet of mercies done, May shrine our names in mercy's light."

Mary G. Colt read of the great help given the Wright brothers by their sister Katharine. She spent much of her hard earned cash in purchasing books for the two boys, who early in life began studying the principles of air navigation. She studied with them and was an aid and inspiration for years. The Sec, read a letter from her daughter Edith, describing "Stony Man Camp" - near Luray, and

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telling of the excitement caused by a lady being lost on the mountain all night. She then asked the Association to consider making Elizabeth T. Stabler an "Association member" with her mother, as was done in the case of Albina O. Stabler and Mary S. Osborne. It was decided to vote upon the proposition at our next meeting which will be held at the home of Martha Holland.

Mary Bentley Thomas, Sec

The Association met at the home of Martha Holland on the afternoon of 8/25, 1909 with Hannah Stabler, Mary M. Stabler, Mrs. Samuel Scott, Elizabeth Scott, Beatrice Rumford, Mrs C. W. Taylor, Mrs. G. Hickock, Mrs. Bernard Wilson, Ellen Stabler, Mrs. Nichols , Fanny Dickinson, Caroline S. Bond, Elizabeth T. Iddings, Emilie T. Massey, and Clara H. Moore as guests.

Under the head of new business it was suggested that Elizabeth T. Stabler be elected an associate member of the Association with her mother, it was moved and seconded that Alice Tyson cast the vote for the society which she gladly did in the affirmative, and we feel sure, that each one of us will extend a warm welcome to our new member. Notice was given that P. B. Hopkins, a student of City College Balto. had most excellent aluminium cooking utensils for

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sale - which it would be well for us to examine, and try if possible, as he is endeavouring to help educate himself by this agency. Our hostesse's well chosen sentiment was on "Self Government."

"The greatest battlefield of the world is the human heart, the greatest general is the one who can gain a victory over himself, the greatest king is the person who can at all times govern his own spirit. No man is competent to command until he has learned to obey. No man is competent to rule until he has first learned to govern himself." Estelle T. Moore's article "What is the frosting of life and what the cake" contained much valuable advice, and while we enjoy the frosting we hope our lives are based on the more substantial bread and cake, and quite agree "That of all sad mortals the fortunate unhappy, who have nothing but frosting are the saddest."

Ellen Farquhar gave us a telling poem picturing the foreign element at Riverton Library a few lines of which are,

"And see at the verge of the slums, Those foreign born children that march, In their hundreds and more in sunshine and storm through the arch, Of the library door."

Elizabeth Scott had an article on the treatment of the hair - also told of clipping the wing of young guineas which were sick and drooping, with marked success. Anna Lea asked if anyone had been troubled with dogs stripping husks from ears of sweetcorn and eating the latter, one or two

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had heard of new thieves, no redress suggested. Elizabeth Davis read a beautiful poem, "Unanswered yet" which appeals to each of us. A few lines shall be copied here,

"Unanswered yet, Faith cannot be unanswered, Her feet are firmly planted on a rock, Amid the wildest storms she stands undaunted, Nor quails before the loudest thunder shock. She knows omnipotence has heard her prayer, And crys, it shall be done, Sometime, some where."

Emilie Massey read "The Creating of Edna's Bonnet," a sketch showing the sad experience of a young man who was commissioned to buy an ecru waist for a young lady friend, and attracted by a hat bought it also much to his later regret. Ellen Stabler read an amusing short poem "Thinking Good." Mary Colt's contribution told of the sad plight of an artificial bird on coming to life on a bonnet.

"I really wish I knew if I'm just the way I grew. And if all these wings and tails are really mine, I am somewhat grieved to say, I am constructed in a way, That reflects upon my pedigree at least." Finally deciding it would rather be a sparrow than a freak.

Mary Stabler read an attractive short poem - "Little Raindrops."

Mary Bond gave us an article entitled "The Ideal Parent," by a boy of 18 yrs. Paramount in importance

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being home atmosphere, which should be that of peace and love. An interesting clipping of curious marriage customs was read by Mary Gilpin. Mrs. Scott asked about Alabastine - hers will not adhere to the walls - sizing with glue advised. We were sorry to note seven of our members absent, at this enjoyable meeting.

Adjourned to the home of Mary E. Gilpin, October 30th - changed later to Mary G. Colt.

Mary Bentley Thomas, Sec.

This sisters Mary and Julia Colt gave our ancient and honorable society a warm welcome to their cozy attractive home on 9/30, 1909. It is with no disparaging feeling toward the whole of mankind we hazard the opinion that it would have taxed the united genius of several more than two of the "non emotional" half of creation to have evolved as beautiful and comfortable an abiding place, as is the Wrenwood of today. Guests were Ellen Stabler, Caroline S. Bond, Elizabeth Iddings, Frances D. Stabler, Lucy S. Moore, Cornelia S. Reese, Julia Hallowell, Fanny Snowden, and Mary Wilson.

The first business was the extremely ready acceptance of an invitation from our mutual friend Ellen Stabler to allow her to be our hostess, at our next meeting. It has been many years since we have had this honor, and we highly appreciate it. Next was an appreciation from Mrs. Warfield