Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-01-16
Miss Scraggles' Literary Society.

MISS LaSinla ocraSgles was a resi-
dent OF GadsvilIe. She was the
wealthiest young lady in the place,
and had the additional honor Of be
ing the daughter OF the Squire. The
maidens of the village considered
her a paragon of perfection, both in
regard to her style Of arraying her.
self and the numerous airs and graces
she assumed; and. accordingly, with
feminine quickness, they initiated
her in the most minute details.
She had been educated at fash
ionable seminary. On her entrance
therein she possessed the simplicity
aud truthfulness of nature; but these
good qualities were soon rubbed of
by the pernicious influences which
surrounded her, and she returned
home with her head full of nom
sense, knowing little of everything,
but not having proficient know
ledge Of any one sensible subject.
Like many other people in this
world, Miss Scraggles always had a
hobby. But it was never destined
to exist for any length of time. Var
ious had been the sewing s-circles, the
mite societies, and the fancy fairs
held under her auspices. But she
soon grew weary, and abandoned
these different hobbies, and looked
about for a fresh one to occupy her
thoughts.
At last a brilliant idea entered
her brain. She resolved that she
would dedicate her time to dissem-
mating the seeds of learning among
her fellow-creatures. Her life should
be devoted to literature. She had
been reading a work on Woman's
Mission" and from the chaos of con-
fused thoughts that the perusal of
the book created in her mind, she
received the impression that every
woman had an allotted labor 10 per-
form in this world. Her work, she
resolved should be to intellectually
elevate the people of Gadsville-to
give q more learned and classical
tone to the society, the conversation,
the manners and the customs Of her
native village.
Deeming herself quite capable Of
performing this task, she entered
with ardor into the undertaking.
She determined she would live to
adorn the name of woman, and win
laurels for herself by strewing the
flowers of learning in the pathway
of others.
Miss scraggles invited her youth
full friends, of both sexes, to unite
with her in forming "The Literary
Society OF Gads0ille for the Moral
and Intellectual improvement of its
members, and the Diffusion of
knowledge among Mankind.
The Gadsville people marvelled.
They had been contented to plod on
in the same beaten track for years,
never seeking literature to elevate
them. The good folks wondered
what aid or benefit they were to de-
rive from the society, with the long
string OF names, which had sprung
up in their mids.. However, they
reflected that it was one of the new
tangled notions Of the 'Squire's s
daughter, and must be ali right,
since she was at the head of it.
Having settled everything to her
satisfaction, Lavina impatientiy
waited the time when the first meet
ing of the society was to be held.
The members were to assemble at
her residence.
The evening arrived at last, so did
her literary friends. The gentle
men were gotten up in the manner
that BODIED III for the tender hearts
of the ladies; and the ladies them.
selves looked very bewitehing in
their pretty costumes.
The business Of the evening com
mereed. The youths endeavored &c
look wise, and to cast INTO their ply
siognOmies ~ expression that would
have honored one Of Eome's areieni
Senator'S. The Inaldens uied to re
move lie somewha, puzzled lOol
tia. e.eps iH.o their faces, and Il
appear - 4 tley e,npEehended 81
Thai was soins On.