Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-12-17

Nh Editor Il had through the kind in
vitation of friend been invited to attend
the Olney Reading Circle. 1t not being a
very long walk, we determined to become
pedestrians for the trip. Irrespective of the
shortness Of the walk there was yet a
stronger attraction in the beauty of the night.
1t was such one as poets delight to picture.
or such as must have inspired the moon
light Sonata Beethoven. For long before
dark the Queen of night arose advanced
boldly in all her queenly beauty as though
she was conscious of her superiority, while
the glittering stars, one by one, came gliding
into sight until the whole blue vault Of
heaven seemed as exulting in the conscious
ness of clothing all things in silvery robe
OF beauty. But, while we appreciated the
beauty of the night to such degree as to
become almost oblivious of the walk, we
were brought to ourselves by the light fash
ing from the windows Of the building in
which the society met
Now fully alive to the Importance of being
early, in order to understand the manner in
which things were constructed, we FASTENED
forward at what my friend termed "a break
neck pace" for such truly 1t came very near
being for him. For scarcely had the express
sion escaped him, when he performed some
OF the most brilliant feats in the shape of
suddenly assuming with his body parallel
position to the earth, in which his nose, ODE
dient to the laws of gravity, found itself in
close proximity to the ground, TO which it was
being formally introduced somewhat after
the manner in which several of the long
shouted animals use this member The only
difference is perhaps that he did not admire
it quite as well perhaps as the latter, judg-
ing from the tender manner in which he
handled that offended member. After hav-
ing gathered himself up and collected such
articles as cigar, hat, cane and looked for
sundry o.her things, as lost temper, which
we were unable to find at present, we pro-
ceeded on our journey, and arrived in time
to hear the meeting called to order by their
President, Miss Edith Farquhar While
order was being restored we had scarcely
time to observe that the room was nearly
1 filled with ladies and gentlemen, dressed in
their best. When the President announced
that their would be an election Of officers,
which resulted in the election of Mr. VIM.
}. Thomas as President graduate of Ran
dolph Macon, and at present principle of
the Brookeville Academy, while Miss Della
Barnsley was chosen Vice-President. The
election having taken place, we were pleas
antly entertained. Then Miss Barnsley and
Miss Young reading very appropriate selcc-
1 tons in an admirable manner They were
! followed by recess which lasted for about
/ fifteen minutes, when we were more than
/ entertained, if possible, by the recitations of
Mrs. Boyer and Mr. Thomas, the latter of
| whom recited Henry of Navarro in q man.
ner which beggars description, and who will
/ deliver a lecture before the Society on Mon
/ day, the Goth, upon the subject of Education.
/ Those who wish instruction, as well as enter
tainment, will be able to find it there All
are invited to attend. 1t is the intention of
! the Society to have a course of lectures dur
| ing the winter There being others on the
/ list to entertain were excused by the Presi-
| dent, who surely executed the duties of her
/ position in manner as becomes President
Now we are dismissed and those who had
not the fortune of having friend to accom-
| pany home were under the necessity of go
/ ing by themselves. So | wended my way
home with the thoughts passing through my
mind that though had visited many socie-
ties similar in most respects, yet in none did
! ever observe entertainment and instruction
so equally balanced. Most societies extend
their exercises TO such an extent as to weary,
/ buthere there seems TO exist disappointment
that it is not continued longer, which is a
happy augury of its continued success. Per-
haps the secret of its prosperity is the fact
that il was originated and organized by a
lady with the purpose of mutual improve
ment We imagine this Society is but in its
/ youth. For what cannot woman accom-
/ plish? Beneath her smile the palsied tongue
of age becomes eloquent, the heart fired with
the ardor of youth, and the soul made TO
bloom with the roses maturity.
J.F.B.