South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-05-12
Sketch Of the Romney Reading
Club, read at its meeting April 2ls,, 1882.
NY ryoursv


In accepting the invitation OF this OF.
eanization TO write a sketch descriptive
OF our Clubs past history, we were not
unmindfcl of the erduous duty devolv-
ing upon US, aud fain would have sh,unk
from the task, but for the remembrance
that we have been members from its in.
cipisncy, and down the yesrs,antil tue
present have enjoyed the pleasures G.
yer attending it's meetings. And with
these considerations bearing upon US we
Wonld indeed he recreant to duty did we
not a. least attempt ventilation of i,s
history L incidents and some mention OF
tho great names enrolled as its menu bers.
lo recalling the past with what pleasure
do we dwell upon its enjoymsn.s--inno-
cent and pure as we ttast--unbendiug
the mind from tolls of the week nor
can we ever forget the framors Of this
so-iong -liyed-institution. whose life. en-
ergy and animation lail the foundation
OF what has since been SO fully realized
by US.
Eariy in November, 1870. there con-
"ebed ST the d., ID. * 3. Institution ii
number OF persons who resolved them
selves into "THE RoMNEY READING
CLUE" name that has since become a
household word. and one that In the
years to come, will be as an oasis in the
desert, suggestive of youth, pleasure and
brightness. Tue following is q list of
the members: Mrs. Nellie White, Misses
Julia Goldman, Mamie Miller, !. NJ.
Kern, Lizzie Wilson, Avery Coyell, j on.
Mo Dailey, Maggie Gilkcson, Annie Co
veil, Title Kern and Mary Is. Footc.-
aicssrs. r. c. Ferguson, Ii. B. Gilke-
sou. j.. NJ. Gilkeson. Z l. Chapin, John
Ssydcr and Johu Wilson, Jr. Promi.
nently before this body at its first regu.
lar meeting. held at DR.. r w. Dailey's,
Nov. l4.h, 1876, were Miss Anaie Co
veil, j. NJ. Snyder, Esq, and John VII.
son, Jr.. whose reading only tended TO
the instruction and eGifcation OF the
mcmbership-Mis Covell, by her all
niFable rendition Of Tennyson's "May
Queen" not only elicited the highest en-
comiums OF the audience, but brought a.
bout q degree OF composure & thought
that few minutes previous had not been
dreamed Of But this calm is soon
transformed into storm OF laughter IS
the Hon. J. NJ. Snyder, in bis Admirable
PRESERVATION OF a lawyer, brings viYidly
| before Us the tricks Attendant uDol Law
practice. The scene is again shifted
ana John Wilson, Jr., in ali his youth
iulness appears before us, bringing with
him that loyo!icst OF poems, setting forth
"lhs gift that IS mos; dear to Heaven"
But Johns presentation Of Paradise nd
the Peri was 'too ut,orly utter" Time
iosDids that We should touch upon I /!
tbe memorable Occurrences in this q - :;
and as We glide DOM its history we
find ourselves deprived oil msny OF our
bright aud shining lights. Some (no,
ALL entering the matrimonial world
others passing beyond the limits OF our
jurisdiction and becoming ornaments 10
society AID energjzing the business
world
we also Gni frequent additions 30 our
ranks 10 the persons Of the timid maid,
ems just budding into xcirauhood. 90
well as the uusophi,ticated iaddies up
on tie verge o. menhool, both alike De.
string iDtercours, with the standard
bearer In order 10 that freedom OF speech
ard ease OF manner SO desirable A
mong those ab5eat from Us who have
inquired consp!cuously IN the Cin0's his
tofy so mention, Mrs Col. Roht. White
Misses l. & g. Wilson, J. Goldman, Lee
AGgan, Susie Allen, Mamie Miller, I'll.
he Ncrn, blanche Harrison, laura Stri.
der and MiIired Fletcher The simple
mention OF the las. name cannot fail to
recall her stately person AMI wOmanly
inodeety as cue stood before as, and
without any AIM 1T ostenlaiion rendered
30 unsteady "Ihe B.ils' by poc--and
vino, despite tie bowling og That winter
storm failed 10 hear tho forests echo
the name OF MinpehIha NOR would we
feel satisfied did We laji - refer TO shat
one who bore 20 molly the burden and
beat OF tie battle, and whose produc-
lions % Secretary vii! bo preserved rs
master pieces OF Literature, aud to-day
Miss Paxton lives and will ever hyc in
tse memory Of this Club. AuIreed e
rccur TO Ferguson, Reid, Graham
Ott. Parsons Campbell aad Dydo- go
They ere not forgotten -.na whjis. H.y
aro gone, tbs.r Deeds % gal,anly and
acts OF courtesy arc still remembered