Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-02-03
MRS. WARDEN'S CLUB.

1oung and beautiful Mrs. Warden vas hack
on her visit to her far Eastern home. For IS
long months she lived, or existed. "a she
phrased 1t, in the small western town to which
as bride she had gone Her friends all
pltied her and she pitied herself that
so much youth, beauty and accom-
piishInents were wasted on the unapprecia-
tive air of J0nesville on the line of the A. q.
railroad. Yet it could not well be helped
Her husband was prominent railroad official.
and. "a superintendent OF new branch of a
great railroad, he was obliged to be stationed at
one of the termini OF his division, and Jonesyile
was the place
When Mrs. Warden opened her trunks and
shook out her almost untouched wedding
dresses. she discovered that they were some
what out of fashion
Ii utter folly for any one going to live in
the far west to take such a wardrobe as this
there. she sad. = Imagine my going calling in
!oi eaviiie with these dresses on Imagine how
! cauGht these laces and ruffes and fringes on
Tie UNISON weeds and shaggy sidewalks of the
place"
How do you ever manage to exist 2" was the
sympathetic inquiry of one of her friends. IS Is
there any society there at all ~
There are some really nice and intelligent
people there. believe. but know very little of
them They generally live in a very small wav;
many OF the women do their own work and be-
yond returning the calls when first went there
j know very little about them We have our
suite OF rUoins ut the hotel. and are very COM
Portable ourselves, but | spend my time mostly in
Reading and drawing or with my music and can
assure you it gets very monotonous and lone
some.
Mary, think you. perhaps make a great
mistake both for your own happiness and that
OF others. by living in that way 1t was kind
hearted and phanthrophic Aunt Mary, for
whom Mrs. Warden was named and tn whose
extensive property Mrs. Warden was heir that
spoke.
Mrs. Warden and her one or two girl COM
panons turned with surprise toward the
speaker.
why. Aunt Mary. what would you have me
do' You know l am not the least bit in the
world inclined to be piOus or a missionary.
"hat SUGGESTION have you to make as to my
mode of life!'
lyon ought to minsle with and take an in
terest in the people of the town. You have
means and leisure. Doubtless there are many
young peorle. many busy and careworn women
in that little town to whom you could be con-
stant messenger OF good if You tried"
" How3 In what way?"
well. you sing and play beautifully. Do you
give any of those people the opportunity of
hearing your
NO, never"
You read beautifully: your mind is cult
waited and stored with knowledge. Do you ever
try TO share these requirements with your
young neighbOrs, perhaps less favored than
you?"
Il never thought of such a thing"
Would your husband Object?"
No; he would only be too delighted to have
me take an interest in any thing in Jonesyille
1t is constant grief to him that am so isO-
lated and have no amuSements"
well now mvuear. when you 90 back take
my advice and associate yourself more with the
people: try to do them good; try to interest
yourself and them in some kind of social epioy-
ment and life. My word for it, you will soon
learn to enjoy it,"
Aunt Mary's words made an impression on
Mrs Warden's mind. although her ideas were very
vague as to how she could carry ont her aunts
suggestions. Nevertheless. in all the social
pleasures which she so richly enjoyed during her
visit. she kept asking herself whether any of
these could be introduced at Jonesville. She
felt sure that kettle drums" and sOirees.
musicales and other entertainments would he
mpracticabie on account of small houses and
lack of sufficient musica! cultivation among the
people. But when one afternoon she went with
one OF her friends to the meeting of wOmans
literary club, and the next week attended an
evening reception given by the club, to which
gentlemen were invited; when she saw a social
institution which had for basis intellectual
cOmpanionship only. in which neither fashion,
able dress nor costly and elaborate refresh
ments were essentiai-sne began to wonder
whether or no such social institution could
be introduced at JOnesyille, thereby breaking
the mOnOtOny of life and giving the people
something to think about.
The idea grew upon her as she thought over
1t, and she was surprised to find when the time
came for her to return that her plan of organ
lzing club 40 filled her fancy that she was even
eager to start. On the way she told her hus-
band OF her plan. and as is not unusual with
husbands when wives present projects. he saw
great many difficulties in the way which. with
out meaning particularly to discourage her. he
Iaughlngly enumerated
$50 you mean to enlist the bright women and
leave out the stupid ones? You'll have the
Whole town about your ears, for that would
require you to include Miss Phelps the mil
liner, and exclude Mrs. Halter, the bankers
wife"
II shan't exclude Mrs. Halter. but shall in
clude Miss Phelps. She is one of the most in
telllgent and best-mannered ladies in Jones'
vile. am going to put In practice the theory
! have always held. that those who work for a
living are just as good as those who do nothing.
] rather fancy my position is such that / can do
as please, socially" and Mrs. Warden straight
ened herself up little and looked proudly at
her husband.
At one point in their journey connecting
train brought quite an accession of passengers
among them gentleman with whom Mr. War
den seemed to be well acquainted and on most
friendly terms. He was accompanied by his
newly made wife, pleasant looking neatly
uIcSseu iauy, ana 'neV were returning from their
wedding trip. Mr. Warden introduced Mr.. and
Mrs. Harmon to his wife ana then he and his
friend betOOk themselves to the smoking car
Observing that the lady had in her hand q
volume of Schiller's poems in the original, Mrs.
Warden asked her II she read German. and
learned that the lady was German by birth.
although she spoke without the slightest &C
cent
Their conversation turned upon German lit
erature and poetry, and when at the end of an
hour Mr.. Warden returned his wife told him
what a pleasant acquaintance she had formed.
and what valuable member to the club Mrs.
Harmon would make.
Il am glad to hear you are pleased with Mrs.
Harmon" said Mr. Warden. 81 understand
there was great deal of talk at Jonesville
about Mr.. Harmon marrying her. 1t has all be-
come public sinceyOu went east. Mr.. Harmon
is very wealthy, you know, and one of the most
influential men at Jonesville, but has been con-
sidered q most confirmed bachelor This lady
came to JOnesville about year ago with the
family Of Mr.. HarmOn's brother, as a sort of
nursery gOverness for their children The
brothers wife died. and for some time afterward
the whole care ofthe family was given over to
Marie Bergleman, now Mrs. Harmon. Nobody
1t seems had ever noticed her much and she
had no associates in the town, when it suddenly
became known that Mr.. James Harmon was 60
mo Tn marry hia hrOfhorsa houooLoouor Csnn>