Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-02-03

Two days before the time named In the invita-
| tions, Mrs. Warden received q joint cali from
Mrs, Halter, the bankers wife, and the wife OF
one of the principal building contractors Of the
woman, who never for one instant,
and Mrs. Jones, the contractors
wife was little, thin, fldgety woman, whose
| one sole anxiety was to get her family into the
best society and conceal the fact that her hus-
band had once been carpenter. Both of the
ladies had been included by Mrs. Warden in her
invitations, inasmuch as they represented fami-
lies and interests which she would not wish to
ignore Both ladies, however, seemed some
what embarrassed. as they had called On par
| ticular GRAND, and that they hoped Mrs. War
den would excuse them If they seemed to med
die, but really they thought she ought to know
some things which, perhaps, she did not
Mrs. Warden was all attention.
We heard that you had invited Mrs Harmon
to the meeting tomorrow. Perhaps it isn't
true"
at is true. I have invited Mrs Harmon Why
should not?'
" Did you know that none Of the young ladies
of the town have ever called on her?'
= have called on her. Pray, why do they
not call?'
Why, didn't you know? She was nothing
but a hired hOusekeeper at Mr. Harmon's
brothers. We all consider it perfectly outra-
geous the way she inveigled him into marrying
hei- we are SURE tilat IL IL was really known
that Mrs. Harmon was invited, many of the
ladies would not come"
Mrs. Narden'S color was crimson in moment.
Ladies'" she said, 81 formed Mrs Harmon's
acquaintance on my way back from the east
knew nothing of her before, but found her an
intelligent well-bred lady. 1t makes no differ
ence to me what her occupation has been. so
long as it was an honest one. shall certainly
show her the courtesy and kindness due to in
telligence and good sense everywhere, and al
ways accorded by honorable people. In my
plans Tor social and literary club have inclu-
ded Intelligence wherever l have been able to
lind it. If any ladies whom have invited see
ut to object that is their privilege"
1t was observed that Mrs. Halter and Mrs.
Jones made several calls after leaving the par
lors of Mrs. Warden that afternoon. The
intended errand of the ladies had been known
to good many who were anxious to know the
result. BY evening it was generally known
through the town that Mrs. Warden was going
to stand by Mrs. Harmon. It was also known
that Miss Phelps. the milliner, and Miss May,
the telegraph operator, and Miss Wood the
saleswOman in the principal store of the town,
had been invited.
'Such an outrageous and high-handed at
tempt to force the acquaintance of those people
on US never heard, was Mrs. Jones' comment
TO her husband that evening; but I suppose
Mrs. Warden thinks she can do anything be-
cause her husband is rich and holds such high
position on the railroad. If I had nv way we
would all combine and put her down. I'd show
her If she could force the society of such people
on me-
The next day strange thing happened. Mrs.
Harmon had more than a dozen calls The
ladies who called generally came singly and
seemed surprised and confused at meeting
other callers. All were protuse in their apologies
Tor not having called before. Mrs. Harmon had
the good sense not to appear. at all surprised.
nor could she surmise what had started this
sudden stream of social attention. The ladies
all spoke of expecting to meet her at Mrs War
den's parlOrs the next afternoon, and hoped to
know her better. -......- ......
But the surprise of the ladies of Jonesville
was only complete when, after the meeting had
been called to order and its objects explained,
Mrs. Warden said that part of the entertain
nent OF the afternoon. paper on the life of
Schiller would be read by Mrs. Harmon. Before
the paper was concluded the majority of the
listeners were wondering who in the company
could write another paper as good. They
seemed to realize that a new standard had been
set up among them. and when in the organic
alton OF the club Mrs. Harmon was chosen vice
president and Miss Phelps was made secretary
all joined with hearty good will in accounting
the fact that brains, intelligence and good sense
were to be the basis of distinction in Mrs. War
dens club.
1t is more than three years now since Mrs
warden organized her club. and it has been ever
since the great social institution and educator
of the people of JOnesyille. By the terms of
admission any lady whose intelligence would
enable her to add something to the intellectual
resources of the club was eligible to election as
member. Many young girl was stimulated
to intellectual culture or to the study of music
or to extensive and careful reading in order that
she might be able to present some claims for ad-
mission. The members of the club were divided
into special committees on music, literature
amusements, etc, and each committee Wed with
the rest in providing for the interest and prog
ress of the club.
Mrs. Warden's splendid musical gifts were
brought into requisitiOn and her committee
which was the one ON music. was the means of
eevatng the musical taste of the whole town.
The evening receptions given by the club once
month brought together the rich and poor. the
employers and employed, On the one common
basis of intelligence and good manners. To
these evening receptions gentlemen, both mar
red and single. were invited, the club being
made up OF both married women and Young
girls. The only line drawn In regard to inyi-
fatons to young gentlemen was that no one
who was known to be fast, or prOfane or intem-
perate could come within the charmed circle
while honesty and intelligence were ever vel
come, Music, the reading of essays, discus
siOns. readings and recitatiOns were among the
entertainments provided. And now as Mrs.
Warden once more cOntemplates making long
visit to her far eastern home. one of the
pleasures she anticipates is that of telling Aunt
Mary of all the delightful times they have ac-
complished in her literary and social club at
JOnesville.