The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-12-21
THAT woMAN,s CONGRESS.

THAT WONIAN'S CONGRESS.
A Characteristic Account by u Dele.
gate to the Late!Chicngo Meeting.
Correspondence of the Cincinnati sUommer-
cial Gazette.
Dear Sue:-You knowlI promised to
tell you all about the Woman's Congress,
in which you Hare so interested. and
which we went to Chicago on purpose to
attend-that is did, but ssally wanted
to match some feathers and have her
hair banged. She is dear girl but does
not seem to have the remotest idea about
the higher life, her duty to womanhood
and all that sort of thing, you know.
1t rained the first day. 1t was Just
horrible. Chicago weather certainly
proves that habit ls stronger Ithan prin-
ciple: :or the mercury slid up and down
in the tbermometer, the wind blew
from all points of the compass, .and all
this after we had been promised fair
weather.
We went to drive after breakfast with
Jack, and he would take us out to the
park, although we told him we were un-
der mortal obligation to go to the meet
ing He said he guessed there would be
enough earnest women to carry the
thing through without us. l don't like
to hear Jack adopt that tone. If there
is one thing women ought to do it is to
encourage each other IN the cause, by
their presence at Ieast.
When we got back the meeting had
adjourned, but it did not make much
difference, for it was business meeting
minutes, and reports, and things. I
don't believe you would care much for
them.
In the afternoon we heard a paper
you would have liked 50 much. forget
the title; but it was all about children
and drunkenness and poverty and
They Just love such things. She wore
black dress, and looked so sweet and
noble up there on tue stage When she
said the state ought to interfere, and
women ought to make it their business
to see to it. | felt thrilled to the heart,
and was willing to do anything to help
the good Work. Then there was DIS
cuSsion of the paper that did not hear,
because was trying to remember what
1 had done with Sally's sample of velvet.
That night there was grand banquet
at the Palmer House. l did want to
hear Miss Barton speak on "The work
Of the Red Cross" butt was mpossible.
We had made mp our minds to 90 to the
banquet, and knew that we should be all
tired out and fit for nothing if we tried
for both.
1t was lovely party, and have sent
you the Society Journal, in which there
is a full account.
was glad we had taken evening
dresses with us. 1t was such satisfac-
ton to show the world that woman can
take serious, earnest, view of life and
still pay some attention to her appear
ance.
The next day it rained SO hard that it
really seemed foolish to 60 out. We had
accepted an invitation to lunch, so we
spent the morning getting ready.
We really ought to have declined. but it
seemed a little rude to do that, especial
ly as she said we should go down togeth-
er to the afternoon meeting. Luncheon
was delayed by calls, and there was
baby-a dear little thing-but she just
would not go 70 sleep, and we could not
leave her crying. ! felt really guilty
when we reached the hall and found the
session nearly over. 1t was not very en-
joyable, one can not be interested in the
1t is trying, too, to feel that you are not
living up to the level ofyour friends ex-
pectations. Some Of the ladies seemed 10
think we might have been early if we
had cared to. and made themselves real
ly disagreeable, even after I had ex-
planned how it was. l think really the
great problem is now women shall pro-
portion their time Justly between their
conventional and their higher social du
ties. Next wear I'll present paper on
that subject if you will help me.
do think Jack is lovely. We met
him in barber shop where Sally went
to have her hair banged. He said she
looked like the wreck Of an i'll spent life,
but if she would wear her hat very far
down over her nose he would take us
some place for supper and see that we
were in time for evening services. l
than women, don't you? l was real
glad he went, for one of the ladies talk
ed SO seriously aud earnestly about SOW
ing wild oats. There were many gentle.
| men present and all looked impressed
wnen she referred to Darwin, or Hux-
ley or Spencer. for you know it takes a
strong mind to read those books.
On Friday morning was the election
OF officers. More than half the ladies
forgot their membership tickets, 'and a
| good deal OF time was taken up making
out new ones. 1t was after eleven be.
| fore the ballots were distributed A list
| of vice presidents and other officers is
| made out by nominating committee
| but each member can scratch any name
and substitute another. There were two
or three would like to have changed
but did not have pencil. AS Sally wa.
in a hurry to go for her feathers jus
voted the ticket as it was and left.
| There were some pauers to be reac
that afternoon, and a charming tea at thu
rooms of the Fortnightly, that l wa
awiuily cory to miss, but we decided
hastily to come home with the kinsey
-you know father does not like to hav'
us travel alone.
| feel more and more how importan
it IL for a woman to cultivate her mind
aud have come home with fixed ant
unwavering purpose to elevate my sox
and to cling to the path of duty, no mat
ter how hard it may be to climb.
l Hair is worn high in Chicago.
James 9. Curtis, Tnu pe.ye,i up at tn
Mitchell land ofice dead mans home
stead claim, hns been found guilty, an
will be aentsnsea to teIM In the yen
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