The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-08-22
A VISIT TO FRIENDS MEETING.

kiloW WIN, vi VlSlt one pleasant Ouilttay.
to Friends Meeting in Baltimore II is as
good as a story.
Thee never has been to Friends Meet
ing? Then thee must go over to Baltimore
and go with me next First Day Perhaps
Friend Mary Ames will speak, and then
thee will have treat.
So said Friend Anne Bascome, as she took
off her plain bonnet, and smoothed her plain
handkerchief, and composed her plain but
sweet countenance.
But, my dear friend, " said I, 81 should
be obliged to go in the worlds costume
rufaes, panicrs and all. Shall be allowed
to enter the sanctuary in that profane style,
or must | don some Quaker bonnet and
gown of most immaculate gray?"
Don't thee say Quaker, my friend, y
said Anne Bascome, settling herself in the
depths of a luxuriant velvet easy chair
and l notice Friends are partial to soft
cushions-''it is term of reproach among
my people. Thee need have no fear if thee
goes with me. And besides, many de-
generate sons and daughters of Friends
have adopted worldly fashions though they
still hold to their birthright.'
''Then it is settled I'll 90 with thee,
Friend Anne, to Baltimore Friends meet
ing, and hope it will do me good
at is hoped it may do thee no harm, :"
said Friend Anne, quietly.
Who Inac of lilra Epian1D naar
sweet, gray birds, with their faultless, I'M
ruff1ed plunage, dealing so gently with the
young, bearing their testimony among the
world-hardened and unbelieving.
Saturday night saw me in Baltimore;
Sunday morning, or First Day, saw me on
my way to the Westinghouse in Lombard
street. dressed in a becoming drab walking
suit made by the most fashionable dress
maker in Washington, and plain, in spite
of its elaborate trimming in satin, ruffles
and folds.
''Thee does not look very unlike Friend
myself" said Anne Bascome, just before
put my bonnet on. That with its lunches
of daisies and bright ribbons, dispelled the
illusion.
Friends meeting house in Lombard
street, sets back from the curb some
twenty feet or more. A high, primitive
fence, from which three gates open, is the
first intimation of the place. We were
early, so we sent the carriage home and
stood in the shade of some grand old trees,
for awhile.
An evil genius soon presented itself in
the shape of a fluttering, beribboned girl, a
rainbow of color from head to HEELS she took
me by the hand on the strength of slight
acquaintance at some watering place, and
shocked Friend Anne beyond measure, by
darling at my veil and kissing me in the
street.
what are you standing here for?" she
asked.
Il am going to Friends Meeting"
'Oh, the Quakers"' exclaimed Fly-a-way
in her loudest tones l dote on Quakers,
and I'm dying TO go to Quaker meeting.
Do take me in with you
II am here by the courtesy of my friend
Anne, ~ said, very much ashamed; 'sand'' =
''Thy friend is very welcome" said
Anne; and knew that her speech was a
modification of the flesh, for anything
more worldly, more gorgeous in it's get up
from the three-storied feather-tuttering hat,
to the great rosettes on her small feet, am
bound to say the good Friend never saw,
inside or outside of meeting house.
Thanks! how kind you are!" said the
Butterfly, and then went on to entertain
me with u description of the last ball she
had attended, for which could have boxed
her ears with right good will, for she
varied it with queries of ''Had seen Tom,
lately; or Harry, or the old colonel, and
when was going to be Mrs.--?? and
wouldn't l invite her to the wedding?'
Now | am only seventeen, and have had
my busy life. There's six years bridge,
at present, between Inc and that important
state, and | must confess | WINGED under
Miss Annes astonished stare; while, it
DcliiS ouLudy, anu inc CicatuiS uotciiy
unimpressible, and standing in the peace
full shadow of Friends meeting house, |
did not utter the sharp words that We're
fighting for an outlet under my placid
bodice.
''Mercy on usn' cried Butterfly, ''the
gates are opened" How longed to ask her
if she thought that she could behave her
self. doubted her capacity for silence.
knew she would twirl her parasol,
play with her ring, dangle her watch chain
and make her boots creak, but trusting to
friendly Providence, | followed Anne up
the aisle, where, to my distress, she took a
seat under the ministers gallery and fac
ing the whole audience.
II like this, whispered Butterfly, set
ting all her bangles to tluttering. OF
course she did. To be seen was her end of
life; to be admired her only aim.
1t being some time before service, | felt
at liberty to use my eyes, and did so when
could without being annoyed by Butter
fly.
What strange, quiet, unchurchly place
it seemed! A large, cheerful, but rather
bare interior, divided down what We call