Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-16
A DAY AT sOROsIs.
A Lady Friend Of the Eagle Among the
the Bright Women OF New York.

New YORK, Oct. 2, 1888.
To the Editor OF the Daily Eagle.
want to write this letter especial,
for the ladies, the dear girls who reaC
the EAGLE; there is not going to be tn
first thing in it to interest the masculin.
mind. make this announcement 81
that no unsuspecting "lord" may be en-
trapped.
When came to New York a few
weeks ago I determined among Other
sights | meant to see to attend meet
ing of Sorosis, if l could ATTAIN an invita-
ton of course. supposed it would be {
much more difficult matter than i
proved to be.
Iwrote letter to Mrs. j. c. Croly
well and popularity known as "Jen
ME June" told her who I wa:
and of my ardent desire to attend Soro
SIS. also told her that l was vice-presi
dent OF a Kansas womans club modelled
after the pattern of Sorosis; perhaps that
was the open sesame to my desires, fol
Jennie June is lobbyist on the subject
| OF organization among women, was the
| first to advocate such a movement over
twenty years ago and has perhaps done
as much or more than any woman living
to open avenues of life and employment
hitherto shut out from all women. AT
any rate received very kind answer,
inviting me to be her guest at the next
meeting, and also at her house the Sun
day evening preceding.
Mrs. Croly's Sunday evening recep-
tions are famous, bringing together a
brilliant array Of celebrities, artistic and
literary, and SO many charming CONVEX
sationalists that it must be a liberal
education to be allowed the pleasure
of frequent attendance. She has two
daughters, both the very picture of
healthy ,home-loving girls who adore their
plays an important part at the Lyceum
known as having been first managing
other editorial and literary work.
In securing invitations to Sorosis guests
names are brought in at a previous meet
ing, and then formal invitation from
the club is sent. Here is copy OF mine:
'Will the representative of the Wichita
KANSAS Woman's club accept the hos
pitality of Sorosis on Monday, the first
of October, at - o'clock? The president
and ladies will extend cordial greeting,
and guests are always invited to aid in
the discussion of the day, which is here
enclosed. This, however, is optional.
No reply Is necessary. Luncheon will
be served at o'clock, and Sorosis is
most happy at the anticipation of break
ing bread with the representative and
vice president of the Wichita Womans
Club. NJ. LOUISE THOMAS,
President.
MAY RILEY SMITH,
Corresponding Secretary.
The question of the day was sepa-
rate card bearing the seal of Sorosis and
printed:
COMMITTEE on Literature. Elizabeth
W. Champney, Chairman.
Resolved, That a conscious moral
purpose is essential to the highest art in
literature"
Monday at quarter past twelve found
me at DelmOnico's, where SoroSis has
continued to meet ever since Its organ
lzation twenty years ago. The gentle
manly official at the elevator beamed
and murmured encouragingly as took
my seat, "Sorosis?" | nodded and was
carried up to the third floor parlors and
received by the door keeper and recep-
ton committee, some of whom met on
the evening before at Mrs. Croly's.
There was pleasant feminine buzz
all over the rooms that reminded me of
my own dear girls at home. Tables were
being laid by the deft French walters in
rooms, and the perfume of
flowers grouped about here and there
delightfully."- with the odor of
oyster pattie and unmentionable French
viands. [ was introduced first to the
president, Mrs. Louise Thomas, who re-
ceived me SO cordially that felt quite at
home. sat at the table at her right
hand Mary Kyle Dallas at her left; Just
at my right was Mrs, Charles
Barnard, a lovely little woman,
wife of the well known writer
Of charming stories of home life
for several of the best magazines of the
day; next to her sat Elizabeth w. Cham
pney, author OF the ''Vassar girl series
Of books as well as several other delight
fully pure publications for girls. She is !
a lovely, spiritual looking woman and |
was as | have said chairman of the COM
mittee who discussed the question of the |
day Mrs. Champney took the lead in
the affirmative; indeed, | don't think
whose books breathe such pure |
sentiments as hers do, could reason from |
the other side, although the negative did |
tine work, mostly by specious reasoning !
and sparkling witticisms.
At half past , o'clock the presidents /
sharp rap of the mailet on marble slab |
engraved Sorosis, called the meeting to /
order, and the secretary read the roll. 1t /
was very interesting to me to |
hear the names of SO many sue
cessful writers, and be afterwards in
TO them. Hester NJ. Poole |
May Riley Smith, whose beautiful poems |
illustrated are the delight of
many home, Mary Kyle Dallas, whose
oungent short articles used to be much
admired when l was young, and who. |
was told, had made fine fortune by her
1en. Mrs. Dallas has the bearing of
duchess, soft pink complexion and snow
white hands, one of the handsomest
women present.
| carried with me card of greeting
rom our Hypatia, which Mrs. Thomas
,ead, introducing the LADY from Kan
as, and requesting flew remarks"
With my heart humping in my throat,
)ut INSPIRED with the spirit OF all lne
women of Kansas, stood up and grace
ully O. bowed my acknowledgment of
he applause that greered me. Just think
If the responsibility, of the repu-
alton | had to sustain. Could
afford 10 let Sorosis think
hat it monopolized all the
yit and wisdom going? Never. Call
ng to my aid all the mental helps know,
he Peerless Princess of the Plains. the
,roud Bird that screams her praises, our
'wn woman's club. with some of the
brightest and best of women. took cour-