The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-08-16
MISS RECK.
Sayings and Doings of the "Old
Maids Club"

s'GirIs, what can we do to astonish
Che community?"
The question was asked by Florence
henson, after brief interval of silence,
in which five young ladies had been
diligently sewing.
Get married, | suppose said Feari
Davenport, the youngest and prettiest
of che group. II think that would as
bonish folks generally"
Get married, indeed! I wouldn't
marry any man in this town, at all
events" said Nelly West. II went
do~n TO the store last night after some
thread, and had to thread my way
no pun ntended-between two rows of
representative benedicts. There was
Judge Armstrong, with Il pipe as long
as my arm, his yellow hair standing
'oat twenty-four ways for Sunday, and
.EiEouing platitudeS on law to Father
Kelley, who sat astride n barrel of
vinegar, let us hope-listening with
sleepy eyes, and tooth-pick between
mis- lips! There were the Barry's, father
and son, hugging the stove, enveloped
in a thick cloud of cigar-smoke; indeed,
the whole male population seemed to
be there, chatting each other, lounging
against the counters, and looking so
lazy and listless, while their wives were
working at home like beavers, I'll be
bound. No, thank you," and the girl
shook her head with humorous decision.
You were the one to suggest the
matter" said comely, dark-eyed girl,
pausing in perpleXity over an unfinished
51ttOnhoie, and surveying it with a
-s,oniical look of Distress $50 you must
invent the something that is going to
asUonish this slow-going town. l know
GRe thing, the poor children Of this par
isd should A6rtr wear buttons, if | could
help it"
why, what would you substitute?"
E.slxed Florence Benson.
Strings, everywhere" was the i'm
patient reply.
And then bag with a string to put
tI'en in, poor little things' said Miss
henson. Here, give it over to me:
1tGe TO make them. But, as / was say
SIG, hope we none of us really care to
marry just now. What say you, Ada
ETmphries. I'm going TO take the
-ssnse of the meeting, as Elder Doddy
p1ts it. You are to be a doctor, and
saesd every minute of your time to study
aszsa6omy and medicine. Nelly West
ysoar ambition points to art, and the
faint hope of having picture hung on
-sse line sc the academy someday in the
near-or far future. Pearl Davenport
you have had several stories accepted
hy tho magazine, and what is better,
igzSa for We look to you for the forth
Solgaaing great American novel. You,
s]kss Beck, having kept the 'de-stric
sGaool for nearly five years, it would be
,zl5ser stupidity in you to allow any one
Siae 60 take your place, for we all know
-tAaaE teachers, like poets, are born, not
aEasde- Besides, you are the Oldest, and
at Che ripe age of twenty-five you sure
Ay ought to be able to advise u.s. Now,
girls, l will present my scheme, and
please don't faint, any of you. | pro-
ieose that we form an old maids club"
-'Well, that is original, and rather re-
Kreshing," said Pearl Davenport, arch
ing her pretty eyebrows till they met
tine fluffy bangs of yellow hair that
carried naturally and becomingly over
aer white forehead.
Il like the idea," said Nelly West
81. will prove to the people that we
have distinct purpose in life, that of
>aaaiifying ourselves for especial fields
OF usefulness"
What shall we do at the club?"
asked Ada Humphries.
''Tbat is an after consideration, said
the f1rst speaker laughing. "There are
some things we won't do. We won't
compare love-letters anyway, or talk
EbOat our neighbors any more than is
necessary for their good, nor slander
the thorrid men. We can determine on
our plans for the future, read, recite,
sing and have good time generally, all
10 ourselves / don't suppose we shall
have many new members, but we don't
'sase for that We will pledge ourselves
% each other, as the ladies famous in
history, Lady Emily Butler and Miss
Sarah Ponsonby, did. At all events,
yEe can promise that we won't be mar
ried for year, and at the end of that
time renew the pledge, IL practicable"
-tI'm agreed" said Miss Beck, show
Hng small, uneven teeth as she spoke.
~ hope you don't think | would burden
any man with such bundle of ailments
and nerves as am, and Im only wait
fng for Ada Humphries to come out a
fnii'aedsod doctor With diploma 10