The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1890-08-14
MISS BECK.
Sayings and Doings of the "Old
=. Maids Club"

Tho community"
The question was asked by Florence
Benson, after brief interval of silence,
IN which five young ladies had been
diligently sewing.
Get married, suppose" said Pearl
davenport. the youngest and prettiest
OF the group: II think that would as
tonish folks generally"
''Get married, indeed! I wouldn't
marry any man in this town, at all
events" said Nelly West II went
down 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 pipe as long
~ my arm, his yellow hair standing
out twenty-four ways for Sunday, and
droning platitudes on law to Father
Kelley, who sat astride a barefoot
vinegar. let US hope-listening with
sleepy eyes. and tooth-pick between
his lips! There were the Barry's, father
and son, hugging the stove, enveloped
in thick cloud of cigar-smoke; indeed,
the whole male population seemed to
be there, chatting each other, Longing
against the counters, and looking 80
lazy and ltstless, while their wives were
working at home like beavers, I'll be
bound. No, thank you," and the girl
her head with humorous decision.
> You were the one to suggest the
matter;;s said q comedy, dark-eyed girl,
pausing in perplexity over an unfinished
buttonhole, and surveying it with
comical look OF distress, 80 you must
Invent the something that is going to
astonish this slow-going town. know
one thing, the poor children of this par
1sh should necer wear buttons, If could
help it,"
''Why, what would you substituted"
asked Florence Benson.
= Strings, everywhere" was the i'm
patient reply.
'And then bag with string to put
? them in, poor little things!'' said Miss
Benson. Here, give it over to me;
like to make, them. But, as was saw
Ing. l hope we none of US really care to
marry just now. What say you, Ada
HUMPHREYS? I'm going to take the
sense of the meeting,' as Elder Doddy
puts 1t: You are to- be a doctor, and
need every minute of your time to study
anatomy and medicine. Nelly West,
your ambition points to art, and the
faint hope of having a picture hung on
the line at the academy some day in the
near-Qr,f4t future. Pearl Davenport,
you ha1e had several stories accepted
by the magazine, xnd what is better,
paid for: We look toy lcs the forth.
coming great American novel. Iou,
Miss Bea|saihavings KEEP tthe 'de-stric'
school for nearly five years, it would be
sheer stupidity in you to allow any one,
else to take your place, for we all know
that teachers, like poets, are born, not
made. Besides, you are the Oldest and
at the ripe age of twenty-five you sure
~ ought to be able to advise us. Now,
girls, will present my scheme, and
please don't faint, any of you. 1 pro-
pose that we form an old maids club"
''Well, that is original, and rather re-
fresh1ng," said Pearl Davenport, arch
ing her pretty eyebrows till they met
tho fluffy bangs of yellow hair that
curled naturally and becomingly over
her white forehead.
II like the idea," said Nelly West
III will prove to the people that We
have distinct purpose in life, that Of
qualifying ourselves for especial fields
OF usefulness" -
''What shall we do at the club?''
asked Ada HUMPHREYS.
THAT is an after consideration, said
the first speaker, laughing. "There are
some things we won't do. We won't
compare love-letters, anyway, or talk
about our neighbors any more than is
accessory for their good, nor SANDER
the 'horrid' men: We can determine on
our plans for the future, read, recite,
sing and have good time generally, all
to ourselves. l don't suppose we shall
have many new members, but we don't
care for that. We will pledge ourselves
to each other, as the ladies famous in
history. Lady Emily Butler and Miss
Sarah Ponsonby, did. At all events,
we can promise that we won't be mar
ried for year, and at the end of that
time renew the pledge, if practica ble."
I'm agreed" said. Miss Beck, show
ing small, uneven teeth as she spoke.
II hope you don't think would burden
any man with such bundle of ailments
and nerves as am, and I'm only watt
ing for Ada HUMPHREYS to come out a
full'hedged doctor With . diploma to
put myself into her hands. when she
may kill or cure me, l don't much care
which,"
''well, girls" said Ada HUMPHREYS,
the doctor-to-be. III you are waiting for
my verdict like the idea very much.
" course people will talk. but if IN
dorstand Alright, we none Of US care for
mat % tho community is waiting to be
sssonl"hed. We settled all about peo-
Pc n general, and Miss Namely in par
ncn'as. some time ago. give my vote
In favor OF the club. We all intend to
cot the rlvor on fre-that is if grass ever
grows In it. and don't know vhv wa
should not have q distinctive societv
with taking name. We can reform the