The Press., 1891-05-21
w. C. T. U. DEPARTMENT. [Leaf from h1te-Rtbbon Note-Book.1
 THE TEMPERANCE MEETING.


 would have thought the town existed for it's sake. There was little talk of any other theme that day, and it had been up- permost in the gossip of the week. The aisles were just about as full as the seats, and that uncertain sort of crowd in the rear of the hall was dense but orderly.
 Second-As it was.
 A few brave women worked it up; per haps two, at the utmost five. They took the risks with nothing but an empty treas ury to fall back on; wrote the speaker, accepted the terms, secured the hall, frightened it with flags and evergreens, advertised thoroughly and long, spoke cheerily about the meeting to every one whose ear they could mortgage for min- ute; secured the best home in. town. for the lecturer, as final advertisement of the speech; kept all the weaknesses and all the contradictions and all the disa- greeableness thoroughly out of sight; lifted up their hearts to God in prayer and fairly ''mind-cured" the people into com ing.
 Third-What these women said to the speaker.
 They were at the train when she ar rived, each with new white ribbon on her breast. They read the car windows as you would read will to see if you had been remembered by the testator. Their eyes lighted up like stars when the speak CT descended the steps; they grasped her hands, and said, "Oh, we are so glad and grateful that you came, and that you came on time." They were so full of zeal and welcome that they forgot to take her heavy bags out of her not over vigor- ous hands, and walked off cumberless, while she was well-nigh eumbered to the earth. After 8 little, perhaps, some of them would take in the situation and say, "Oh, beg your pardon, let me have that bag, and give me that bundle" As a rule, they seated her in the ladies' waiting room, took her checks and went to hunt her baggage, then escorted her to the omnibus or hack they had in waiting, not infrequently walking up the muddy street themselves, but so sisterly thankful that she was spared the burden.
 Fourth-What they said cf her.
 (G) When they came to the train.
 As they walked on watching the vehicle that soon carried her beyond their sight, Mrs. A. said, "She looked so tired, I'm afraid she won't be up to key" Mrs. B. said, ''I hope they will be ever so good to her where she is entertained" Mrs. c. said, II do hope we can get enough in the collection to pay what we have promised, and that if we do not she will offer to helr us out by taking lesse" rys.... a CD Where she was entertained.
 Hostess meets her at the door, greets her with kindly cordiality, seats her ir the half-lighted parlor, seeming to fea1 lest she might not like to go up stairs and take off her bonnet after she has been on the cars, possibly, thirty-six hours or less. Speaker finally intimates willingness to ascend.
 Hostess. "Oh, indeed, is it possible !? Very we'll, your room is ready"
 Evidently more than ready, for the fire has been on for some time, and the the place is hot as an oven. Hostess de- scends to the bosom of her family and re- marks, "Well, I am glad she has good sense enough to know that her own room is the best place for her instead of sitting down in the parlor and keeping us all dancing attendance with conversation when we have got enough on hand to have the meals ready in good order."
 Co What her auditors said.
 CD To her. Allow me to thank you for the very great treat you gave us this evening"" Another: "I didn't feel able to come, but I am now impressed that ] could, under no circumstances, have felt able to stay away" A third, ''Admira. ble, convincing, masterly; tell you, the saloon-keeper will be black in the face. , Fourth, "You gave double shot to the liquor business in this town" Fifth ''This is the best lecture we have haG since temperance reform arrived in this village"
 CD What they said of her. "Well, she is pretty fair for woman. I declare she has great reputation, but don't quite set where it comes in." Guess she wasn't at her best tonight" "Great cry an6 little wool with these temperance speak ers." "Same old story" "Well, that is what reputation will do for anybody wonder where she got hers? She mus have bought it at the store, for declare there are folks in this town who coult talk every bit as we'll"
 Fifth-What she said to them.
 CD At the train, "Well, I am glad have got here at last. You have been s, kind and cordial and invited me so man, times"
 (2) In the home stIt is most kind o you to receive weary temperancer un der your roof. think you must have { most philanthropic spirit"
 (3) To the audience. "I am greatl. complimented by an attendance so large so cosmopolitan and so intelligent.
 Finally, what she said to herself.
 (0) At the train. "Woe is me! I an so tired from the last time shall never b. . able to come up to these good women' expectations. They look to me as if the. were about worked to death" .E
 CD In the home. Why don't tha good woman let me go straight up to m. room when she must see that I'm almos too tired to stand. The only thing on tn face of the earth that I want is privacy, chance to wash my face, and to lie dow on the bed and rest.
 (c) Of the audience. "That audienc was enough to make anybody fail. The. looked at me as if I were white ele phant; evidently had come from curiosit l and that alone. | only wonder that