The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1891-02-11

Jou VIII pc tlln ana tlred and SallOw,
with chronic head and backache, al
ways staying in the house, unable to
walk or enjoy any thing out of doors;
never reading, but engrossed and wor-
ried for fear you are not as good a
housekeeper as Mrs. Winslow; your
horizon bounded by dishcloth, a
broom and a needle Oh, Mamie! YOU
are too good and sweet and clever to
become mere machiner'
There was little silence; then Mrs.
Mamie spoke, and her voice was little
husky, yet there was new ring in
it, as if she would look beyond her
world that was growing so narrow.
"What would you have me do? There
is no library in town-this is only a
little New England village-and don't
believe there are women enough here
who would take interest enough to
form a magazine club
Have you ever tried?" asked Ger
trude.
No" Mrs. Mamie hesitated.
''Well, l have a plan. At the end OF
the week l will tell it to you, if it sue
| ceeds, and you must agree to the con-
ditions?"
And so the matter was left.
When Saturday night came and the
work had all been done, and baby May
was sound asleep, Gertrude drew Mrs.
Mamie down on the sofa beside her,
took paper from her pocket and said:
GLOW would you like reading -room?"
Mrs. Nannie's eyes grew bright.
swell, you may have one. have hired
that room over Mr.. Browns store. It
used to be Mrs. Jacksons dress-making
rooms. Well, have hired it for year
that is my share. Oh, never mind, it
wasn't much. Well, here are nearly
fifty names; they represent twenty
families, and each. person pledges only
one dollar apiece, which makes fifty
dollars, for papers and periodicals.
You can select what you wish-prob-
ably daily or two; the leading maya
zines-an art magazine, book review,
juveniles for the young, and whatever
else you wish, for there will be a few
more dollars added yet. have been to
DR.. Moore, ard he has kindly offered to
have the floor painted. Mrs. Williams
has given her old drugget for a large
rug; Mr.. Barnes has sent over several
pictures, and GONE of the young people
are going to put up red Canton flannel
draperies at the windows, and others
are to donate chairs and tables The
room will be very cozy and attractive.
Every thing will be in working order
by the first of October"
''This is like a fairy story! You are
witch, believe. No one else could
have ever opened these purses"
"People seemed very willing, after
the first hesitation, of course. 1t all
will not cost them more than two dol
lars apiece for the year-wood and
lights, you know, included. Any way,
it is a good experiment to try. l should
advise you to form club, and meet al
least once a week; then the library car
be kept open two or three hours each
afternoon and evening. You can al
take turns, you know, if it is necessary
to have some one there"
''It is perfectly lovely!' exclaimed
Mrs. Mamie, unable to say more.
The next summer Gertrude came t.
visit her cousin, and though, of course
she had heard about the success of he
! little literary undertaking, she wa
glad to see for herself how much goo,
had been done.
eve could not get along without It'll!
' said Mrs. Mamie. "Why, we hav
something to think about besides our
selves and each other. We know wha
, is going on in the world, and it ha
! given us new interest in life. Then
too, we grow more social; / think yo
will see that the people are very muc
improved. Everybody is so kind. w
have had books given us. We found w
needed cyclopedia for reference. an
when Mr.. Silnms, the clergyman
bought new Britannica, he gave u
his old set. And he is such a help t
, us. We have regular class in I'm
!, versal Literature, and Political Science
9 too; Mr.. Simms teaches us. We wome
are learning great deal about on
;, country, and I think the voters ar
growing little wiser. The boys ar
better behaved and more polished, an
, the girls more cultivated. We marie
:, people do what we can; then it is s
pleasant to get out together. We hay
something to talk about besides boz
!, nets, pies and the baby's last tooth,
laughed Mrs. Mamie.
r "And you can slight Homework
o little?" questioned Gertrude mischie'
1 ously, then added: "Why, you look g
young as you did when you were frs
4 Observation-Disclosures, too"
$50 Harry tells me-" blushed Mr.
Mamie. 81 manage to walk itt]
d every day, too. agree with you, the,
u is nothing like fresh air and sunligh
t Harry has me use dumb-bells and Ii
d dian clubs, and now is going to put u
e some chest-weights. used to say tn;
It had all the gymnastics wanted wit
# a broom and wash-board-but bool
O broaden one sot'
s. Gertrude refrained from saying:
}; told you so!'
t 81 think the men like it immensel,
e Instead of getting off by themselvt
T. and smoking in some store, they alwaJ
/ find companionship at the club-roon
It and we are not intellectual enough yet
It brighten them. How narrow we wei
u growing, until you came here, like
good Samaritan, and led us in the rigl