Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-09-24
OF A NEW DEPARTURE
OLIVE THo6NE MILLER WRITES or
COOPERATION AMONG WOMEN.

aud wsnsn's Societies. Wsmsa's Re
ssptss.s ssd Uaass's Teas-wsnss
shsald Help oas Assslss
lCopyrizhs 1871. % American Press Assoes2~
tioR.i
The modern changes in the ways OF
women have opened 10 them heretofore
unsupported delight. which gives fresh
attractions 10 bota work and pIay-the
pleasure Of social life among themselves.
% greatly indeed have customs modi-
fed within 4 few years that think il i
safe To say At the present moment that
women's most heartily enjoyed social
gatherings are with one another.
This Is quite a. it should be 500. We
know that our brothers ike best some
times 10 be without Us: il is exceedingly
desirable that we should do the same.
The charm Of being together is bright
snsd BY each Sex having its own separate
good times. and the self respect result
ing from independence-eyen In the
matter OF social intereourse-is quality
well worth ccltivating. Moreover, is it
not something 10 live down one more Of
the old taunts wont 20 be flung AZ Us
that We can never enjoy ourselves alones
Ia no way that l have seen do
women Of the cities have better times
than In their daylight gatherings. at
hours when, as rule. every man is alb
sorbed In study. Office or place of bust
ness. Tie o'clock tea, with its fra
grant ard cheering cup. its pleasing ef-
feet Of lovely rooms, soft lights, fresh
flowers and tea gowns. which are IN
themselves pictures, is an occasion alto
gether delightful and erninently woman
ly. The reception also. with its con-
slant succession of guests for two or
tnrre hours. where one may meet her
friends and enjoy all the pleasure with
none OF tho fatigue and stupidity of
round OF calls, Is OF the same order.
Most delightful, however. OF the mod
ern woman's paths OF pleasantness is
that known as the ladies luncheon.
The person who has never taken part in
one Of those delectable entertainments
does not suspect what she has missed,
neither can sne imagine the good times
a party of ladies' have over so matter of
fact thing Is a luncheon. Nor does its
fascination depend upon its size. 1t
may DO a private affair, with no more
than six guests. or-with equal satisfac-
ton-it may be woman's CLUB luncheon
with 300. 1t is sure in either case 10 be
lively. sparkling with brilliant speech
and witty repartee. Ii is sure likewise
TO present an attractive picture, with
dainty dress, beautiful tables and lavish
flowers. 1t is more homogeneous than q
mixed assembly. In fact, there is an
enthusiasm, a sympathy and magnetism
about woIaan's gathering that makes
1t truly inspiring.
IL an entertainment Of this sort Is
large all sorts of tastes may enjoy it; but
If it Is small party. in private house,
the company should be carefully selected,
for the conversation will b., general,
and what would please literary and
artistic persons would bore those who
care only for society, and vice versa. The
choicest company Is one composed Of
women Of eongenial tastes. For ex-
ample, ut luncheon IN New York last
winter every guest was a writer, either
editor, magazine contributor author or
journalis. Of high rank. All were at
home in tae world of letters, all appre-
ciated the same points and mad some
thing to say On them. Their wits We're
keen AID bright from constant use, and
1 doubt If any one present on that fehci-
tous occasion ever spel't more enjoyable
afternoon.
At another private luncheon in the
same season the guests were composed
of the editors and contributors of n GER
tain publication. They INDUCED in the
luxury of talking shop" to their hearts
content, for ''shop" was matter of vital
interest to all Of them and there was no
uninterested person to be bored by it.
The favors and decorations were delight
fully SLOPPY" and even the ice cream
took the form Of dainty booklets with an
appropriate quotation across the open
pages. That was another altogether in
Irritable affair.
The changed ways that have been con-
sidered are but steps toward the grand
portal which now looms up before
Us Beyond this portal. if we have but
the courage to enter. many thinkers
believe we shall End the solution Of our
more serious domestic problems.
The word over that promising door
wat is cooperation, and the sooner we
learn to work well and tremendously to-
gethes. the sooner we learn self reliance
and self respect, the sooner we recog-
nize that woman-and she alone-can
settle wornan's problems, the more
speedily shall we be- ready to adopt that
IS our watchword, and try honestly and
fairly 10 seeR the universal sisterhood"
be not as potent to advance rs heaven
ward ~ the universal brotherhood" Is
TO advance the race.
The former. indeed. Is . part and sn
indispensable part of the latter, and
little do we realize the importance Of
our work in the matter. Man may do
and die in ths effort. but--believe il or
not. "a he may choose--he cannot adj
vance far until woman keeps step with
him. and woman alone can train herself
10 walk beside her brother in the grand
march Of the race This Is truth we
snail do well to ponder. Everything ia
helping us-clubs. associations. leagues.
societies and all the rest. are training
and developing us with wonderful rs-
pisiisy. Our domestic problemsl How
small they VIII appear when we shall
have passed that portal and hooked back
upon thernl Says Emerson:
Hither We bring
our insect miseries 20 tby rocks.
AID the whole aizht. VITA folded wfng.
N.rtsa as.4 ss.4 ftef~