Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-02-05

it, as Il 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 magazine club"
''Have you ever tried?" asked Ger
trude.
mo" Mrs. Mamie hesitated.
well, I have plan. At the end Of
the week 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:
'How would you like a reading-room?"
Mrs Nannie's eyes grew bright
well, you may have one. Ihave hired
that room over Mr.. Browns store. 1t
used to be Mrs. Jackson's dress-making
rooms. Well, have hired it for a year
that is my share. Oh, never mind, it
wasn't much Well, here are nearly
nifty namesi 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. 1 have been to
DR.. Moore, and he has kindly offered to
have the floor painted Mrs. Williams
has given her old drugget for large
rug; Mr.. Barnes has sent over several
pictures, and some 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 win be very coy and attractive.
Every thing will be in working order
by the first OF October"
This is like fairy story You are
a 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 good experiment to try. should
advise you to form a club, and meet at
least once. a week; then the library can
be kept open two or three hours each
afternoon and evening. You can all
take Turns, you know, If it is necessary
to have some one there"
at is perfectly lovelyr' exclaimed
Mrs. Mamie, unable to say more.
The next summer Gertrude came to
visit her cousin, and though, of course,
she had heard about the success of her
little literary undertaking, she was
glad to see for herself how much good
had been done.
1--WE could not get along without it!'
said Mrs. Mamie. "Vhy, we have
something to think about besides our
selves and each other. We know what
is going on in the world, and it has
given us a new interest in life. Then,
too, we grow more social; think you
will see that the people are very much
improved. Everybody is so kind We
have had books given us. We found we
needed cyclopedia for reference, and
when Mr.. Simms, the clergyman,
bought a new Britannica, he gave us
his old set. And he is such a help to
US. We have a regular class in Uni
versal Literature, and Political Science,
too; Mr.. Simms teaches US. We women
are learning a great deal about our
country, and l think the voters are
growing a little wiser. The boys are
better behaved and more polished, and
the girls more cultivated. We married
people do what we can; then it is so
pleasant to get out together. We have
something to talk about besides bon
nets, pies and the baby's last tooth"
laughed Mrs Mamie.
"And you can slight homework a
little?" questioned Gertrude mischiev-
ously, then added: ''Why, you look as
young as you did when you were first
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., toor'
$50 Harry tells me-" blushed Mrs.
Mamie. 81 manage to walk little
every day, too. agree with you, there
is nothing like fresh air and sunlight.
Harry has me use dumb-bells and In
dian clubs, and now is going to put up
some chest-weights. used to say that
1 had all the gymnastics wanted with
a broom and wash-board-but books
broaden one sou
Gertrude refrained from saying: ST
told you SOP
81 think the men like it immensely.
Instead of getting off by themselves
and smoking in some store, they always
find companionship at the club-room,
and we are not intellectual enough yet to |
brighten them. How narrow we were |
growing, until you came here, like
good Samaritan, and led us in the right |
direction"
at is deplorable, =" admitted Gertrude,
''to know how provincial villagers often
become, and it is SO unnecessary. !
know that individuals can not always
buy books nor subscribe for magazines,
but on this mutual benefit plan great
deal can be accomplished with very lit
tie expense"
81 am going to write about itr' ex-
claimed Mrs. Mamie. 81 presume there
are hundreds of villagers just as be-
nighted as we were. Why, we could
not lire without our reading-room; and
more than that, we have learned how to
work without becoming slaves, or jaded,
faded old ,eomen. Mrs. Merry, in
Good Housekeeping.
The Wife-'I leave your roof to-