The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-10-22
In WOMAN'S BEHALF.
A NOTABLE woMAN's CLUB.

In WOMAN'S BEHALF.
A NOTABLE WOMAN's CLUB.
Description Of One in brooklyn That II Do
ing Much Good.
On every alternate Monday afternoon
from October to June noble army OF
women take possession of the parlors
of No. SO Willoughby street Brooklyn.
The old-fashioned building toward
which they flock has mounted guard
for many years on the corner Of Bridge
street, and is one OF the landmarks Of
the vicinity. Long ago, when college
education for women was . myth. and
clubs were legends Of the days of Eliz-
abeth Montague and her famous blue
Stockings this pile of bricks was the
home of the Laurence family. II we
may believe what Hawthorne says.
that old houses become SO impregnated
with the thoughts Of those who have
lived in them that they influence any
who come within their walls. then the
Brooklyn Woman's club has in some
respects fitting habitation. Envi-
roned by the conservative spirit Of the
past, it is at once rooted in the hearth
stone. and ut the same time sends out
branches into all the earth. Birds Of
every plnmage sing their songs. and
drop the seeds Of every cline into the
greedy brains below, for it Is an open
secret that the members Of this associa-
ton have omniverous appctites for in
formation. Like the white queen in
Wonderland, they consider who they
are and where they came from; they
consider how far they have come; they
consider everything"
The object of this association" is de-
clared to be 1.-The improvement of its
members. and the practical considera-
ton Of the important questions that
grow out Of the relations of the indi-
vidual to society. and the effect of ex-
listing institutions upon individual de-
velopment." This twofold object is
being attained. Some enthusiasts go
SO far as to say that the club is u beau
tifier. and that women who are on the
waiting list were positively plain, have
in the full exercise of membership bios
somed into absolute loneliness How
ever that may be, it is quite true that
1t simplifies life by object-lessons in in
trinsic value. All phases of as many
problems are presented, excessive phil
anthropic dissipation rs well as the
atrophy Of selfishness, and that happy
medium where truth is found.
The charm of the club consists large
~ in its agreement to differ Very
much such an arrangement exists as we
see in the home Of ''our mutual friend"
The velvet hat and feathers OF Mrs.
Boffin never interfere with the democ-
racy OF Mr.. Boffin, and from their diff
ferent stand-points they listen with the
same delight to the literary guest"
One of the questions of this interrog-
alive age is. what have you done? In
answer the club points to two import
ant factors in the philanthropic work
of Brooklvn-the Business Woman's
Union and the Free kindergarten.
Both Of these institutions are her chill
dren. The former long ago received
her dover and began life on her own
account. The younger sister, now in
its fourth year, is established at the
Willow Place Chapel, and cared for by
. committee of club members
Although SO connected with philan-
that ignores money getting. The thrifty
Yankee anthem of ''Sing Song of
Sixpence" Is not on every tongue. The
initiation fee and the annual dues are
the. only financial obligations mention
ed It is restful If not educating to
come aside into this quiet place, and,
undisturbed by ''the jingling of the
guinea" learn what can be accomplish
ed without the sale of tickets Moral
support is given to every worthy cause,
but the club is kept from becoming a
charitable association. The literary
tendency too is controlled, while the
enthusiastic musicians find freer ex-
preston in the Seidel Society without
losing interest in the old home. It is
the aim of those in authority to pre-
serve dignified many-sided organiza.
ton, with no blasting growth in any
one direction. In its present form the
club is a composite photograph blend
Ing the characteristics Of many into q
harmonious expression Of womanhood.
Alternating with the regular meet
ings are the informal Monday after
Moons, when the mem bers are welcomed
by the mother of them all. Mrs Hrrriet
p. Smith. Formally the president Of
the board of directors, she has always
been gracious influence in the club.
Relieving that no association should
fall into the hands of the fearless few,
she encourages the faint-heartcd. well
comes the stranger and with CHEEKY
words gives grace to the timid.
Few organizations possess in such q
degree the homelike element Miss
Beecher, superintendent of the Bust
ness Woman's Union, which owns and
occupies the house whose parlors are
rented by the club, is more than di-
rector. In numberless ways she looks
after the comfort and interests OF her
associates Under her housewifely care
Is stored the china which sees the light
at the luncheon given every alternate
month. A harlequin set it has been
presented piece by piece to the club by
the members, and is an interesting
eral doners- Some plates are SO sensi-
bly, solid, You know they will never
break. Some are pretty but fragile,
while others combine strength and
beauty in hopelessly unattainable fash
ion.
AS soon as woman has secured her
two vouchers and passed the faithful
ordeal of an election by ballot, she
states her preference for one of these
nine subjects: she may study for the