The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-01-28
A IOuRISIS' CLUB.
A Literary and Conversation Society OF
Young Women That Is Alive.

The Tourists of Price Hill, Cincin-
malta successful travel club Of several
years standing-has recently joined the
general federation. The club idea was
brought to Price Hill from The
Tourists" of Cedar Rapids, Ia, by Miss
Julia Burnet Mrs Clarence A. TurrelD.
who, with Miss Nellie Moore (Mrs. Asa
Bushnell Morgan), organized a new club
| in October, 1884. upon the same general
plan.
After going about Europe in true
| tourist style for two years, the Tourists
! settled down for year In Germany,
| studying music, literature and art The
| fourth year they gave to more thor
ough enjoyment of Italy and England.
Then patriotism led them, tired Of exile,
| to devote two years to their own coun-
| try. And during this time they also
visited Canada, made the fashionable
trip to Alaska and had a very satisfac-
tory glimpse Of Mexico. The past sea-
son found them delighted with their
| well planned tour through South Amer
lea.
The Tourists meet from to 5 o'clock
every other Tuesday, from October to
June. The usual afternoon programme
calls for quotations in response to roll
call, one or two papers, a reading or
recitation, musical interludes, and ends
with a half hours conversation on
given topic under a named leader.
Having followed the plan of rotation
in Office for seven years, the Tourists
have proved it an excellent one, keeping
up the interest and bringing out the
latent talents of each individual men,
ber..
The newly printed programme greets
the members at the first regular meet
ing each fall-always on the first Tues
day in October. The programme is
, prepared during the three months of the
summer recess, by a committee Of three
| members appointed by the new execu-
tive committee after the annual election
in May. The programme committee,
acting with the president, has full
power to map out the route and assign
the work. The work on this committee
is considered the most difficult and i'm
portant that can be given a member;
but each in turn has declared herself
well repaid for her labor by the thor
ough knowledge of interesting countries
gained in the necessarily studious prepa-
ration.
Some account of one of the Tourists
half hour conversations may perhaps in
terest those who would like to make such
feature part of their own club pro-
grammes. myths and Folk Lore of the
Amazonian Indians" proved one of the
most entertaining topics Of their recent
tour through South America. After Civ
ing an Introductory explanation of the
subject, the leader, Miss Kate Leslie
Moore, called upon members Of the club
for tales and legends current among
these Indians. The myths, as was con-
clusively proved, have their variants
among the negroes of our southern states,
as well as among the Kaffirs and Hotten-
tots of southern Africa. The members
of the club had received an intimation
that they were to be called upon for GER
tain work and were found we'll prepared.
Among the Tourists it is considered a
more difficult task to lead a conversation
than to write paper. 1t is necessary to
be prepared at all points, for the member
tant part may disappoint one. She may
perhaps bring a scrap of paper bristling
with uninteresting statistics. which she
calmly proceeds to read, or, having
learned the little article privately be-
slowed upon her by heart, nervously
makes of it a parrotlike recitation. It
requires a great deal of tact and consid-
cradle practice before the one endeavor-
ing to lead can successfully overcome the
deadening effects of such additions to the
conversation. Realizing what splendid
drill these half hour conversations are,
the Tourists strive bravely after the ideal
extemporaneous speech. When occa-
slonally the conversation degenerates
into a series Of little readings and the
failure from their ideal conversation
dampens theis ardor and hurts their pride
the Tourists always find that it is because
multiplicity of other interests has pre-
vented them from taking time for proper
preparation. This is essential to even the
smallest success.-Cor. Homemaker
I pvnr