The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1894-06-30
NJ. L. GRAHAM STUDY CLUB.

young have gone into the study of
literature with zeal that is already
bearing good fruit. The slYise and
Otherwise literary club was organ
lied last winter, which has since been
meeting regularly at different houses,
where some very excellent original
ESSAYS and other productions have
been produced. We were not aware
that Providence possessed so much
latent talent among her people until
the organization of the "Wiso aud
Otherwise" literary club. The ex-
ample set by one young lady and
gentlemen has in turn encouraged
others. and to-day those who at first
were timorous and backward are now
perfectly willing to contribute their
share towards the pleasure OF the
evenings. Literature has thus taken
quite decided step TO the front, aud
every member of the club takes q
special delight, and even pride, in
excellence and merit.
But it was until the recent visit of
Mrs. NJ. Louise Graham of New Or
Orleans, TO Providence that the young
ladies of the town organized the
society. whose name appears at the
top.
During Mrs. Graham's visit here,
the "Wise and Otherwise" club was
honored by her presence on several
occasions, and it was then that the
members were treated to several inter-
esting talks by her. Among other
things, size spoke of the different hit
erary clubs in New Orleans and gave
an outline of the aims aud objects OF
each one. She also spoke encourage
ingly to the young ladies, end urged
them to continue III the development
of their minds and the improvement
of their stock of literary knowledge.
The result of Mrs. Graham's talk
was the organization of the III. l..
Graham Study Club by the young
ladies. No gentlemen are allowed
within its sanctum sanctorum-it is
simon pure feminine in every partic-
ular; except perhaps when the male
persuasion is taken under special
scrutiny. The objects Of the club are
the literary and mental betterment OF
the young ladies and the encourage
ment of literary pursuits.
We will give short synopsis OF the
club: There are two officers, President
and Secretary. Miss Ella Rous graces
the Presidents chair, while Miss Mary
Decker Yields the quill by her side
In addition to these, there are five
mentors, whose province ii is to have
critical supervision over some special
department of literature, art or fancy
work. Miss ella Rous is mentor Of
elocution Miss Kitty McCulloch men.
tor of music Miss Mary Montgomery
mentor of literature; Miss Laurs
Davis. mentor Of original essays; ano
Miss Dollie Kennedy, mentor ofncedl'
work. Each meeting is devoted IL IL
entirety to one Of these subjects. Fol
instance, at the last meeting the sub
ject of General Literature was unde
consideration the subject, "Dickens.
One Young lady read an essay OF
Martin Chuzzlewit another deliyere'
a lecture on Esther, from Bleak House
several read extracts from Davl'
/ Copperfeld, Old Curiosity Shop, an
Pickwick Papers, while others ha'
recitations and dialogues. The mel
tor of each subject makes he
criticisms, notes The mistakes as we
as the merits of the different contrib
utors. and makes such remarks as ma
be suitable to the occasion of the sui
Iiect. It is her duty to select the sui
iect for consideration, AID to appoil
whomsoever she chooses to exhau'
any special division Of the subject
this way the different subjects come !
their turn weekly, and the mentor
each one appoints the contributor
, and makes her criticisms. Each youn
lady responds to the calling OF hs
name with quotation. The numbt
of the club is limited to eighteen an
|if any member misses two meeting
consecutively without good excus
she is no longer considered a memb'
of the club,
The young ladies could not has
done more graceful thing than
have named their club after Mrs. \
Louise Graham. For years MI
Graham (then Garner) was reside'
of Lake Providence and by her abil
} ty, pluck and indomitable energy, 81
> showed what woman can do. III
, literary career here is pointed to vii
, nride nv her friends sud admirer