The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-07-27

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Miss Clara Parrish and Miss Jennie
Stewart, and no decision reached.
| Who was the homeliest woman? Your
correspondent Is disinclined to answer.
REMINrscENcEs
II was interesting to hear the different
ones relate their experiences in the coun-
tries, where they could not speak or un-
/ derstand the language spoken, In
Luzerne, Switzerland, one OF our ladies
being i'll, two Of our Rhode Island dele
gates went out the evening OF their
arrival TO purchase q spirit lamp. Secur-
Ing from the clerk In the hotel name OF
the store and street where IT could be
found, and what we should ask for,
written on q card, started forth with
undaunted courage. After long walk
we found the long, narrow, dark street,
and entered the store, showed our docu-
ment, and soon had In our possession the
coveted article
AS we were leaving, 1t suddenly oc-
Cured to us that lamp without alcohol
was no good, and after some violent
gesticuation, made the clerk understand
We desired TO know where II could be
obtained. He shook his head and went
into mourning, and we realized the drug
glsts had closed their shops, for IT was
after 10 O'Clock. We struggled vigorously
to bring to his mind by the most heart
rending looks and signs the urgency sof
the case, when suddenly he rushed into
the street, motioning US to follow. We
did, and found him pointing TO an open
store some ways beyond. On reaching 1t,
and approaching the clerk with our
blandest, most enticing smiles, asked,
"spirltsY''
He looked not only surprised, but be-
wildered, and we again with pleading
tones inquired "spirits?"
Alas he understood, but thought we
wanted drink, and was insulted We
tried to explain, but il only made him
was unintelligible. Looking around, we
spied bottle and endcavored to make
him realize that we wanted some to take
away. 1t only added fuel to the flame.
ana he frantically waved us out. We got
TO the door, but there we halted, and wers
bound not to leave until We, carried away
spirits lfor our original stock was getting
low. Turning about We opened our pack
age and showed the lamp, whereupon his
countenace was transformed, illum ined.
lien thousand pardons,o ~ and rushed for
chairs, and with all q Frenchman's
politeness, endeavored to make up past
deficiencies. In due season we started
ior our hotel, with our lamp and bottle
OF spirits, our pride considerably hum
bled by the fact that we didn't carry our
temperance principles In our faces, which
was accounted for possibly by the fact we
had spent week among. the Alps in
delightful mountain climbing, which had
burned our faces well.
1t was not long before that fated bottle
uniavorable notoriety.
About leaving Paris for London we pro-
posed leaving the spirits In our room
having no use for the bottle which had
never been opened. The time came for
that X. !. woman to depart. Her lug
gage had been put In the carriage, and
as she was bowling her farewells porter
rushed out, saying, "madam wait'f-The
carriage was stopped, all eyes land the
sidewalk was fulD turned to know the
cause-when q second porter appeared
holding aloft that black bottle. The
white ribbon woman waved it back, say
ing, "No, mol" but he persisted and in
sisted that she had left It, and was only
refrained from putting 1t into the car
riage by the driver suddenly starting his
horses, and getting beyond his reach.
NO temperance woman was ever more
Inundated or chagrined, and she invari-
ably vowed under no circumstances
would she be persuaded to indulge in
alcohol again.
We might possibly write of other adven,
lures mortifying but laughable that befell
periled living in the same State, so ! re.
Train.
The last days were foil OF enjoyment,
as the weather was all one could wish
and everyone was In good health. We
had made excellent speed, and in few
No wonder there was little sleep that last
night, and one X. l. woman-yes, two,
might have been seen till midnight pacing
the deck and then at it before four
O'Clock In the morning, eager to get the
first sight of Sandy Hook, and then as
the home coast greeted US, we were
thrilled with joy. for was not this our
others.
AS we reached the dock every eye was
watching with intense eagerness for sight
OF some loved face among the crowd
gathered to welcome us with smiles,
shouts, and waving handkerchiefs.
We noticed the countenance OF one OF
our home party suddenly shine with
beatific light, and in few moments She
had fallen on the meek of fine looking
gentleman, and some time after was in
Producing him as "my husband.
Then came the ordeal Of baggage being
overhauled by custom house officials. but
as most OF US had only steamer trunk.
we were soon ready to go our several
ways, some to the Pacific. others TO the
South, still Others to Canada and a few
for Rhode Island, though it becomes me
to say, all things being equal, (by which
! mean according to area and population)
little Rhody sent the largest delegation of
any State. We numbered seven. DIR. and
Mrs Docking, Mrs. Louise NJ. Meader.
Miss Elizabeth Nichols, Mrs. Harriet
Reynolds, Mrs. Harriet w. Baker and
your correspondent
Three Harriets and possibly four In the
X. l. party. The word means "home
rulers, and we are inclined to judge that
after all our most delightful outing. we
are glad indeed to. get back to the home
and home friends, feeling satisfied that i'm
all the world there are no homes like
ours, no men and women truer ana
larger hearted than our own Americans. 4
Faithfully yours,
HARRIET ID. WALKER.
Providence, II. l., July "a, 1895.