The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-03-27
ideas for 1Mnnnen.

4HE
Easter will bring with it this year relief.
to the upper ten from that most trying
thing. Lenten gaiety. They nave been Sc
verely taxed this season trying to find
amusements harmless enough for Lent
and at times they have been in despair
at the seemingly impossible combination
of enjoyment and religion. This struggle
though at times it has been intensely
real to them, has been exceedingly anus
ing to on-lookers as more and more in
stances have been given OF the many
things sweet charity covers. Anything
about which there has been the least
doubt of its propriety during Lent has
had the two little words FOR charityA
added, and at once it became the pink
of propriety. Many things have been at
tempted which have proved impracticable
and these have been quietly put aside.
One of the most amusing of these fail
ures was in reference to q euchre club.
an afternoon ladies' euchre club. The
question of euchre during Lent had been
mouted and at first it had seemed impos-
sible, 1t was such a fragrant breach OF
discipline. But finally one of the mem
bers suggested what she thought would
be an excellent way out Of the difficulty.
During Lent they would form a subscrip-
ton euchre. but the money which they
had hitherto used for the prizes would
at the end of Lent be devoted to charity.
At first this seemed an excellent plan
and all were enthusiastic until one mem
Der despondently said, But 1T wouldn't
be any fun; what is the use of progress
i've euchre without prizes?' That put the
subject in a different light and imimedi-
ately each member saw the utter imprac-
ticabifity of devoting the money to char
ity. But what was to be done? Play cards
they must and with as much reference
to Lent as possible. One bright member
at last suggested what was finally ac-
cepted az a brilliant way out Of the di-
lemma. Play cards they should, quietly
and inoffensively, and play for prizes,
too. But also they would be very good
and devote one afternoon each week ia
Lent to charity. On that afternoon they
would meet and sew for the poor, and
of course to lessen the terrible sacrifice
they would have refreshments and gos-
sip. And 50 the Lenten Sewing Circle was
organized.
In another quarter of the county the
same trouble made itself manifest. What
amusement could possibly. be said to be-
long to Lent? In the answer to this they
were more fortunate, for their plan gave
them amusement all che time and con-
densed the sacrifice into one week. These
ladies' are Mrs. Richard Stevens, Mrs.
Ncwbold Leroy Edgar, Miss Elizabeth
Van Rensselaer,. Mrs. Albert Stevens.
Mrs. Henry McVicker, Mrs. Eben
Wright, Mrs. De Lancy Nicoll, Miss Mary
Ingersoll, Miss Maria Tying, Miss NanitA
Adams, Miss Katherine Candy, Miss
Grace Smelling, Mrs. G. B, Alexander
and Mrs. Frank Stevens, and their plan
will commend itself to all for it is truly
appropriate. What could be more in keep
ing with Lent and Easter than spring
bonnets? Nothing could possibly be, and
in forming themselves into a millinery
class these ladies set an example which
will be followed for many casters to
come.
OF course, even in this charity had to
be brought in. but it was only at the
close and quite naturally. 1t would fol-
low as a matter of course that when
these ladies had discovered what skill
and efficiency they possessed in making
these charming little bonnets they would
begin to see what a deprivation it would
be to womankind to keep these bonnets
selfishly to themselves, and as soon az
their duty was made apparent they would
not shrink from performing it.
The duty in this case lay in showing
these little sloves'' Of bonnets to less for
tunate women and awaking their SLIM
bering envy. The question of how to
do this was solved again by charity. now
sweeter than ever. For sweet charity's
sake these bonnets should be sold, al
though the thought of 1T caused deep
pangs. There was no doubt in regard
to buyers. Had not the bonnets been
as tasteful as they undoubtedly Were, what
woman is there in this vicinity who would
forego the pleasure of paying ten dollars
so that she one day might tell her grand
daughters. This. my dears. was worn by
Mrs. Stevens, of Castle Point"
s
In the midst of these troubleous questions
concerning Lent, the meeting of the State
Federation of Women's Clubs was hailed
with delight. Here at last was a legiti-
mate Lenten festivity not so tiresome as
lectures. but quite as proper. No wonder
that last Friday the trains We're filled
with ladies gonig to Trenton The re-
duction in rates made some little trouble
for some of the ladies, though the c%ertifi-
Gates emitting them to the reduction We're
the tickets, and did not discover the mis-
take until they tried to pass the man at
the gates. Two ladies' who made this
mistake and hurried back to reetify it.
returned to the ear just as it was about
to go and hastily climbed on the back
platform. Too late they found the door
was locked. n they were Obliged to sit
on the steps of the platform until the
conductor discovered them and stopped
the car at Arlington while they changed
| cars TO be greeted with cries Of amuse-
| ment by their friends.
Poor Miss Gaines. President of two Jer-
| sey City clubs. and scheduled to open the
| discussion on the scope of the Federation,
was Ill at home with the measles! That
little childish disease. the measles!
In a very few days the necessity for
| Lenten amusements will cease and society
will be privileged to take up again the
usual run Of euchres, subscription dances
and teas. Some clubs nave quietly con-
tinued the games, but others have an
nounced thai they would not meet again
until Lent was over. These clubs will
meet Easter week. The Greenville Ma
irons Club VIII be entertained Easter
Monday by Mrs. J. J.. Dstwiller, No. 56
Danforth avenue This club has carefully
abstained from Lenten meetings.
The Matinee Euehre Club will hold its