The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-01-03
Maple River Farmers Club.

the deepest and the meanest mud in the
state of Michigan, to attend the December
meeting of the club at the home of one of
the most popular members-Frank Whelan
Thursday, Dec. 90. And 1t was a good
thing that everyone knew of the hospitality
and cengeniality of the host and hostess
and their daughter, or the meeting would
hardly have been largely attended. Quite a
number of guests were present, and when
dinner was announced the house was filled
with the best of Shiawassee county's farm
ers and their families, contented and pros
porous, prepared to enjoy not only the
sumptuOus dinner which the ladies of the
house had prepared, but to take part in the
literary program which in this club is al
ways one of interest, not to the farmer
alone but to any who may be so fortunate
as to hear it. The subjects chosen are such
as are of value to the members, not always
on the same line, but covering variety of
departments agricultural, religious social,
political, and news, and the speakers are
chosen with that care that insures study
and careful presentation of the subject.
THE TIMES man started from Owosso
early enough that under ordinary conditions
and like editors generally do would have
reached Vernon in time for dinner, but his
knowledge of roads and the use of newspa-
per exclamations failed to help out the con-
ditions, and the program was under way
when he arrived.
Nj. ii. Seeley, who served in the war of
the rebellion, was asked to tell of army life
and he did it in way peculiar to himself
and out of the common run of descriptions
of the life of the soldier of those times. OF
the men in the hospitals, in the various
duties of the field and camp, coming home
from and going to service, he told of the
actions as they showed upon the mind and
body. OF the soldiers he made several dis
tinct classes, and his descriptions would
form the basis for many interesting an
ecdotes if the veterans would recognize their
placing in the classes and thus discuss their
lives. Mr.. GLADDEN. spoke of the officers,
showing stheir influence, and especially
when under fire, and gave great credit to
some whom he named for their fearlessness
and watchfulness for the lives of their men.
"Who gets the most out of life, we or our
grandmothers' was discussed by Mrs. 0. G.
Moore, and, as she stated in beginning, she
leaned to the grandmother side of the ques-
ton but presented many facts that proved
the rightfulness of the ground she had talk
en-, aud even the young people were con-
vinced that she was right. The one salts
| faction, however, i'm the matter is that the
young people have their lives before them
and must make the best of it as the sur
rounding conditions can not now be made
such as they were fifty years or even twenty
years ago.
! A paper on "The New Woman" by Mrs.
Jennie Purdy told in plain and positive
language the views of a true woman on the
''new woman" subject, and the leaders of
the club most heartily agreed with the speak
er's statements. The paper as whole we
expect to print and will not comment there
on; suffice it to say that it will bear the
earnest consideration Of the girls and young
women of the city and county.
Miss Birdy Payne read an essay on "Some
Topics of today" that would have been a
good one to read before making new year
resolutions, and would add new pleasure to
the life of any who followed the line of
teaching given.
Bush Moore gave recitation in an inter-
esting and impressive manner.
The Venezuelan question was given to
Clayton Cobk for discussion and he handled
the subject in a mastery manner, showing
the causes of trouble, the proposed remedies
and the positions of the countries specially
interested. He has the true American spir'
It, and, while considering the dangers finan-
cially and to the peace of the world, in en-
gagipg in war, believed that unless Great
Britain left the boundary as 1t should bt
to correspond with the treaties made pre-
vious to the announcement of the Monroe
Doctrine, war must certainly be commenced
and carried to the bitter end. A short dis
cusson followed Mr.. Cooks talk and 1t II
evident that while dreading war the clul
members are for maintaining the dignity o.
this the greatest nation of the world.
The musical part OF the program wa
most pleasant. Miss Edith Whelan Is ac
complished both in vocal. and instrumental
music and takes that interest in it and ha
that spirit for entertaining that makes he
singing and playing SO enjoyable as to maxi
pleasant the lives of those around her. Johr
Whelan, who has for years been more or les
engaged in the music business and ha
studied and mixed with music and musician
for years, also assisted and the encore
showed the appreciation of their efforts
Others furnished songs and instrumental
music that were much appreciated.
A short session after adjournment wa
spent In handshaking and general greetings
but the early darkness broke up the gather
ing at o'clock, all leaving with pleasan