The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-10

tdon, engaged in all the other occupa-
lions exclusive Of farming This enor-
NOUS preponderance Of insanity among
women connected with agricultural
pursuits is credited by physicians to
the monotonous drudgery of farm life.
Various efforts to relieve this mo-
notony have been made by individual
phlIanthropists, and among the most
promising palliative just at present
seems to be the system of travelling Ii
braries, which. under different forms
has been already established In New
York, Michigan and Wisconsin.
I cannot speak from experience of
the work that IS being done in New
tork or Michigan, but during the WIN
ter L had an opportunity Of attending
a meeting of those who are interested
In the Wisconsin movement, and could
not help being much impressed by the
enthusiasm that prevailed.
State Senator James H, Stout a.
member Of the great lumber firm of
Knapp, Stout & Co., resides in Menom-
ONE and is the moving spirit Of the
new philanthropy. He Is wealthy, pub
lie spirited and in the prime of life
After expanding more than $780,
upon manual training school for the
city Of Menomonie it struck him that
1000 there are $4,000 people dwelling in
the rural districts of Dunn county,
mostly Scandinavians, who, during the
long winters, have no entertainments
and only difficult access to good books
In the English language. About a year
ago he made preparations to supply
this want and purchased a valuable
collection Of the most modern and best
books on history, science, travel, adven-
ture and bellies lettres. These books,
carefully selected and packed on the
shelves OF boxes, each Of which con-
tains forty volumes and a number Of
recent magazines, are at present dis
tributed through thirty-siX districts of
Dunn County.
How the Work Is Done.
When any district wishes to have
box of books the residents subscribe
one dollar-which may be paid by an
individual for his neighborhood; or may
be made up Of the dimes and nickles of
several persons-and the strong box is
promptly forwarded. One lady, Miss
Stella Lucas, has special charge of the
arrangement, and she may be seen al
most any day driving through the
county on her tour Of instruction and
books is left in a district for four
months, though it may be changed If
desired, more frequently. The Libraries
are located in all sorts of places, usual
ly at the postofice or at the residence
of the district school teacher. The
school house would be convenient for
many reasons, but it is not often suit
able for working men or busy house
keepers. 1t has been found that an
amiable school teacher-as pretty as
possible-draws most readers and fur
nishes the best finding list" to the
Stout Travelling Library" Occasion
ally the now we'll known box of books
Is established on the counter of a cor
ner grocery store, and sometimes in the
blacksmith shop. Wherever folks do
most ongTegate-always taking for
granted librarian with a heart in the
cause-there Is the appointed place for
q travelling library.
The meeting to which I refer was
held In Menomonie, In the Mabel
Tainter Memorial building. The ses-
sion commenced at II d. m, and, with
an interval Of an hour for luncheon,
continued until the gathering shadows
warned people who had come thirty or
forty miles in rough wagons over
rougher roads, that it was time to be
thinking Of home. Luncheon, by the
way, was served in the hall by the
young ladies of the high school; and
anybody in the city-or from Chicago
or st. Petersburg-who was interested
IN libraries received cordial welcome
and an excellent dinner
Mr. Frank Hutchins, of the State Id
brary association, Of Madison, presided
at the meeting, and was assisted by
Miss Stearns, who travels over Wiscon-
sin in the interests OF that society.
Twenty Of the thirty-six districts pos
sessing travelling libraries We're directly
represented by teachers, postoffice
keepers, corner grocerymen, and farm
Srs who have taken charge Of the book
boxes. Several prominent ladies Of the
town were present and Identified them
selves with the movement. Each IL
brarian made q brief speech. relating
experiences which consisted largely Of
genre pictures In story telling. We