The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-04-26
ODD VOLUMES GUESTS
Cosmos Entertained 10 Return
for Their Dinner Mrs.
Stuart's Readings.

notwithstanding the rain last evening.
church. Emory street, was crowded The
occasion was the reception given by the
odd Volumes to the Cosmos. The former
is a literary club of women. and the lat
ter-wel, It Is a mems club and is char
acteristic of the sex; it never meets with
out a dinner. About a year ago the Cos
mos entertained the Odd Volumes at the
Hotel Washington and as is customary in
society the Odd Volumes last evening
gave the Cosmos a feast in its line.
literature.
Mrs. Ruth McHenry Stuart had been
procured to give readings. and for a time
a cloud hung over the assembly. The APP
pointed hour had arrived and no Mrs.
Stuart. The lecture room was beautifully
decorated with dags-American, of course
and this. together with the society gossip
usual ait such d gathering, gave the audi
nee something to talk about. SO time
passed quickly. AT last the programme
was opened. Mrs. Talbot Chambers sang
most sweetly THY Beaming Eyes" and
was encored. Mrs. Marian Leland re-
cited an extract from Barrie,s poplar
work "A Window in Thruns," entitled
Preparing to Receive Company. Her
dialect was excellent and the recitation
was greatly enjoyed by the audience;
Miss Cecilia Gaines, president OF the odd
Volumes, then addressed the audience:
She apoiogized for the non-appearanee q
Mrs. Stuart, saying that that lady must
be lost somewhere in the wilds OF Wee
haWken. as she, Miss Gaines, had been
securing Jersey City in search of her for
the last two hours. She then told how
the Odd Volumes got Its name.
About ten years age. wneh the S eiuo
was formed said she, in looking ABOUT
for an appropriate name, the ciup was
called the Odd Volumes. Many, names
were suggested, such as BIRDS OF FROM
Use. and The She Takers blu as BOOKS
of all sorts-all good sorts-were read by
our club, we chose 'Odd Volumes
Miss Gaines then said that as a year
ago last Washington,s BlrfnGay ehe 1os-
dinner. the latter immediately began 70
look for a chance to return the colnpn-
ment. Martha Washlngton's birthday
Martha being a discreet woman, had no
birthday, and so the Odd Volumes had
taken the present occasion TO entertain
the Cosmos.
Major q. K. Pangborn was then asked
to say a few words. He gave. as is usual
with the Major, a brief. Witty speech, IN
which he spoke appropriately OF the Pr
triotic decorations, of the Odd Volumes IN
general and ended by expressing regret at
the absence of Mrs. Stuart, saying ne
felt inclined to go in search OF her NM
sary. for there was a whisper OF .She,s
come" and as the audience. led by Mrs;
Chambers, sang Our National Song,
Mrs. Stuart entered.
Miss Gaines then introduced Mrs.
Stuart. who had been delayed by a mis-
take in having taken the wrong ferry.
Her arrival was still further delayed py
that episode so common to Jersey City, a
trolley accident. Mrs. Stuart is from New
Orleans. She gave readings from her own
famous works, the first of which was
.Maria's Mourning This kept the au-
dience in commissions and. was heartily
encared. She then gave "A Chapter from
Sonney., Camelia Recavelo.'' Minnie"
aTiger Lily" and Voices" all humorous.
Mrs. Stuart's delivery is excellent and her
dialect perfect.
The reception followed the entertain
merit. Cream and cake were served by
the ladies and after the usual social ex-
change of views. society went home feel
ing better and happier for the Odd Vol
unles having paid their debt to the Cos
mos.