Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-07-08

Inc Llnlnger collection of c..... -,..,.- g.. ~. ~
we'll known. Even in our liehtful ride to Cascad. Springs at I
Hot Springs famous Grand View H Fredoerenbe
The Clubwoman's Toast.
MNNllEN the winds of March were shaking the pine trees o the hill
..WNY And cloud and sun contendng which one should have its will,
The Womans Club assembled within its flag draped hall,
With gay enthusiasm responding to a call"
With yea, and admiration they heard the theme discussed,
& Perceiving, each, her error. as human beings must.
81 With interest unfiagging they followed round the earth
The footsteps of the nation begun with Abrams birth.
They heard the guest of honor profess a faith unswerved
In Anglo-saSons being the seed by God preserved.
With true decorum needing they talked the matter over,
Considering if English blood betrayed the Jewish rover.
Deciding that the logic was Just a wee unstable,
With parliamentary tactics. they Laid it on the table"
Released from mental labor they chatted, here and there.
OF the latest news from Cuba, free trade. the baby's hair.
Until the swift attendants had spread the feast prepared,
md grouped them round the tables. with gay good humor shared.
The silver was flashing, the crystal agleam,
And the lights overhead lent an answering beam
To the china that gittered before the fair Games
AS they merrly TESTED concerning their names.
They tasted the salads. and broke their white bread.
And vanquished the oyster. remote from his bed;
They passed the grey olives, and nibbed their nuts,
These rejoicing club women escaped from their ruts.
They revded in wisdom, in wit they ran riot.
They ignored the apostle who babe them "be quiet"
They offered and answered the brightest of toasts.
Sincerely enjoying the last one the most.
Till a woman arose at the foot of the line,
And spoke to the leader. most wise and benign.
y tap on the table. and q swift silence fell. =
AS they turned to attend to the tale she sho1d tell.
She glanced at their faces. and markedly get once more.
The likeness. in difference she had noted before.
There were matronly women of culture and grace,
And women more youthful. with beauty of face.
There women whose children were babes at their knees.
There were women whose sons had attained their degrees
There were women whose foreheads were fair. smooth and white.
And others that Care had cut deep in the night.
And. bending together they waited to hear
If the speaker were student. or jester, or seer.
She paused a scant moment. and then she began.
III rise in presumption. as hasteth a man
TO Join the immortals before he is bid.
Our hostess omhtedIo own that she did
To ask m to add to the program to-day
No doubt she forgot it-and hence my delay.
II ask her to pardon, and you to forgive.
And grant that your servant. though speaking, may live"
And then mid the laughter and clapping of hands
She bowed and continued. II forestall your commands,
And hasten to answer your questioning eyes,
And explain why. unbidden. 1 venture to rise.
AS L sat at the table, and listened and learned,
And put by the questions till nights taper burned,
And laughed at your jesung. and looked at your faces,
And tasted your reasons. and joyed in your graces,
L thota that our lives in this day of rich favor
Had little excuse ii found wanting in SAVIOR.
~ had a swift vision OF doors opening wide.
And / ,hot we are born at the flood of the tide
lsut ere my mind had found time to rejoice
Came the question, But where did the food have its source
And 1 thought of beginnings far down the past years
When the women who bore us. in trouble and fears,
In singleness studied their problems alone.
All. war hath its armies who bide in the home.
II take lit our mothers were chiefly the ones
Who carried us children tho they trod on the stones.
Who loved us and gave US the best tina, they had.
Who praised US. and babe US pass on. and we're glad.
They rejoiced as we gathered the spoil of the years.
And passed to the background. and stihed their fears
That time would make chasms 'twixt mother and child.
If they feared it they smiled.
And tonight we are far from the homes that we knew.
When the ends that we aim al were hidden from view:
And some of our mothers have passed to that calm
Where the victors are bearing their branches of palm.
But to them. and to those who yet smile at US here,
Let us turn in these moments Of laughter and cheer.
Let me offer a toast. tho we rise for no other.
Let us stand while we drink to the club womanis mother"
March aSN 1895.