The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-15
COLD DAY FOR a LECTURER.
II. HOPlSinsOn Smiths Experience mt
"a Minneapolis Reception.

~ minneapolis reception.
From the New York Sun.
Among the women's clubs of the country
the name of F. Hopkinson Smith, the ge-
NAL man of all arts, Is one to conjure
with. Just what kind of a spirit will be
raised, however. depends on the partic-
ular club the experimenter happens 10
try. Among the many arts of which Mr..
Smith knows more or less. the one of
which he knows least is the gentle art of
making enemies. He has practiced occa-
sionally on womens clubs, but with poor
success.
A year or two ago he had an experience
with a woman's club in Minneapolis,
which the women, at least, have not for
gotten. Mr.. Smith was then doing a cir
cult of original readings throughout the
West. Clubwomen dearly love to hear
lion roar be IL ever so gently, so the
painter writer ngineer-reader was COM
PEELED to breast tide of invitations which
assailed him as he advanced from date
to date Being exceedingly good natured
and gallant, Mr.. Smith accepted as many
of these invitations as he possibly could.
At Minneapolis he was scheduled for an
afternoon talk to a prominent woman's
club, the talk to be followed by the inevi-
table reception. One of the shining lights
of the local Womens Christian Temper
ance Union had offered her house for the
momentous occasion, and when the hour
set for the roaring arrived the drawing
room was crowded. Minneapolis "had
gathered there her beauty" or a good
deal of it. Unlike the affair of Belgium's
capital, In this case the chivalry was abb
sent In other words, ID was an exclusive
ly feminine affair.
With the exception, naturally of Mr..
Smith himself. He arrived Just as the
drawing room became so crowded that
the late corners were being seated by the
wide doorway opening from the han to the
main apartment. 1t was a cold day; a
day which struck chill to the marrow
of Mr.. Smith, who was bred in old Vir-
ginia or some place as far south of che
Minnesotan belt as that good old state
Is. The Woman's Christian Temperance
Union hostess happened 90 be engaged at
the moment OF the distinguished guest
arrival so he was received by the mar
ried daughter of the house, who had been
trained in the precepts of her mother She
welcomed Mr.. Smith cordially, stood by
while he removed his great-coat, and ad-
mitted that IL was a cold day, although
she reminded him that it was likely 10
be cold at that time of year. Mr. Smith
admitted this in his turn, but emphasized
his previous remark by one Of those shiv-
ers which begin with a clutch az the crown
of the head. travel vsibly downward to
the soles of the feet, shaking one by sue
cessive sections on the way.
Have you any whisky in the house?"
asked Mr.. Smith In clear, unmistakable
tones, which smote upon the ears of the
women by the doorway, Travelled from
tympanum 20 tympanum in the drawing
room, and met another set of the same
vibrations which had come around BY the
other door and had informed everybody
In that direction that Mr.. Smith was ask
ing for whisky. Every woman present
held her breath to hear what the answer
would me. The W. c. T. u. daughter look
ed Wildly about for her mother. but that
lady was seeing" somebody on the teIe-
phone or was otherwise occupied So the
daughter spared a little.
"oh, Mr.. Smith" she said. "are you
in?"
Not Bit Not bitv exclaimed that
gentleman, reassuringly, all unconscious
Of the gravity OF the situation. Never
felt better In my Iifel But It's so cold I
got thoroughly chilled"
The daughter looked wildly once more
for the approach of her mother but no
help was in sight so, heroically assuun-
ing all responsibility, she said with much
emphasis:
Eyes. these sudden attacks are alarm
ing. Come with me-"
With these words she led Mr. Smith to
the dining room, where she produced a
key from the hidden recesses OF drawer
and with this she unlocked a small cab
met on the wall. From among certain
medicine bottles and other articles the
daughter drew a small vial, poured out a
teaspoonful Of whisky and gravely offered
IL to the expectant visitor Although
somewhat dazed. Mr.. Smith managed to
take the teaspoon. and observing that the
lady was watching him expectantly, be
swallowed the whisky. The daughter re-
eeived back the spoon with the same grav-