The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-06-26

June 13.-Our little party left Magyar
Falls with many happy memories @
our pleasant trip. Arriving in NeI
York, we went at once to Mr.. and Mrs
r. c. Easton, and found Apostle H. J
Grant and wife, Mrs. Jesse Knight AM
Miss Clara HoIbrook located near them
Genial Mrs. Kelly, Mr.. and Mrs. A. w
McCune and daughter were located a
the Waldorf.
After a nights rest our party Wen
in different directions. The writer ac
cepted the cordial invitation of Mrs
Fannie Humphreys Gaffney, the presi
dent of the National Council of Wo
men, to spend the day with her.
Mrs. Gaffney is one of the smart SCI
of New York City; wealthy, beautiful
and gifted, she possesses much lnilu-
ence. Her home is in the fashionable
quiet streets close to the river, and hei
husband had just purchased an ele-
CANT new house directly on the river
with a most magnificent view.
The maid ushered me into the recep-
ton hall, cool. dark and thoroughly
oriental in design and furnishing. In
a moment she returned and led the
way to the parlors.
1t was a delight to look about on all
the articles of art and Vertu, to note
the quiet air of elegance which pervad-
ed the rooms, and TO enjoy the pictures
and statuettes about the rooms.
In a moment the lady herself came in,
and with the simple charm of manner
which 1 had already remarked In Wash
ington last winter, she bade me well
come to her home.
I did not listen attentively TO her first
remarks, for I was noting the consum-
mate skill with which she had chosen
the colors and materials OF her pale
blue tea gown to harmonize with her
own style and the white and gold of
her drawing room.
After some talk, she led me upstairs
and through the dainty chambers of
her daughters and herself, and into her
own den" as she calls the cosy little
Office with hugh desk, typewriter and
low easy chairs, which serves that pur-
pose.
We have heard great deal about
the skill with which architects plan
houses of four stories on a compare
lively small space of ground. l think
! never realized it before in my life
The comfort, elegance and beauty
which can be compressed in home
not more than forty feet wide and
sixty feet long is a marvel.
Mrs Gaffney has taken the initial
steps in her three years presidency of
the council with force and vigor, yet
with a gentle consideration for the
feelings of others. which is delightful
and hopeful in the extreme. 1t remains
to be seen, of course, whether she Will
have the power to move others and to
control and harmonic opposing forces.
She is intimately acquainted with
Mrs. Rebecca d. Lowe, and talks con-
fidently of future admitttance of the
Federation of Clubs into the council.
Mrs. Gaffney is keenly alive to the
fact that the culture and fashion of the
United States are yet unaware of the
power or even in many instances of
the existence of our council. 1t is the
earnest women, the workers the edu-
Gators, the women of purpose and of
thought who have taken hold of this
gigantic movement. But the force and
strength which exists in the circles of
the wealthy and the fashionable must
not be ignored nor overlooked by the
leaders of the council. And to this
work of education, for which her own
social position so we'll qualities her. |
Mrs. Gaffney will devote some measure |
of her skill and time.
No one trait so bespeaks the noble |
character of her soul as the absolute |
and fairness with which she |
treats all women associated with her. |
AT luncheon / met the pretty young t
daughter of Mrs. Gaffney and her sis |
ter, and must not omit the two know
ing little doggies which seemed the pets
Of the household.
Miss Gaffney is an unusual young
girl of Il. and worthy of separate men
lion. The ease and simple cordially OF
her manners were the most perfect eX-
ample of modest yet cultured young
l have even seen. Without
L trace of affectation, or a touch of
bride. she devoted herself to her
acquaintance. in her mothers forced I
absence, with a zeal most commend
lble. And she was as interested in her
work and plans as if she were
% years older A gentlewoman is the
mother. and an unspoiled American
,irl is the daughter.
After luncheon Mrs. Gaffney invited
ne to go with her to the George Wash
ngton memorial meeting, to be held at
he Waldorf.
AS we entered the carriage I felt
inge of regret at my own modest trav-
ling dress as contraSted with the beau
iful toilettes of both mother and
laughter.
But that regret became almost an
oyance when the elegantly dressed la
les which filed the parlors of the Wal
OFF fluttered around Mrs. Gaffney and
-ere at once introduced to me- How
yer. western women are not long at !
loss, so personalities were soon for .
often in the excellent meeting which :
ollowed. ;
Mrs. Ellen A. Richardson, as elegant :
nd lovely as ever was the heroine of !
he hour. She read a fine paper on the :
-ork of this association, which was :
'armly received. :
Mrs. Gaffney had, telegraphed for d,
IRIS. Cynitchia Westover Alden of the
lew York Tribune. whom I was very :
nXiouS to meet, and who desired to see
lie, so that | lost some of the meeting =
trough going out with Miss Gaffney :
, watch for Mrs Alden.
When we returned Mrs. Gaffney was !.
lst closing her own address, for she is h
! officer of this association. She was q
itty and full Of practical suggestions :,
: well. The audience went fairly wild 9
18th applauding her; she could scarcely n
: heard at times, and at the close of 4
lie meeting she was simply over o
helmed with congratulations and com
iments. She spoke from notes, and a
ar humor was spontaneous and nat
al.
This pen picture of our new presi-
mt would not be complete withovs a,
ention of my brief inspection of Mrs. s
affney's new home of gray stone on II
e banks of the river. Every detail cl
as as perfect as skill, art and money fs
uld make it. OF
Mrs McCune came down with me to m
c parlors at my solicitation, to meet C
rs. Gaffney, for be il remembered is
at Mrs. McCune is a patron of both 81
e national and international councils, P
ID after an hour spent in social chat st
left the two ladies making excellent a
adway towards a permanent friend 90