The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-28

nineteenth century, the saying In union
is strength" is still given much respect.
That principle was recognized. it seems
bv prehistoric man, for they banded them
selves into tribes and families for mutual
support and protection and now even
on the approach OF the twentieth century
of historic man the saying seems to hold
It's own stil and the good of organization
to be almost universally acknowledged
In these civilized days, as we are dis
posed arrogantly to call them, though
what ridcue will be thrown upon US for
so doing by the end Of the twentieth CEN
fury it is not difficult to foresee, the
women OF the world are banding them
selves together for mutual support and
protection against the great enemy, Ig-
norance To fight ignorance everywhere
is the object of women's literary clubs over
the world, and It is long and tedious
fight with a strong and crafty enemy that
they have taken up. Arrayed against the
women is a solid phalanx OF accepted ideas,
prejudices proverbs. with Ridicule per-
haps the strongest captain OF all.
For centuries women have conscientious
ly tried to govern their households to
thelr-the households-best advantage,
They have fought for their families against
infection. disease, poor sanitation and all
the other Ills that Ignorance has brought
against them ana now they are
carrying the war into the enemy's
country and are lighting Ignor-
ance itself To this end clubs are
formed and women study up this subject
and that iufOrDltup zach oil ha
results OF their study and with mutual
exchange of thought brought to bear upon
these subjects just opened UP to them. they
arm each other for the warfare by knowl-
edge.
Then the clubs met in general conference
with each other. through their delegates.
and then one part OF the State calls 10 he
other warning Of dagger telling OF proper
defense and bringing into harmony the
forces combined against the common
enemy.
But the enemy Is old to the work while
the army of women is new. and the odds
are against the latter. Men good true
brave men. have fought with all their force
against the common enemy for all these
twenty centuries and more. but they have
given him great advantage in that they
have not guarded the guardians of their
own households against his power, and
women have been educated in such a way
as TO be his most effective agencies Blind
TO this, men have even opposed the feeble
efforts the women have made 10 arm them.
selves and hamper in every way the hands
stretched out In feeble fashion to take uT
any weapon wherewith to defend them
selves
And who is mora In need Of defense
against Ignorance than he wife and moth
er? She has in her hands tho care of the
family, their food, their clothes and theu
lodgmept--who needs more 10 know what
foods what clothes, what lodGment2 In
her hands lies the bodily health of the
Nation. and. consequently, largely the
mental health IA we'll II would seem tc
me the wisest mart to help her In her pur-
suit of knowledge TO assist her by advice
and encouragement, to 20 on in the gooc
work for in the home lies the source o.
strength and purity OF the State and tbs
Nation. and the home is in the woman''
hands.
My article at the head of this column o'
last Sunday has, unfortunately, been much
misunderstood am not opposed In tbs
least to card playing. per Sc, but to card
clubs and card club prizes ii any one VIII
kindly re-read my article with this in view
he or she will not mistake my meaning
No one enjoys game of cards more thar
do, but can not see how any one car
fail to see the evil of card playing as il
has been carried on In this city and IN
other cities in the past few years.
~
story that As too good to be lost and
yet is strictly true was told last week by
a prominent business man of Houston. His
little boy had found a poor. fororn, stray
kitten and, taking il home. was trying
TO comfort II with soothing words OF
sympathy utterly unconscious OF henf
heard.
poor little kitty! Has you lost soul
. IN I I lrfsNt her an
U.s. kitty. She's at a card party. Shell
come home some day"
Margaret H, Foster.
~
Mr.. and Mrs. Norman Medium did
very graceful thing in taking a train full
of people out of the hot, dusty town intC
the very heart of the woods on Monda!
afternoon. sparing themselves in nothiuJ
to make the afternoon what It was--simpl,
delight to their guests The picnic wa'
given specially to the q z club and thei
friends and was one of many ways Il
which Mr.. Medium has favored the clul
since they chose him for their president.
Monday afternoon che Grand Contra
depot was bright with the crowd of pic
nickers whom tho z president aud hi
charming WIG udu kdtucitu okttuSIt du
the train that passed on the Houston Eas
and West took along with II a big load 0
nerriment and fun. as the engine puffe
away into the woods as II conscious OF II
valuable freight. 1t did not stop until
had passed over the historic san Jacint
river and then, shunting off on a side
track. waited patiently until time to carr
the train back. The crowd poured out o
the cars and, spreading over the prett
giopnds known as San Jacinto park, quick
~ made themselves at home. The swing
hanging everywhere were soon tilled. tn
pavilion. where musicians at once begai
the call for those who cared TO dance. ha
its quota of votarles. and the lovely wind
1ng river was sought by parties-a dozel
and morer--who took in with delight til
picturesque views spread out before them
10 The meantime Mr.. and Mrs. Medium
we're busy looking after the material want
Df their guests. and under their supervi
fdon q long table was soon laid under Ia
g lovely trees. and before the light OF da,
IA faded was surrounded by crowd 0