The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-03-07
At the Club

At the Club
Before half a quoram had arrived
at the Home Topic club room last night
Mrs. Horrors was almost out of breath
giving vent TO her disapproval Of the re-
cent joaquin Miller lecture. "The idea
Of such man coming here and telling
Christian people 10 be happy, or that he
should even presume to make the sug-
gestion to people who have lived upright
lives. even ii they haven't written
verses! Why, he literally ranted and
made an exhibition Of himself, parading
| the stage with his back to the audience
as much as his face but perhaps it was
preferable showing off his back hair and
game leg. lie sawed the air in the fran
tic effort 10 strike poetic attitude, but
literally failed to impress anyone that he
had the first touch Of refinement or ar-
tistic conception. lie did get off one
reasonably decent Poem about Mr..
Brown, but he didn't dare claim it ~
his own composition
This climax OF literary criticism was
received with varying degrees OF approv-
al, but the calmer minds quietly congrat-
ulated themselves that the speaker was
not on the evenings program,
AZ Madame President entered the dis.
cussion oi our Western poot was
dropped, and all awaited the announc.
ing OF the question for discussion,
which was; "What Shall | DO 20 lm-
prove Our Social SYSTEM" The real
theme being based upon Mrs. Brown
ing's aurora Leigh" Like Aurora
and Romney, every member of the club
had theories and ideas Of her own, and
naturally some members didn't know
Aurora Leigh from Yankee Doodle, but
their IDEAS and opinions Of what the
present conditions of society are were
quite equal to those OF the great literary
woman. For the benefit OF the reader
as a sid, light, il might not he out Il
place 10 suggest that back OF the shell
tering subject suggested by Mrs. Brown
Eing's Aurora Leigh, was mad desire
TO discuss the latest social problem OF
the clubs immediate community, viz,
the young parsons marriage to hand
some actress. The bride was said 10 be
possessed OF fetching ways, good taste,
and all the womanly graces required to
bamboozle man aud make jealous
some who should be her lady friends.
Mrs Up.to-Date cleared her throat
tucked her handkerchief up her sleeve
and very solemnly remarked; "Ihe sub
iect before ms is a very serious one and
believe the first step Of reform must
come through the mother, the sister, the
wife. Society is egotistical, loves noto'
riety. demands leadership, and almost
everything is sacrificed 10 gain recogni-
tion. TO he quoted ~ authority and to
walk pristocratically is the height OF
most peoples idea Of society. As to the
lesser world oi bubbles, they must look
out Tor themselves. Let them do as the
better class do. and they will be all
right " The speaker regretted not hav'
ing spent more thought upon this all
absorbing topic and took her seat.
She vas followed by Mrs. Brillianiine'
whose animated expression correspondent
well with her Rhinestone ear-drops. II
think the only practical way TO discuss
social topics is TO provide ourselves with
all the best books and writings OF popu-
lar authors, read mp carefully and Then
present the summary in a paper Then
lei our members take the matter home 10
themselves and apply the conclusions To
IA. lives of our friends ! am willing
10 do my part as far a. my means
and position wall permit if il can be
done without mingling too much with
unit persons and giving them occasion
20 become TOO familiar. II this elut