The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-11-10
SARAH E. DOYLE CLUB HOLDS
FIRST MEETING OF THE SEASON.

The Sarah f. Doyle club OF this city
held the first meeting OF the season In the
Assembly rooms OF the Mathewson street
church this afternoon.
The meeting was formally opened al 4
o'clock by the president, Miss Annie s.
Brown, who expressed her pleasure at
the beginning OF another club season un-
der such auspicious circumstances. After
a few graceful words OF greeting Miss
Brown called for the secretary's report
which was read and approved. A few
minor matters OF business were disposed
OF when Mrs. Walter Stokes Irons, the
lecturer OF the afternoon was introduced.
Mrs. Irons announced as her subject
Two American story Teliers. Henry c..
Bunner and Frank r. stockton"
In introducing her subject the speaker
spoke OF the disappointment that often
attends any Investigations into the life
OF an admired author. She assured her
audience, however. that such would not
be their experience-since both Bunner
and Stockton possessed most pleasing
personalities.
A brief sketch OF Burners life was fol-
lowed by a discussion OF his works. His
facility as a writer. which enabled him
ID turn out copy while the press was
waiting was touched upon. but his best
work was declared TO be always that up
on which the greatest pains was expend-
ed. The different varieties OF his work
were mentioned and the salient charac-
teristics OF each brought out. Mrs. Irons
read several sketches from Burners
works as illustrative OF his peculiar and
winning style. From Burners prose she
gave Nice People" from short stories
She also recited with charming effect,
that sweet poem beginning
Twas an old. old. old lady,
And boy who was half past three,
And the way they played together,
Was beautiful to see.
She couldn't go running and jumping,
And the boy no more could he
For he was IN little fellow
With thin little twisted knee"
Turning to Stockton Mrs. Irons declar-
ed that I'VE. a. Americans. should feel
great pride In the fact that this unique
literary figure belongs TO US"
Stocktons descent from Richard Stock
ton, who came 10 this country 2A years
ago. was mentioned. together with some
account OF the Stockton family rich with
its multitude OF children. After dwelling
Interestingly upon the amusing pranks
and characteristics OF the Stockton bows
Mrs. Irons turned 10 an analysis OF
Stockton's works. In this connection she
called attention. FIRST 20 his methods of
work and then commented upon the
work itself: noting especially his com
mand OF apt. racy. idiomatic English. to-
gether with his choice epithets: his real
istic descriptions and rne characterize
tions.
Mrs. Irons emphasized stockton's dar-
Ky characters az being especially good
and she read as Illustrative % this as
sumption the darky story entitled Seven
Debbils."
In closing, the speaker paid all honor
20 Stockton characterizng him as the
man who has used his wonderful powers
OF Imagination 10 adj 10 the sunshine of
the world: who. looking on the world
with The eve of philosopher. and see
ins all those things that have made other
men cynical and hard. has drawn from
them pictures that replace the frown
with a smile"
Mrs Irons altogether delightful lecture
received the appreciation which II 10
richly deserved. She gave the same al.
rnou entirely without notes and vyth 4
sistinct charm OF voice and manner.