New-York tribune., 1900-08-07
FACTS ABOUT NATURE.
MRS. HELEN GARDINER TELLS P. W. L.
MEMBERS SOME INTEREST
ING STORIES.

vzTrer -oan curses nature still testihes 10 truth
and love" was one Of the sentiments expressed on
the souvenir cards distributed to guests and mem
bers Of the Professional W0man's League by Mrs.
Jennie Suderly yesterday afternoon
Il was literary day. and the tODic discussed
vas Mature % the programme being rrangeo by
Mrs z, II. Macdonald. L opened with the dis
tribution among the special guests Of box Of
flowers from Mrs Robert @. Inscrsoll Of DObbs
Ferry and the presentation Of small hunches Of
field flowers to those present by Mrs Suderly. eX-
president Of the Woman's Literary club o. Arling-
ton y Y. and her committee Of sister members
comprising Mrs. p. ". Barber Mrs. J. h Beck
with. Mrs William Boag Mrs William Boag. jr,
Mrs Ralph Voorhees, Mrs T. F. Pllrt, Miss Edna
Greene Miss Hattie Green, Miss NJ. Beckwith. Miss
Baumgarten and Miss Gemma BauHlgarten
The platform was occupied by Mrs Macdonald,
chairman of the day. with Mrs. Helen Fl Gardner,
guest Of honor. at her right. and Mrs. Louisa FL
dridge vice-president Of the League, ~ her left
Two remaining occupants were Mrs. Suderly and
Miss Minnie Swayze Mrs. May Cornell Aiken,
new Lacquer recited The Silent System, and Miss
Swayze read '1The Honor Of the Woods; CT. n Boat
Race in the Adrondacks."
Miss Amelia SummeTville had promised 70 give
her rnonoIogue An Afternoon Tea" Lut was
called 10 Boston. and in her stead Mrs. Macdonald
sang solo. which warmly applauded by tie
audience
When Mrs. Helen Gardiner was announced for
the next number those present seruei themselves
with satisfied air Of knowing that something good
was in store and they We're not disappointed. Mira.
Gardiner read Two Studies IN Nature" One she
called How the Woodpeeker Farteus His Pork"
q story prettiIy told Of her "yed-haaded friends
California" the w0odpeckeTs. These sagac:ous
birds gather green acorns bury them IN the bark
Of pine trees and bde their tlrle until en insect
lays its egg therein which duly becomes 4 grub or,
an old miner expressed it, the woodpecke-'s
fattened pork
The second study was Natures Method with
Man" an incident as related by a physician of a
curious case Of insanity resulting from wound
received by q negro the battle Of Bull Run.
Gle but physically perfect, and in all that time
had never spoken one word In walking his tend
Sesteq 70 the surgeon TO operate upon the right
side Of the skull a silver OF bone removed
from the brain, and the wound dressed. The at
lendlng physicians anNlCuSIy awaited the mans
return to consciousness whereupon the first ques-
ton ne asked in fun, clear tones heard for the
first time in all those Years: What became of dat
army His mind had remained just where it
stopped its workings at the battle, and the long
interval OF years was a total blank Such Is the
popularity Of natures method with man..
The story held the interest Of the audience so
closely that for the moment the severe heat Of
The Gay was forgotten. and the myriad fans ceased
Mrs. Gertrude Andrews was next in order with a
snort talk on Love as It Expresses Itself In
Nature This love, the speaker thought, EN-
bodied in all flowers.
The tinal recitation, by Miss Swayze was the
signal for an adjournment 20 the tearoom. presided
over 10y Miss Laura Alberta assisted by Miss Ger
Mrs. Frederick Ross received the guests who in
cluded
3irs- Jessie L. Crear. Mrs. James cubertson
Mrs. Emily A. Goss- Mrs. George Macdonald.
Mrs. u. Florence Johnson. Mrs. Mason
Mrs. T. 4 Apgar. Mrs. Adolph Bierck
Mrs William Il. Apgar. Mrs. ". F. Hibbard
Bliss = zaheth Weir. Mrs. s NJ Snow
Mrs.. Alice Richards. Mrs. E r. Coleu.