Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1900-11-08
The Objection to Feathers.


was Priscilla's "for short" the long
name was the Society for the Preven-
tion Of Cruelty to Feathers, and that
was Milly's name. Milly was the
president.
The meetings were all held at Peg
gy Van Ben's, another "short" fol-
Peggy Van Benschoten. That was
such terrible name to say-Priscilla
said it made her palate ache. The
Van Ben piazza was the shadiest and
the broadest one in the village and a
beautiful place for societies to meet.
1t had been rather a slow meeting,
though, today.
"There aren't any to prevent, you
see" Milly said, soberly.
"Any what, Milly Deering?"
"Why, feathers-pobody wears EN-
on their hats in this town, not sin
gle body You can't prevent things
when there aren't any"
1t sounded reasonable enough. The
other members nodded agreement
all but Peggy Van Ben. Peggy's face
grew animated, then mysterious.
There is somebody" she announced,
excitedly; II saw her. She's just
come, and she boards at Creek Farm.
1 guess she's a-a-nauthor. "
Peggy's voice became solemn with
awe. The others faces borrowed SOL
emnity from hers
"A WHAT" whispered Milly.
What's 'nauthor,' Peggy Van
Benz"
Somebody that writes things
books and magazines and things. I'm
most sure she's one. She was writing
something under tree when saw
her. And there We're feathers in her
hat-I saw 'em-soft wing feathers
that little bird used TO fly with once
when he sang songs up in the all"
The tenderness and repret in Peg
gy's tones did not surprise the socie-
ty. 1t was used to tender tones when
little slaughtered birds were spoken
of. All the members loved birds.
"She's a wicked woman = cried
Priscilla, hotly, thinking Of the babies
in a nest somewhere that might have
starved to give her trimming for her
hat.
Hush, we don't know. Maybe
she's never had her attention called,
gentle Peggy said.
"Well ?"
They all looked at Peggy Van Ben
inquiringly.
"Well, we've got to do it--call her
attention, l mean. That's what we
are for. was going to tell you in the
meeting but forgot to-.
Call post meeting, Milly-that's
the way to do, somebody suggested,
appealing to the president.
So there was post-meeting on the
Van Ben piazza and the society re-
luctantly agreed to do its duty. 1t
looked like an unsavory undertaking
and all the little brown faces were full
of shy misgivings. 1t was dreadful
to walk right up to strange lady
and-call her attention
We'll go together" the president
said. well go now, while our cOur-
ages up"
"Mine isn't" murmured Priscilla.
"S'posing she won't take EN- off?
S'posing she Gays they're none of our
business-feathers, l mean ?" suggest
ed a voice.
"Then she is a wicked woman,
gentle Peggy cried.
They went in body. Greek Farm
was little way out of the village and
the society trailed along the dusty
road with tagging feet. The presi-
dent tried to encourage them.
Remember our motto, she kept
reminding them firmly. Say it out
loud when 1 say now Now !"
ITO one of the least of these, re-
peated the solemn little chorus. That
was their motto-they had chosen it
themselves. Weren't the little birds
the "least of these2
The strange lady was under a tree
u