New-York tribune., 1902-10-13
THE FIVE O'CLOCK TEA GLIB.
IT'S INAUGURATION As SUCCESSOR TO
TIE ROCKER CLUB

TIE ROCKER CLUB.
When the few faithful members of the Rocker
club met aroInd Mrs. Weldon's tea urn one
rainy autumn afternoon the hostess announced
mat she had new plan 10 lay before the meeting
Hear hear" exclaimed Mrs. Outing. who had
stopped m on her way from the city TO get the
ehiN taken or" as she said
It's only this." said Mrs. Weldon. y propose
uaai We make these informal meetings "a regular
institution, and call II the Five O'Clock Tea Club
S''efA new members viii come ia. az some who
@ele away during the summer have heard ~ our
4'eeSaht talks, and wished that they might be
''nuhuec We viii agree among ourselves not 20
Aensnge formal calls but 10 make these meet
'ss substitute Tor that very doubtful form of
N'sAay recreation. W. can meet around or
MAKE this house our headquarters; the latter.
ANA Is the better plan. We can discuss infor-
many The topics that have interested some OF US
me regular club meetings. or IN the coursa of
~. Norh or reading. We sew ~ We like
'oiVlcually-bu; we must criticise one who
Hsppler With Idle hands. and We must ask no
1e to give an account Of hers.lf for absence
she remains away. she Is not 10 be asked ghy
- s~fest Way of forcing a member OF any so
70 resign is 10 require OF her-either officially
OueFWlss-a Eood reason for her absence on
any given day"
iou may well say Hear. hear 20 that" in
s.poseo Miss Merivale. y have lately refused
l'sly TO belong 10 small clubs because
missed y 4 don't 60 I hate above all things
- y missed and 10 look forward TO being met
-" tepToachful glances and upbraidings be-
euse didn't attend the last meeting. II a club
% small, and has so little reason for existing
3' me attendance OF every member is necessary
better"
.oo are the most topsy-turvy reasoner." said
= = quitting. laughing. The idea OF any one
oNly arguing for the right 10 be absent from
N'-iety voluntarily iOine1f No club
&c hoid together on those terms"
vel can't hold together n ] must come or
s'oloeo." persisted Miss Merivale whimsically.
&C one can make you logical II you choose TO
a., oher|ise" said Mrs Weldon. smiling. ANY
- you shant be scoded here. do suppose
s11Sa sSS Regularly organized club could not exist
seclSs--, a Ialr attendance. but ] don't believe IN
Rbs ing ing the attendance by teasing the members
ne NJ az 10 our little club. its raison detre II the
Ia 49, of the members. and II they 40 not care
IVY ivy Formal regrets and lamentatious. or Il only
ferern1 1N.ee crop In. ana sun enjoy The Itte con
Five C,,,'A99se moss Two or three shan consLtut' m
There,0 SIllck Tea club until further notice
not Az gHhwfiten laws there are only two that can
one is; Don't gossip said Miss Merivale
ous..ea A,a The other" said Mrs Easley is: Don
.,hs behold" responded Mrs Weldon admiringly
ergsrs5,S, accord between the prom95ers 81 fas
cub b't them utterance. Let the object ot this
iSS.e Ro eoterie Of women can meet together every
ever le nc lGen for the interchange OF thoSgh. and
shine oI an occasional good grumhle- without gos.
fbis of Quarrelling. It is already proved that
~ Dc done under the restraint ~ parma
su1s'as law hui are doing f not uneer ih'
ysie ut under the gospel" interrupted Miss Meri-
vain" ''N VI We Hucteco "e haf" "'' ''0o 'N
soossS,ns oosSn which everybody said Hear. hear and
~ N-ssa another cup OF tea. But when they part
,Fass., Weldon whispered 10 Miss Mer1vale;
Hoire-n promise nof 20 b. Eercastic Nifh Mis
49, some CAV she n through a
or orer soul, sacrifice sarcasm and other JOYS
m ~ siisr o. your nospifable hearth. Trust me.
mush of Concession' ~ necessary.