Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-29

whatever circle they may move.
Ihey carry a charm of persuasion in
their purity of thought, their innocent
speech, and their modest
Later when knowledge comes to bid
them be careful in conversation and
slow in confidence, they reach a de-
velopment of character that adds to
their womanly strength and takes the
places of the girlish graces they have
partially outgrown. In all the varied.
relations of life the young woman holds
a position sacredly her own. There,
are many accounts of the loving 'devo-
ton OF daughters. The world of
books is full of stories of sweet sister
ly love and helpful companionship.
The young woman in the home is the
confdant and counsellor who shares
mothers plans. Beyond the walls of
home the young woman who rightly
understands the power of personal in
fluence may be both teacher and re-
former.
Their H%eIpfulness.
How are u young women to add
to their h~elpfulness? Since the pow
err of adaptation rests not only with
the will, the heart must have it's guild
ance, and second only to the Christ
life are the lessons to be learned from
the lives of some of the daughters
whose deeds recorded cr felt have left
a shining path where once they trod.
Courage, moral growth thrives by
force of example. Our young friends
will find in the study of personal his
4 nTsNr the v0ry irnnnfiuN fho,, ~N,l -
the conquest of daily difficulties. They
will learn to look with new meaning
upon the homely cares and duties
which fall in some proportion within
the lot of every woman's experience,
to be happy even amid uncongenial sur
roundings. Let it be impressed upon
the minds of our young women that
while their hands are employed in me-
chanical work their minds may feed
upon inspiring thought. When, they
lind how nearly some of their petty
trials and eXation are like unto those
OF a grand and noble sisterhood, they
will take up the lines of living with a
better grace"
Mrs. Grooms Speaks.
Following the contralto solo by Mrs.
Ruth Richardson of Davenport, Mrs.
f. Grooms Of Muscatine presented a
paper on "Woman's Duty to Woman
and said in brief: From time imme-
mortal it has been said that woman is
the weaker vessel. This most GER
talnly had reference to the physical
weakness. but frequently we have
been made to wonder whether there
was not a mental weakness among us,
on the question Of our duty to one
another. 1t has often bee said that
woman is woman's worst enemy. We
see this demonstrated every day. If
there is a whisper heard against a sis
ter's fair name, it is the duty of the
true woman to check the speaker and
to seek out that sister of whom you
have heard the unkind words spoken
and if there be no truth in the report
you have done YOU duty, but if not
then perhaps with a few kind words
and earnest pleadings that sister may
be reclaimed.
IF we would but help the erring,
Ere we utter words of blame
If we would, how many might we
Save from paths of sin and shame.
"Oh the load that might be lightened
IF We would but see the way,
If we would but hear the pleadings
"Of the heart that goes astray.'
Yet as We pass through this world
We meet many things which cause us
to think that this world was made for
only a few of us to enjoy.
Often we think that our position is
SO secure and our character so well
formed that nothing can harm us, but
this thought alone oftentimes blinds
us to the conditions, that surround us
and to the duties we owe to our fellow
being. We see misery and distress on
every hand and it is the duty of the
more fortunate to help the weak to re
sist temptations and to cheer the worn
and weary sister.
There is an art in kindness and
sympathy that only a few women
know how to use to make others feel
as though they were friends. She can
with a kind word and ready ministra-
ton smooth yer the rough places and
bring encouragement to you as no one
else a do. Such a woman knows
how to deport herself on all occasions.
She does not believein looking for past
faults, but gives encouragement to
those who err and assists them to at
tain a higher standard of living. Let
us then be up and doing and with will
ing heart and hands strive to accom-
plish the duty of woman to woman"