Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-17

| Bainbridge to please ME. we had a realiy
| delightful time. But tie first meeting of
| the season at the Nota. Bene Club was not
/ it, most charming one. It was business
meeting, when no outsiders were allowed
/ and as the fact that anonymous letters had
been written-and probably by some one in
the club-had leaked out. there was larger
| attendance than had ever seen at a pure
| ly business session. Minnie Morrison was
on hand early and stopped me at the back
of the hall.
rs there going to be scrap? Are
| they going to bring up the shoes
ana the perfumery again? Because must
be in at the death. you know
| "A scrap? No. I answered, as II not
| understanding
| "Oh. about the anonymous letter." she
| replied. II am told that you will sift this
! matter to the bottom.
We'll, shall not REFER to 1t in any way.
| returned in my loftiest fashion.
why, it's all over town. she replied.
! Every blessed member who can get here
will this afternoon. And 1 say. look out for
| EN- And please tell me, shall you run Tor
| president again.
Certainly I SHALL I had been little
| undecided on this point, but suddenly made
up my mind.
That's right. Don't let them BLUM you.
Somebody means to, all right. and there
no knowing" but l passed along and left
her. could stand no more just then.
The meeting opened smoothly and almost
".
the usual thing about our gathering once
more after pleasant summer, and expressed
the wish that the coming season would see
us all more in earnest than ever before
The same sentiments club presidents al
ways express at the October meetings.
Then the secretaries read reports that were
| months old, and the various committees re-
ported progress" the audience listened
sIeepily until the item new business was
reached Then, like the sudden summer
breeze before shower, the audience rustled
and sat upright
Various semi-important matters came up
and were discussed tentatively. 1t was a
warm day, lacking entirely in that yigor
and crispness one expects of October, and
enthusiasm was lacking, except for the
subtle expectation of something exciting
ter on. Finally:
rs there any more new business?"
asked. IF not. motion to adjourn will be
in order
Then woman arose in the back part of
the room-one of a group who had been
whispering together
Madam President she began in a
strong, self-reliant voice. Some of US are
annoyed and chagrined at being the recip-
tents of anonymous letters, attacking our
club, its officers and its principles If there
had been but one of these it would, per-
haps. be best to ignore that one; but there
are many who are receiving a copy of the
original letter or others equally as bad
And we desire that something be done
about it"
No sooner had she finished than several
others We're on their feet.
Il hope, Madam President" said one
that we may take this opportunity. not
only to trace the writer of these letters, but
to purify and simplify our election methods
AS it is now. the club has utterly
no no chance to elect its officers. slate
hating a0e oommttee ey broug picked II nG bahe
and railroaded through. We have no
chance to vote for people we really want
You have. If you had the courage of your
convictions. retorted third CTS vour
own fault"
Members will please address the CHAIR
interrupted, ''and consider one point at
a time"
Madam President" and the first speak
er rose again. Il move that committee
be appointed from the floor to investigate
the anonymous letters Several voices
seconded the motion and I was obliged to
put 1t to vote. 1t was carried, although
there was a strong negative vote.
Il am very sorry Madam President" said
Mrs. Henry. rising in her seat, that
dignified club like this should do any
thing SO puerle The writer of an anon
ymouS letter is beneath notice. / trust
this motion will not prevail"
But they would not reconsider and Mrs
Parsons was chosen chairman of the in
veStlgating committee. ~
At the close of the meeting the club
gathered in groups to confer and discuss
Some of the members came voluntarily to
greet and sympathize with me; others did
so in perfunctory way. as if 1t We're a
disagreeable function to be performed; and
large number avoided speaking with me
at all.
Mrs. Henry, realizing suppose, the posi-
ton / was in, took unusual pains to ex-
press her friendly interest in me.
Let me take you home in my carriage"
she said. and several Of my critics heard
her. On the way home she spoke frankly.
You are sensible enough to take what I
say kindly" she began cheerily. II know