The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-12-07


ment.-Chicago Tribune.
WOMEN LEARNING ORATORY. Y
at has been said again and again
that women gain nothing from their
clubs" said one woman to n man re-
Gently, "but II you were to hear some
of them give after dinner speeches you
would easily change your mind. Club
life has made calls upon women for
abilities In the way of reading papers
aloud and joining in public discus
sions, and although these talks have
remained somewhat heavy in tone,
there Is a marked decrease in the self
consciousness and awkward address
that really brilliant women used to be
guilty of when called upon for few
words of acknowledgment that courte-
sy demanded.
"Women are emerging from this
voiceless condition, and at recent din
ner at which q successful autboress
was present, she responded to toast
in a witty speech, entirely extempore,
| and given with an easy grace. Women
used to recite poems suitable to the oc-
| casion, but now reciting has complete
| ly gone out of vogue, so that the up-to-
date woman must be prepared to rise
gracefully and without bushes deliver
an address as long or as short as she
chooses. 1t Is likely that women will
prove themselves as clever and as elo-
quent as men who have made reputa-
| tons in this way.
Il know many men avoid after din
| ner speeches." meekly said the man,
| for they believe that this kind of ora
tory is not dlgnlfied. Don't you think
women will find so in timer"
"Oh, well, men only like an after
| dinner speech il it is particularly anus
ing, and unless they can be funny they
don't want to speak, and as an ex-
cuse they call it undisnified. But wo-
men, who are so apt and easy in adapt
| ing themselves to social eXigencies OK
all kinds, calling for tact and charm,
should excel in this field of bright and
interesting talk. Many club women
have made 4 special study of speech
making, and one or two of them ara
famed for their witty manner Of bring
| ing certain faults to light and reprovi
ing offenders without in any way
seeming unpleasant. This method Is
| more effective than a serious rebuke
would be.
| "At a woman's club after dinner
| speaking recently, 1t was found very
entertaining to have the women speak
without rising. By this method wO-
men seemed to lose q certain amount
of self-consciousness that is almost in
separable from being the one person
on whom all eyes are fastened.
"It is said that some women speak
best when they wear their hats, wells,
furs and other belongings of their cos
tunes. A woman gains far more con-
fidence from her clothes than a man
does, as they are in most cases valu-
able aids to her good appearance. A
muff or a fan gives her something to
do with her hands, and saves her from
the somewhat stlted attitude of the
average after dinner speakers.
| "At a federation meeting one woman
| got up and talked so loud and used
her hands so much that it was almost
| impossible to keep them from smiling.
Some of the women did not know
whether the speaker wanted them to
look at her clothes, which were ex-
tremely attractive, or at her beautiful
diamond rings. But then she is an
exception to the rule, for the women
who are called upon to speak are usu-
ally self-possessed and deliver speeches
we'll worth listening to-"