The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-12-13

WOMEN LEARNING oRAToRY.
at has been said again and again
that women gain nothing from their
clubs" said one woman to a man re-
Gently, "but if you were to hear some
Of them give after dinner speeches you
would easily change your mind. CiuD
life has made calls upon women tor
abilities in the way of reading papers
aloud and joining in public discus
sions. and although these talks nave
remained somewhat heavy in tone,
there is a marked decrease in the SELF
consciousness and awkward address
that really brilliant women used 10 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 a successful authoress
was present, she responded to a toast
in a witty speech, entirely extempore'
and given with an easy grace. Women
used to reclte poems suitable TO the oc-
casion, bur 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-
tions 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 dignihed Don't you think
women will find so in timeg'
"Oh, well, men only like an after
dinner speech IL it is particularly anus
ing. and unless they can b7 funny they
don't want to speak, and as an ex-
euse they call it undlgnhed. But wo-
men, who are so apt and easy in adapt
ing themselves to social exigencies Of
all kinds, calling for tact and charm,
should excel in this field OF bright and
interesting talk. Many club women
have made a special study OF speech
making, and one or two Of them are
famed for their witty manner Of bring
ing certain faults TO light and reprov'
ing offenders without in any way
seeming unpleasant This method is
more effective than a serious rebuks
would be.
"At a woman's club after dinner
speaking recently, it was found very
entertaining to have the women speak
without rising. BY this method wo
men seemed to lose a certain amount
Of self-consciousness that Is almost i'm
separable from being the one person
on whom all eyes are fastened
1T 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.
fidenee from her clothes than man
does, as they are in most cases yalu'
able aids to her good appearance. A
nun or a fan gives her something tc
DO with her hands. and saves her from
the somewhat stilted attitude Of the
average after dinner speakers.
"At q federation meeting one woman
got up and talked SO loud and used
her hands so much that u was almost
impossible to keep them from smiling
some OF the women did not know
whether the speaker wanted them tc
look at her clothes, which were ex.
tremely attractive. OF at her beautl ul
diamond rings. But thea she Is an
exception to the rule for the women
who are called upon 10 speak are usu-
ally self-possessed and deliver speeches
wen worth listening to-"