Williams news., 1904-02-13
Literary Society.

The Literary Society held Mon- l day evening, was called to order by l Miss Springfield.
 Rev. Oliver and Prof. Philbrook ] gave very interesting talks on the life of Whittier-the reading by Mrs. Oliver was very much enjoyed.
 Miss Rose Carnes then read a personal reminiscenee of Whittier. written by 6 friend of hers, who spent an evening with Whittier. Below is the letter in full:
 Whittier was about B5 years of age when 1 saw him. tall and rather slender, a little bent, with round shoulders and a narrow chest, a full suit of gray hair. and, as it was winter, he had allowed his beard to grow beneath his chin to protect his throat. But his most striking feature was his large, deep-set eyes which frightened and changed with every change of emotion or sentiment evoked by the conversa- ton. And particularly did they glow with kindly light when he could draw ont my sister, whom he very much admired, upon her or thodoxy, in which she was very set and enthusiastic, and which she defended very brilliantly. He, though very religious, was very much more liberal in his views. As 'he would become more excited he would be mors and more gentle and would naturally fall into his thee's and thou's. His voice, though not dsep, was pitched low and very melodious. A kindly humor pre- vaded his ceuntenanee at all times.
 If you turn to the Trent on the Beach" at the passage, at nightfall from g neighboring tent, sweet voiced woman sweetly sang, and fol- low along you will see very good example of the argument the day ] heard him.
 1 was about to graduate from col- 1ege. He said to me on parting, "Frisnd Charles, thy sister and l trim our pinnacle lamps in lit tie different fashion, but we burn the same oil, follow the same com pass. Thou art about to launch upon stormy sea. l care not in what fashion thou trimmest thy lamp, so thou keepest it trimmed and we'll filled with that same oil of the holy spirit, and followest steadfastly the same compass"
 Miss Kate Field, then at the height of her fame, and Oliver Wen dell Holmes, were of the party, and at dinner they, particularly the doctor, monopolized the converse tion, but were obliged to leave i'm mediately at the close of the meal. My sister had three little girls aged five, seven and nine and for two hours after dinner Whittier devoted himself to them with the drollest of stories, often falling into rhyme. Such shouts of delight and such peals of laughter, little folks sell dom indulge in, and at both de- light Cat their joy) and laughter he was no whit behind. After they had been put to bed I asked him if he would reoite some of his poems, expressing in some way my love for them. He said "Boy friend, show thou lowest my lines by tell ing me some of them" instantly (and flatter myself, feelingly) re- cited for him some of his lines He grasped my hand saying, thou un- derstandest. It will be easy to re- cite to thee I told him the lines ] had just reoited were the ones that first awoke in me, when lad, a love of poetry. and he gave my hand gentle pressure, and in the most delightful and quiet manner gave several selections. My sister and l then gave some of his poems and then we all joined in giving parts of "Snowbound."
 Program for Literary Society Feb. 22, 1904, in charge of literary committee.
 Conflicting claims in Asia, Pro. Philbrook; the cause and result of JapaneseC Chinese war, Rev. Oliver; Russia's military strength, Eliza McIntire; Japan's m Hilary strength, Jennie Farnsworth; Con flicting claims of the two nations. Miss Stringfieldi the importance of the open door, MT. Gawthorne; your opinion of the Czar's univer- sal peace problem, Mrs. Peasants; what is right in the Chinese ques- | tion, MT Van Buren; Japan's mili- tary operations up to date, Rose Carnes; Russia's military opera tions up to date, Mir. Gilmore.
 ELIZA MCINTYRE, Secretary.
 A. F, Hunt, agent for the Santa