The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-12
20 6YAHRs.AzAr6E7ff VuEE BR0wN-1eeshozvq

| furnishing of an assembly room in
the building.
1t was a pleasant meeting, and al
I early candle light, the wanderer said
her goodbyes and sought the station,
| with a heart full of gratitude for the
| big Sixth" district, and a zest for the
days to follow.
Following the porter from the car
at Ellis, saw a young girl standing
in the light, her upturned face framed
/ in soft furs, and passed her by with a
fleeing glance of admiration, when
she laid forcible hands upon me, and
1 found that my young girl" was Mrs.
E. C. Waldo, whose oldest son is as tall
as his mother. With a body guard
| composed of Mrs. McMahon. Mrs.
/ Merrill and Mrs. Wade. Mrs. Waldo
| installed me in her charming home,
where she, with the help of her fam
/ lily, contrived to make me glad once
more than 1 had set out upon my jour-
ney.
| The Mutual Improvement club of
Ellis mum ers less than a dozen, but
though a small body, it is powerful
At a reception given at Mrs. Waldo's
home on Tuesday afternoon, the op-
portunity was given me to talk, not
only to the club members, but to many
women. not in the work, and was re-
warded by the expressions of an in
terest in what federation means and
what it has done.
In the evening, at the home of Mrs.
John Mcmahon, the club gave its an
nual banquet, to which the husbands
were invited. This was a most elab-
full occasion. Mr.. Wade and Mr.. Mer-
rill at either end of the table, each
with a mammoth brown turkey before
him, served the company to the ma
tional bird, with many accompani-
ments, usual and unusual.
After dinner speeches, consisting of
toasts and roasts, followed, until every
one present had responded. At the
close of the banquet the club present
ed it's president Mrs. Thomas McMa-
hon, with a cut glass pitcher and SUI
gar bowl-it being the sixteenth we'd
ding anniversary of Mr.. and Mrs. Nc
Mahun.
A short programme followed, but
the hour was late before the company
parted. I have attended all kinds of
club functions-large and small, SIM
pie and elaborate-but never one more
delightful than this. 1t was notable.
too. because every club member was
present, and also every husband.
Then, under the protection of Mr..
and Mrs. VIM. Vose, I sought the no.
tel-for Wednesday was to begin with
a train at 2 o'clock in the morning.
Think of getting up at such an hour
to ride nineteen miles! But the plea
sure of my Ellis visit paid for it-and
Tapped over on several more of my dis
NAL night trains.
Wakeeney, in the spring, with our
bleland, melting into the horizon, and
its pretty group of buildings, must be
aEgood place to visit. But Wax eeney,
at three, of January morning, with
a wind blowing straight from above
the Arctic circle, with the sidewalks
like glass from sleet, five blocks to
walk to the hotel, the -fce-IadenS fwigs
brushing ones face, and a darkness so
thlck that the lanterns scarcely pene- |
trated it,-well, 1 believe I would pre-
fer southern California ---.-
But l only felt forlorn for a mo-
ment when courteous voice said, "Ts |
this Mrs. Brown My possessions
were taken charge of, and soon found |
house, as the guest of Mrs. Toothaker, |
the landlady, and president of the Lo- 4
Gust club, which 1 was to visit j. And |
in the morning, after a CHEEKY well
come from my charming hostess 1 |
would not have traded Wakeeney for |
southern California. Ny programme |
FOR the day included luncheon with |
MRS. Z. ID. Smith, county superintend- |
t OF Irego county, a visit to the Ii !
Drary which the Tourist club has
bravely started, a meeting at the beau |
t1Iul nome of Mrs. 1. T. Purcell. where |
the Locust club entertained the Tourist |
members, dinner with Mrs. F. C. Woll- |
ner. and reception at the home of |
Mrs. A. H. Blair 1t was not onIvS q |
ousy day, 1T was a beautiful day. and |
almost decided to take up nv abode |
in Wakeeney.
The Locust and Tourist clubs de-
serve another chapter next week.
when 1 will have more space to tell of
their work. The former was organ
lied last fall, and has fifteen members.
the latter is several years older.
them was a delight, and never have
met with a quicker appreciation
when have tried to tell of the work
of the federation.
a night spent with Mrs Purcell,
and another daybreak train. ana 7 was
at Hays. But that is another story.
as Kipling says. -''
MAY BELLEVILLE BROWN.