Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-04-24
8 The Bee8 H@me Magazine page *
The WOman's
Dickens Club

Three-thirty O'Clock Monday Mrs.
Gresher put in a tardy appearance at
Mrs. Laeey's, where the members Of the
recently organized Dickens club were to
hold their initial meeting.
I'm afraid I'm rather late, but hope
I haven't kept you waiting" Mrs. Gresher
explained. apolegetically, as she entered
the room. I'm perfectly crazy about our
new club. know it's going to be educa-
tional and-and instructive, but my
laundress"- 4
Better late than never. Mrs. Gresher,"
interposed Mrs. Lacy. graciously. Il
think we'd better come to order at once.
1t was Mrs. Porters suggestion. I be-
Iieve, that We form this club for the pur-
pose Of studying Dickens life and works.
Mrs. Potter, you will recall, knows an
English woman whose niece employed the
same laundress who served the Dickens
family. In this way We have gathered
some interesting personal data"
Il hope she was a more dependable
laundress than mine" Mrs Gresher said.
Mine has been dissatisfied ever since
Christmas because ! did not give her
the kind of present she wanted. So to-
day she failed to come at all. have
been hunting everywhere for another"
I'm afraid we housekeepers are born
to these distressing experiences" Mrs.
Lacey commented, sympathetically.
Mrs Porter, we are ready to hear your
paper on The Personal Side Of Dickens
Just a moment" interposed a plump
little woman. My laundress. Mrs.
Gresher. is perfectly splendid. and
think can get her for you II you want
her, though / make II a rule never to
recommend either my laundress or my
dressmaker."
Il hope. Mrs. Jamison, I can prevail
upon you TO break your rule by giving
me the name of your dressmaker," said
a sallow woman dressed In snuff brown.
That's the sweetest gown you're wear
ing. though a darker shade with your
pale blue eyes and light complexion
wouldn't make You look quite so tagged
out, perhaps. John is always wanting
me to wear that delicate shade OF blue. e
Husbands do show so little taste.
Z Huu you lHiUh, MIS-. DpEuSh+ MIs.
Jameson asked sweetly.
. Mrs. Porter. kindly begin" Mrs.
Lacey interposed, firmly,
Mrs. Porter obeyed. She had read six
lines when the hostess small son burst
uneermoniously into the room.
Mamma can have one OF them
sandwiches on the kitchen table and can
TaFt ka. al h.
Isn't he the dearest thing2" Mrs.
Jameson murmured enthusiastically. 80
spontaneous! l love perfectly natural
child"
Mrs. Lacey banished her offspring with
a whispered promise. Mrs. Porter re-
sumed her reading.
When she paused to turn leaf Mrs.
Gresher lamented audibly: i've simply
got TO find laundress"
Il know of a fine washing powder"
Mrs. Borden began, eagerly.
Ladies. Mrs. Porter is waiting" ad-
monlshed Mrs. Lacey.
Mrs. Porter was permitted to read to
the end Of the short paper At the last
word Mrs. Gresher gave a sigh Of re-
lief 1T was splendid" she cried. Il
dote on Dickens. BY the way. has any
one read the fascinating English story
about the maternity or modernlty of
somebody or other? Margaret Ludlow
told me about II. She belongs TO read
ling club where every member buys a
new book once a month and when the
members meet every week they exchange.
II this weren't Dickens club We might
do the same, but imagine one of his every
week.
They're so long" Mrs. Jameson COM
: mented. Don't forget that We meet at
my home next Monday. One is nobody
these days IL one isn't familiar with
Dickens characters. l think Mr.. Pick
wick was simply charmlng--always wait
ing for something 10 turn up, don't you
know"
THAT was Mr.. Mieawber," Mrs. Lacey
observed.
. and dear, delightful Sam Weller
always making note OF things" Mrs.
Iresher added. enthusiastically.
Capt. Cutie was the character who
always said. when found make q note
of It," Mrs. Lacey commented.
'of course" Mrs. Gresher agreed.
amicably Mr.. Gresher told me-he Is
a Dickens lover. too-that Sam Weller
was always advising people to beware
of widows. My advice Is TO beware OF
your laundress. II only knew
THE coffee's ready" announced Master
Lacey from the threshold.
The members Of the Dickens club arose
and passed into the dining room.
We've had a real intellectual feast." "
Mrs. jameson observed. as her eyes
rested appreeiatingly upon the table laden
with dainties.
very" Mrs. Gresher declared heart
fly.
I'm SO glad Joined the club. After
we've finished Dickens / move that we
take up Shakespeare or one Of the popu-
lar authors-or some one"
Try IL.
II IA said the Queen Of Sheba tested
Solomon.s wisdom By bringing before him
an equal number OF boys and girls,
dressed exactly alike. and asking him to
decide which was which. ..--
n. fafhar Of wisdom called for wash