Norwich bulletin., 1914-08-29
AN EXPERIENCE MEETING

 drops down for a few moments on whichever couch is nearest
 ''She says that she accomplishes more and is in a better state of pres ervation at the end ef the day than if she worked right on until everything was done"
 There are people" said Joan. flor whom an afternoon nap is not lux ury but rather a necessity"
 T verify believe" replied Aunt Ab- by. that half the patients in sanitari- ums and rest cures are there because of their own imprudence. If people would take time as they go along tc rest they would not break down and De compelled for a long time to do noth- ing but rest"
 ulated Sally Sycamore, as she broke off her thread with unnecessary empha- sis. Ifs stinting on the necessities of life in order to spend upon show or ornament. Misguided mortals there are who in winter will go without fan nels in order to spend money for fancy neckwear or even for jewelry" They, said Maine Lover, sbelong in the same class with those who have elaborate and expensive desserts and sparinsly provide fresh vegetables and fruit"
 When I was a child" commenced Huldy. T thought my grandmother must be very rich and generous. When she entertained the table groaned be- meath a load of dainties rich and rare. In later years realized that, for her family. the periods before and after the feast were ones of semi-starya- tion.''
 Great Grandma now exclaimed: q am glad that so many of you share my views. Overcarefulness in the use of things might be said to be the New Englanders besetting perversion of economy. In my childhood and youth 1t was considered almost a crime to allow the fresh air and sunshine in any rooms but the kitchen and dining room. Lest sunshine should fade the wall papers and carpets and dampness and dust injure the lace curtains, the rest of the rooms were shut up like vaults"
 T do not think" answered Aunt Sarah, that the people who. were brought up in that way are as blame worthy as those of the present genera tion who resist the gospel of fresh air and sunshine and make their houses gloomy and unhomelike"
 Speaking of unhomelike houses" Ruth remarked, reminds me of Aunt Jemina's handsome and stately but cold and cheerless mansion. But a small portion of the furnishing was for comfort; the rest was for ornament and show Even the front stairs, of beautiful wood highly polished, were considered too good for daily use. The family travelled up and down the nar-- row, iIl-hghted back stairs. One day Aunt Jemina,s aged mother fell down those stairs and broke her hip.
 The saddest result of Aunt Jemina's unreasonable economy was that her only daughter was not happy because her friends did not enjoy coming to her home.
 Aunt Jemina thought she was do- ing a great deal for Stella, for she was occasionally allowed to entertain her young friends with up-to-date lunch cons. card parties and dances. But honey intimacy which girls so love No one of Stella's friends would pre- sume to drop in unexpectedly to lunch or run over. unbfdden. of an afternoon with her fancy work.
 When anyone called the maid ush- cred her into the alright. dimIy light ed reception room. Never by any chance was she invited up to Stella's room.
 Stella gradually spent less time at home and more in the homes of her friends. Her dearest friend had a handsome brother who was jolly and good hearted, but weak and easily led Roberts family was poor; money was the idol of Stella's family. and when the young people fell in love they did not dare to tell Stella's parents. so they eloped
 'Stella's mother realized her mis- take. but it was too late. Although she begged the young people to come home at least until Robert could find a bet ter position, they refused. They felt that they could not be comfortable and happy in Aunt Jemina's house
 So they rented a much larger house than they could comfortably pay for out of Roberts salary. Stella had but little knowledge of the value of money and less about practical housekeeping Robert kept straight for a while but when he found that they were getting into debt he became discouraged and then he got to drinking
 Poor Aunt Jemina now has the mis- cry of seeing her only daughter the wife of a dissipated man and inc mother of frail and unhealthy chill dren.'
 The silence which followed the con- clusion of Ruth's narrative was broken by Merry Widow, who said:
 We are having a genuine experi ence meetingi"
 Yes replied Chore Girl. "only the experiences were not our own, but those of our relatives and friends"
 They say, remarked Patience, that experience is expensive; but it is one of the few things that we might have without cost if only we were willing to profit by the experience of others"
 We are not.'' replied c. Saw. Each one wants to make her own experi- ence."
 Aunt Mehitable cast a swift don't you tell look at Married and Happy. then said:
 T have not the courage to confess my besetting perversion of economy. but am constrained to say that from hence forth shall strive to practice it no more"
 So say we. all of usl" chanted her Social Corner sisters.