Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-19

T HE social calendar these days is enough
TO put in mind of a famous book
by the late Gilbert Hubbard. 1t was a
n handsome volume. as beautiful a bound
thing ever out of East Aurora,
and the right size, not too big, excellent thing
in II book This work entitled AN Essay
Silence" and 1t usually came to one as a gift
from some friend. 1t laid away for future
reading one felt, taking it from its wrappings,
that II was something more than passing rare
special tidbit OF philosophy with underlying
vein Of the artist in it, little recurrent note all
TOO fine for the ordinary hour.
At last came the psychological moment when y
wanted to read Fra Elbertus silence, and
the book taken down and opened.
Its pages we're cIeah' OF a single word 1t held
Il perfect silence
If only we might put out such calendar these
Lenten days
But, speaking OF books reminds that It is
said that many books of divers import are now
being read in Omaha. especially among the set
that have been dancing, bridging, skating. dining
end fitting away the gay just passed.
In fact reading seems the popular penance
of the season
The books leading the sale, It almost goes
without saying, the Russian atrocities lately
described with such pathological exactness by a
certain oxford man TO a select assemblage of
boom In these books is enough to make give
wonder il their publisher has not found a unique
way OF sending forth publicity man.
Since Lent has commenced in all earnest seri-
Gus books have come forward with a great bound,
end tired business men, who formerly asked for
the latest detective tale demanding something
that will bring hack the deep, deep thoughts of
youth" once more to their consciousness.
other years books for Lenten reading lay on
they selling fast they be supplied
OF course it is the war. some are saying But
humanity has always moved to extremes, and, per-
haps, II Is only time for the pendulum to swing to
the other end OF mortals fancy
1t is reading Lent above everything else and
there is not half the covert afternoon bridging
that was hintod earlier in the month
One book which is getting a quick grasp on
select favor is The Book of the Homeless" sold
for the benefit of the Franco Belgian Relief So
elety and the war orphans.
The brightest spot in the events of the peni-
tential season is the home coming of the school
set on their Easter vacations Two girls got home
yesterday from New York the daughters of two
very popular matrons. But there will be nothing
doing for the younger set this Easter vacation
the odict has gone out from the mothers.
THE school set were rushed to death during
the Christmas vacation" said a prominent woman
this afternoon there seemed something doing all
the time. girl home from her school last
Christmas had exciting time OF 1t as a de-
butante. l hardly got a sight OF my own daughter
during the whole time. Now, when she gets home,
she must devote herself to her mother-she must
stay with quietly and talk and answer all the
questions meant to ask her during the holidays"
The Franco Belgian Relief society. with its
all-day sessions and fortnightly meetings. brings
added Lenten activities. Much OF the sewing OF
the season is now going to the hospitals of France
The appeal has lately gone out for 5000 pairs OF
socks. wanted Immediately; shirts paiamas, un-
bleached sheeting and cotton flannel for the hos
pital wards and operating rooms The wounds of
the high-power shells of modern artillery are OF
such nature that the clothing of the pa
tients is quickly destroyed in the hospitals and
the constant demand for new garments, especially
shirts and underwear.
The Unitarian society give social meeting and
candy sale at their parish house Wednesday even
ing. A musical program, with readings and recita-
tions will also be given.