Every town must have a "ladies" group whose sole purpose is to meet and strengthen the bonds of sisterhood. We have many in my small town of South St Paul (including the Mid-Week Study group, not to be confused with the Monday Study group) and they have been in existance for 70 or more years. So I found it amusing when I came across this article written in the Warren sheaf, February 20, 1902.
THE WEDNESDAY CLUB.
The Members of the Warren Club Royally Entertained by the Argyle Ladies.
EDITOR SHEAF:—Wednesday morning, January 12th, when the bells chimed the hour often in Warren, women could be seen coming
from every direction, some came with
their arms full of books, some with
satchels and some with bags full of
something, which I found
out later was literature, and others with rolls after the manner of the Egyptians. All were apparently in great haste and going in the same
direction,
toward the Great Northern Depot. By breaking my former record of speed I managed to reach the depot
platform just as the
Secretary of Wednesday Club arrived. The thought came to me that they must be
having a meeting up the line somewhere and the secretary
being young and inexperienced would be glad to
give me the job of reporting the
meeting. When she had sufficiently
recovered from her
race with the train to be able to speak, she told me there was to be a meeting in Argyle and
I was installed as reporter at once, was to pay
my own car fare up and back, and they would board me.
During the day many people in Warren remarked the unusual quiet the city was enjoying which led to the inquiry, why? Why, thirteen
women had gone to Argyle that morning. The Wednesday Club were invited to meet with Mrs. Hunter, (who has been a member for years),
And thirteen of these literary
lights had accepted the invitation: it
was these women that tried their
speed down the street and through the
alleys en-route to the depot. The train came in due time and all were soon as comfortable as could
be in a-crowded coach. Some of the
ladies were so very pleasantly
situated, they seemed quite reluctant to leave the car, but when the
precious burden was deposited in Argyle,
all responded to roll call.
Mr. Hunter met the delegation and piloted us through the city to his home, satchels, bags, bundles,
rolls, and papers, all safe. We received
such a hearty welcome from our old friends and
neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Hunter, it made us
feel doubly glad to be there. After the hand
shaking was through with the book, bundles, rolls, were safely put away for
future reference, and each had been
informed that the others
were either
well or not very well, or somewhat better, and the weather had been
sufficiently discussed, we were invited to lay aside our
work and repair to the dining room, where the table was laid for the crowd. It would be
easier for me to say what was not on the table
than what was there. The menu covered all the delicacies of
the season which we enjoyed to the
fullest extent. (It was at this time I
began to realize what a bargain I had struck getting my office as
reporter.)
The dining room was very handsome and appropriately decorated. Mrs. Erikson produced a most
elegant card, an appropriate drawing
on the front and name of guest on the back, with national colors, forming in all a very unique and
attractive souvenir of the occasion.
After the dinner was over this
constellation of eloquence, beauty and adornment was placed under the the guiding hand of Mrs. Hunter,
who had charge of program.
When our tasks for the day were ended and the clock struck the
hour of four, (several ladies of Argyle
were present to hear the program),
all were invited with us, to Mrs.
Melgaard for lunch. There was no time to lose before train. Mrs. Melgaard has a lovely home
and her table was laden with more good things than I can tell you about, everything au fait. While we feasted we were cheered
by piano music and all went merry until time for us to leave. Every minute of that day was
thoroughly enjoyed. Women, books, bags
and bundles were all safe in Warren
Wednesday evening. The only regret was that the day didn't contain
more hours.
REPORTER
Although the little touches of elegance or protocal may have changed, not much else has.
