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THE REAL COWGIRL

'WOMAN'S CLUB IN SANDHILLS.

Far away from tho whistle of ongines and even the chug of motor-cars, where roads are only a dream of the future, in the heart of the sandhills of Nebraska, U.S.A., is a woman's club. The club has neither officers nor dues, it studies neither pragmatism nor Ibsen, it has only one ideal —neighbour. liuoas. Tho spirit of this club, the woman whose kindly nature felt the need of a wider sympathy and understanding among the women in that lonely country, is Mrs. Lulu Hudson. Her home is near Simeon, Nebraska; her Bfe is the life of the bravo pioneer woman in a new country; her interests are ivith the brave pioueer woman; but Jher idea is to bring these women together and into a closer affiliation with the live world outside the quiet homestead country. Mrs. Hudson cays that at is true that the sandhills nro a good place for men and dogs, but a mighty poor place for women and horsefr. The men had their brandings and their round-ups, kit the women had i(iothing to vary their daily routine until the club started , .

Mrls. Hudson gives the credit of starting the club to "our cowboy husbands." However true that may be, they certainly make its fulfilment possible. One day in every two weeks is seft aside for fathers in Simeon to acquire a mother's point of view. One day isvery two weeks husbands are given tho privilege of getting a housewife'sl point of view. This is one and the same day. On that day the husband of every club member become both nursemaid and maid-of-all-work, and he learns at first hand of the trials and tribulations which every sandjiill wife knows bo "well. But ho has pledged himself, and so far there are. no complaints.

And on that blessed holiday every wife starts out for her club, and she drives slowly across baro grazing country. She stops to let down pates, slio drives ou through moro open sand stretches until at last, perhaps after 10 or 12 miles riding, meeting no one unless it bo a lone school child with a dinner pail or a gay little sandhill "schooUmarm," she reaches her club. The club members stay all day. They scorn the two-hour business meeting. There aro no minutes, no election of new members,. for it "is n- club ,vithout organisation, and every neighbour is a member." And neighbours often live ten or more miles away. '

Tho business of the club is the day's duties of the hostess. It may he card-

ing wool or making a tiny layette; perhaps it is hanging curtains; but it is sure to be. something that will lighten the, work of the housewife for the coming week. The i.ostess serves the dinner, and offers the choicest of her garden or game to the club. Tho women discuss tilings of common ' intcrest-ybooks and schools, recipes and legislature; they exchange ideas of domestic economy and patterns for crochet; they read, stories apd articlos; in fact, they do everything except gossip. "No gossip" is the cne rule of the club,-and that is ftn unwritten law. ' ■ • • '

The club has been an ovoluvion. It has worked itself out, as Mrs. Hudson 'says, according to community reeds. In its wake have come friendliness and a broader understanding, <md sympathy among its members. Its memherß are becoming known ca women who coolc well, ontertain easily, and look out 'for tho ■ best interests of thoir families. The brilliance that casts a shadow finds no place in the club, hut tho spirit of friendliness is supremo there. There is no ago limit; the oldest grandmother and the youngest hide are alike eligible for membership. And hecaiise the exchange of ideas between grandmothers and brides is usually practically helpful, the meetings are always well attended.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19171229.2.12.2

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 81, 29 December 1917, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
640

THE REAL COWGIRL Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 81, 29 December 1917, Page 4

THE REAL COWGIRL Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 81, 29 December 1917, Page 4

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