AN OLD MAID’S SOCIETY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2378, 30 October 1880, Page 4

AN OLD MAID’S SOCIETY.

The Old Maids’ Association of Geaugos County 7 , O. (says the “Hew York Tribune ”) held a picnic on the lake recently 7 , and mustered 86 souls. This Society 7 was an outgrowth of the Avar, and Avas organised in 1862 by a bevy 7 of young ladies,whose brothers and sweethearts Averc lighting for their country, and left them Avithont the resources of male escort, except the laggards who remained at home. Unwilling to accept the gallantry 7 of these young men, the young ladies preferred to depend upon themselves, and formed the association mentioned. Out of revenge the gallants dubbed those independent damsels “ old maids,” and they accepted the name and made it their own. A humorous constitution and byelaAvs were drafted by Mrs C. E. Henry, then a single young lady, and one of the institution. Man was declared the “ common enemy,” and one of the chief objects of the society 7 Avas a continued Avar against his advances. He was religiously excluded from all the meetings, and a special clause of the bye-laws said that any member who should marry 7 should bo lined 100 big copper cents, and to be branded in tar on the soles of her feet, “U.D.1.,” meaning “up and done it.” The beautiful consistency of woman’s nature will be appreciated Avhen it is known that every one of the charter members, and nearly all of eligible age since, are married.