EXCERPTS FROM `HARDSHIP AND HOPE'

From Marie Watkins' letters to R. Burett Oliver:

April 28, 1876

"... We thank you most sincerely for the picture of yourself. I should not have been so impertinent as to ask you for it, had it not been Mama's earnest request, though I must confess I had some curiosity to know what manner of man you are ...

Hoping we will sometime ere long meeting when I am sure we will be good friends if we are not already ..."

August 1879

"Let me thank you now for the confidence you gave me in regard to that unhappy Friday evening ... When you said `I felt that I would give all I possessed to be with you then.' You expressed exactly the feeling that was in my heart, at the very same time. The words rose to my lips and if I had been in my room I should have uttered them -- he is in some trouble (and) is wishing for me. (O)h! if I could only fly to him this instant, how quickly and gladly would I go. Do you know I almost felt frightened, when you told me my presentiment was truth itself. Does it go to prove our souls are one? ...

The flowers were just as fine and sweet as you are, were so fresh and pretty, perfumed the whole room ... Thank you a hundred times. (I)f you were here I would give you the rare jewell of a kiss (they are the richest I have) for them."

From Elizabeth Dierssen's Wednesday Club diary:

October 5, 1911

"The ... subject changed to fall fashions and to the lovely October day. Not obliged to contribute, I was enjoying the sight and sound of them all. The talk was light and good-humored and in no way touched with animus. As for the ladies themselves, they were engaging to behold.

Without staring, I was usually seeing Mrs. Himmelberger, her airy Panama hat with its drooping sash, the pink rose at her belt, her large hands with arms comfortably bare, and the petticoat lace that would sag below a skirt which style made too narrow for women of her size..."

November 15, 1911

"(After the day's program), Mrs. McGhee was called upon for the Round Table on `Our Associated Charities.' She ... wanted to read a paper sent out to the different clubs by Dr. Bishop of St. Louis. It pointed out that club women were no longer working for self culture but were beginning to be a power in the community, and it outlined what was being done and what should be taken up.

The paper was interesting in itself and likewise because of the way the Wednesday Club, after a year or so of garbage cans and vacant lot beautifying have settled back to self-culture.

`How does this man know so much about it?" Mrs. Waters asked.

`Dr. Bishop is a woman," Mrs. McGhee elucidated.

...(After the meeting) the full joy of the afternoon came over me. As I stepped along through the cool twilight, the air flowing over me like a refreshing stream of water after the hours of being housed up, I was pervaded by a feeling of delight in all that had gone on ... (I)t was as if I were carrying, filched from a feast, a merry red apple, nuts to be munched by the fireside, and grapes to be nibbled in the morning. The fragrance of flowers, too, I should be sniffing for hours to come.

In short, I loved the Club."