se
were all the officers considered necessary, but Sydney, Evelyn and Lulu
were appointed a committee to visit the poor families in the
neighborhood and learn what articles of clothing were most needed by
them.

It was decided that the society should meet once a fortnight at one or
the other of the homes of its members, taking them in turn; that at
these meetings reports should be given in as to the state of the
finances, work done, and articles needed; finished garments would also
be brought in, examined and pronounced upon as well or ill done; the
members would busy themselves in cutting and basting new garments while
together, and each carry home with her one or more to be made in the
interval between that and the next meeting.

Also each member was to consider herself under appointment to invite
her young girl, or young lady friends, from other families to join with
them in the good work.

"Now I think that is all," said Grandma Elsie; "you are fully organized
and I invite you to hold your first meeting at Ion, next Wednesday
afternoon. That will give time for ascertaining the needs of some of
those we wish to assist, and the purchase of materials."

"But how are your funds to be raised?" asked her father.

"By a tax on the members, and contributions from their friends, which
will be thankfully accepted," she said with a pleased smile as he took
out his pocket-book and handed her a five dollar bill. "We are very much
obliged, sir."

The captain and other gentlemen present--some of the ladies
also--immediately followed Mr. Dinsmore's example.

Then the question of the amount of tax on the members was discussed and
settled.

After that the captain said he had a suggestion to make; namely that it
would be well for the little girls to be accompanied by an older person
when making their visits to their proposed beneficiaries.

"It will require some wisdom and tact to make the necessary
investigations without wounding the feelings of those they desire to
benefit, or injuring their commendable pride of independence," he said
in conclusion.

"Thank you for the advice, captain," Grandma Elsie replied; "I think it
most wise. What have the members of the society to say about it?"

All responded promptly that they would prefer to have an older person
with them on those occasions.

"And we'd better begin that business to-morrow," said Zoe, "that whoever
is to do the buying of materials to be cut and basted at the