THE SMILERS’ CLUB.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16448, 31 May 1919, Page 5

THE SMILERS’ CLUB.

DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS. President Wilson is a member of the Smilers’ Club, Sir Douglas Haig another member, and although Air. Lloyd George has not actually joined, ho has accepted a copy of tho rules and undertaken “to endeavour to comply.” Quito a story attaches to the formation of the club (says the. Daily Chronicle). When our lads were having an appalling time at Passchendaelo, and black clouds tilled tho national sky, certain regular passengers in tho 9.22 from Thornton Health declined to abandon their cheery optimism. Tho star of hope continued to glow in their hearts, smiles of patient confidence still shone from their eyes, and they dissuaded fellowtravellers from succumbing to the dumps. INFECTIOUS OPTIMISM. From being merely conspicuous, the mental attitude of those apostles of cheerfulness became contagious, and in a. few months (i.e., in the first quarter of last year) it was by no means unusual, on tho 9.22, to hear one person gay to another, “Hello! Are you one of the smilers, too?” •, . Soon there were so many that it occurred to someone that they ought to form themselves into a society. They did so, taking the name of A.O.S. (Ancient Order of Smilers), adopting the star of hope for their badge, and appointing officers. • Since then the 9.22 from Thornton Heath has enjoyed a character, perhaps unique among suburban trains, of being a sort of lodge on wheels, which makes a daily journey to town, picking up ite members, with an admixture of outsiders, at convenient stopping places. On tho window of the compartment occupied by officials of the society is a conspicuous placard bearing the injunction “Smile.”

For postal convenience there is a nonmigatory headquarters Road, South Norwood, London, S.E. TO CONVERT THE GLOOMY. The society has a big membership, daily growing, and representing all classes of society and all parts of the world. President Wilson, whoso smile has captivated Europe, joined with M. Clemenceau. Other members are Sir Douglas Haig, Lord Jellicoe, Admiral Sir Roger Keyes, and Mr., George Robey. The late Lord Rhondda was one of the first honorary members. Here are some of the rules: —

Do your best ts cheer others, and by imparting happiness to others you will be made happy yourself. Keep on looking for tho bright blue blue skies, Keep on hoping that the sun will rise, Keep on smiling though tho whole world sighs, And you’ll got there in the morning. Dq your best by example and precept to convert gloomy persons, and get them to join the order. Asked to become a'member in one of tho blackest periods of the war, Mr. Lloyd George wrote that he had much pleasure in accepting a copy of tho rules, “with which he will endeavour to comply,” and added that he thought the, object of the order was a splendid one.

Preparations are on foot for opening a branch in Paris.