THE SMILERS' CLUB.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 1682, 2 June 1919, Page 8

THE SMILERS' CLUB.

, DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS. j President Wilson is a member of the binders' Club, Sir Douglas Haig another member, and although Mr Lloyd George has not actually joined he has Trccepte'd a eopy.gf ihe.rj:\ies.-and under-! 'taken • "to endeavour to comply." Quite a story attaches to the forma,,°f club (says the London "Daily Chronicle"). When our lads/ were having an appalling time at Passchendale, and black clouds filled the national sky. certain regular passengers in the 9.22 from Thornton Heath declined to abandon their cheery optimism. The star of hope continued to grow "11 their hearts, smiles of patient confidence still shone from their eves, and they dissuaded fellow-travellers from succumbing to the dumps. From being merely conspicuous the mental attitude of these ainostles of cheerfulness became contagious, and in a few months (i.e., in the first quarter of last year) it was by no mc-ans unusual, on the 9.22 to' hear one person say to another: "Hello.! Are you one of the smilers, too?" Soon there were so many Uiiat 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 011 wheels, which makes a daily journey to town, picking up its members, with an admixtures of outsiders, 'at convenient stopping-places. On the window of the compartment occupied by officials of the society is a conspicuous placard bearing the inscription "Smile." For postal convenience there is a non-migratory headquarters: 43 Grange road, South Norwood, London, S.E. The society lias a big membership, daily growing. and representing all clases of society and all parts of the world. President Wilson, whose smile has captivated Europe, joined with M. Clemenceau. Other members are Sir Douglas Haig, Lord Jellicoe. Aomlral Sir Roger Keyes, and Mr George Roh&y. The late Lord Rhondda was one of the first honorary members. Here are some of the rules: Do your best to cheer others, and by imparting happiness to others you will be made happy yourself.' Keep on looking for the bright bine skies. Keep on hoping that the sun will risei Keep on smiling though the Iwhole world sighs. And you'll g e t there in the morning. Do your best by example and procept to convert gloomy persons, and get them to join the order. Asked to become a member in one of the blackest periods of the war, Mr Lloyd George wrote that he had much pleasure in accepting a copy e.f the