ON THE WING.

White Ribbon, Volume 30, Issue 352, 18 November 1924, Page 3

ON THE WING.

MX TRACTS FRQM MRS DON’S LETTER. I’uilman Car, En route to Portland, Maine, September 22nd, 1924. Again 1 am in Pullman, en route for Portland, Maine. I stay in Bos >n tonight, where someone cares for me till morning-, then I go on at 11 am. There is a State Convention lasting two days in Maine, at which I am to ?poak. I am to be entertained in the home of a Mrs Hunt, who was a worker with the great Neal Dow, and an intimate friend of the late Lillian Stevenson. 1 am told she cannot walk. She has invited me to her home so that she might have the p’easure of telling me the early history of the Temperance movement.

The Catholics had a wonderful parade in Washington yesterday. Mrs and Miss Lusby and self were out in the car from three till five-thirty, looking at it. The procession be?an at 12 noon, and didn’t finish till 5.30. It will interest you to read about the 90 special trains (each car crowded), although it was Sunday. We drove three times to the railway station, but failed to book a seat. I never saw such crowds in my life. When baulked at every turn, Claire called on tin Traffic Manager (who had been 18 hours on duty). He immediately let m*j have a ticket for the drawing-room,; mode art appointment for 7.45 this morning, exchanged ticket for the Pullman day car; it is most luxurious. Each car or coach is about double the length of ours in New Zealand, and there are 20 such in thin train, all crowded to excess, and jet we are flying. I had one fried egg, two rolls and butter and a pot of tea in the dining car for lunch, which cost 85 cents. A gentleman who was sitt ng opposite me had soup, baked beans, fried potatoes, tea and two peaches, nnd his bill was 1 dollar and 86 cents, so you can see how costly it is. I took the service in the Methodist Church, where Claire Lusby worships, yesterday morning. She had arranged with ihe minister for me to take tne service. When it was over, a group >f deacons asked me to take a mission for them. I empnatically said “No,” but Claire said, “Wait until she comes back.’ ’They had a professional singer to help

in the service. < She sang “The Prodigal” before l gave the address, and when 1 had finished, all on her own initiative, she rose and sang ‘’The Holy City.” I certainly never have heard such soul-singing, or u more glorious voice. I'm sure half of the congrega tion were in tears. I had the temerity to ask if she would sing at my meetings when I returned next month, and she answered, “Yea any time, whenever and wherever your like." After being in the city and railway station for hour’s, we w r ent home to supper, and immediately after to the First Congregational Church, where President Coolidge worships. A large (surpliced) choir of both sexes led the praises, and a solo was sung. The music was very beautiful, but 1 could not hear the words. As for the sermon, “True Modernism.” well, it was so intellectual that 1 scarcely grasped a single point. „I have seen nearly every public building, including the “White House," the whole process of printing the postage stamps and paper money, the Art Galleries, the Museum, and the laboratories where research w r ork is ca’ Tied on. For the first time since my arrival I glimpsed the sea to-day. some time after 1 passed New York. In the southern States we used to travel all day through ‘he country; to-day it has been through cities, large and small. Going into and coming out of New York we went underground, so saw only the outskirts, but w'hat a city! Now we are passing through Connecticut. It will be 9.30 before w’e reach Boston. I shall cease writi.ig now', for It is six o’clock. Next Day. Bostor, 23rd September. I arrived last night. The first person I saw in the crowd was a wearer of a white bow. I only had a small grip, With the barest necessities, but before I reached my destination I wish ed that grip anywhere but with me, for it was burdensome. We travelled through two subways, changed cars twice, and finally got out and walked. I was thankful to leave the deafening noise cf the cars. We came to the W.C.T.U. Headquarters, which makes me long more and more for a similar building in New Zealand. On the ground floor there is the President’s office and parlour; opposite is the Sec retary’s office and Literature Depart ment; at the back a good sized As-

sembly Hall, where walls are draped with mottoes, banners and posters. Here the City and Suburban Unions meet regularly. In the same hall all Executive and District Conventions are held. On the second floor there are bedrooms for the officers who room here, and spare rooms for visitors, one of which 1 occupied last night. Above are two stories with numerous rooms, all occupied by students who room here, but eat out. Early this morning 1 was awakened by the Secretary carrying in a tray, and soon after she brought a small basket, and bade me unload my grip and leave it here till I returned in a month hence. * I said, “My dear lady, I am only carrying Ivare necessities now.” She replied, “Learn to do without them. ’ So I obeyed, unpacked my grip, and am going on a three weeks’ jaunt with very little impedimenta. You never will know what 1 think of our organisation. It is simply wonderful. One finds an open door and a hearty welcome every-

where, among women who are saints of God, and the very salt of the earth. The Secretary here is old, wrinkled and grey, but she carries a spiritual atmosphere and fragrance that one feels immediately she comes near. Dear soul, she is taking me out to lunch, and then through these sub-w'ays to continue my journey at noon for Portland, Maine. She says, “Honey, be on time," so to be on time I must close right now. lAter. I Providence, Rhode Island, October 2nd. The days have flown since I wrote my bust open letter, and much has happened since then. I did not tell you, when I last wrote, that travelling through New York, we crossed a dirtylooking river, and later w'e crossed a huge circular bridge. I found out that it was Hells Gate Bridge, and the river was the Hudson. I told you about my staying at Boston W.C.T.U. Headquarters all night, and how' I heard that Mrs Howland had moved to Connecticut, but I did not tell ou that on arrival at Portland a fine woman looked at me so hart! that I was constrained to ask her if she was a White Ribboner. “Yes," she replied. “I’m looking for Mrs Don; I w'ant a ‘spot* and an interview'." I do not know yet what she meant by a spot, unless it was a snap-shot; but she is responsible fer the write up I sent, and a great

deal more I did not send. I had a gloriously happy time with my elderly hostess, who was intimate with Prances Willard, and has grown up from childhood in our work. She knew Neal Dow, and knows the family, and so ar nuiged the interesting visit 1 had in their home, where everything is kept as Neal 1 \>w and his wife were carried out of it. Colonel Neal Dow, the son, is 82 years rf age, and has all the vim and vigour of a man at 50. He showed me his father’s books and possessions, the old china, etc. His father was born in a house across the road, but the family had lived where they now are for over 100 years. Mrs Hunt also took me to Longfellow’s home, which the State purchased and hold us a museum. 1 also saw many historic places, but enjoyed nothing better than a sail in a motor launch round the harbour, and from the water viewing many places of interest. The chief event of my visit to Maine was the Jubilee Celebrations, which were the best I have been in as yet. There were over 200 delegates from all over the States; they met in the First Baptist Church which was beautifully decorated with banners, mottoes, hags and flowers. On Ithe opening night they had a banquet in the largest city hotel. After four courses, the ceremony began. A giant birthday cake w'as tamed in on a table surrounded by large candles, four little girls representing the four years of National Prohibition, followed, carrying lighted torches, with which they lit the candles, typical of the Prohit it ion Beacon lights, af terwards cutting and distributing the cake, w’hile the choir sung ‘’Ring, Swung, Jubilee Bells,” and other songs specially composed for the occasion. My hostess, as oldest member present, made the welcome speech to delegates and friends followed by Mrs Leavitt (daughter of the late Lillian Stevens), who told us how in that very building, at a “get together dinner, ” Frances Willard accepted the position as iTesi dent of the W.C.T.U., and years after, when Maine w’ent back on Prohibition, Lillian Stevens called her Executive together in the self-same building an< made historic speech about wome,. not recognising the word defeat, and oonsecrat.ng themselves to the work till death or victory. Colonel Dow’ follow’ed, givii g an epitome of the reforms he enrf Ms father had seen in their life time. They personally knew’ Abraham Lincoln, Harriet (Beecher Stowe, John

Brown, and numerous others, and could teil thrilling stories of the past. Mrs <juimby, State President, followed with a brief history of the W.C.T.U. in Maine. 1 war. the last speaker on ‘The World’s Work” of the W.C.T.U. The lianquet began at a quarter to seven, and finished at a quarter to eleven. I do not think any of the guests left before the end. The next two days included three or four pageants some very fine speeches, and thrilling music. Four women, called the Gloria Trumpeters, were brought from New’ York. They were dressed in flowing robes of white satin, made Greek fashion, 'with gold bands, and gold slippers. In the day time they had two children’s pageants, one patriotic. The children marched in, accompanied by a juvenile orchestra, led by the standard-bearers. They saluted the flag, then pointing to it, said in unison their oath of allegiance, repeated the declaration of loyalty to the flag, their temperance pledge, then sang the “Starspangled Banner,” and marched out. Later came the L.T.L.’s, heralded by a fanfare of trumpets by the tr'mpeters who also gave a thirty minutes’ programme, which was excellent. The mass meeting at night Opened with another pageant. Twelve old ladies, whose ages w’ere from 72 to 92, dressed in the fashion of 50 years ago, walked in twos up each aisle, meeting at the altar. One of them read the

Crusade Psalm, all knelt in prayer, then all walked out, whilst an invisible choir sang “Give to the winds thy fears.” They changed their garb, and tame in with 12 young girls carrying streamers of white and gold ribbons. All gathered on the platform, and the great audience, led by pipe organ, trumpeters. and a grand piano, sang "All Hail <he Jubilee.” On the wave of th&t enthusiasm I rose to speak. 1 had an hour to say all 1 wanted to say, and took all the time at my disposal. The next morning’s session was the l»est of all. The President and her officers were all re-elected bouquets were presented, and the President gave me iher gavel, w hich has a history. They cheered the New Zealand women, sent greetings to them, prayed for them; then all joined hands and sang “God be with you till we meet again,” aid so elosed Maine’s Jubilee Corven .in. My hostess extended her hospitality for three days, that I might take a Sunday service in the same church, and visa the vV.C.T.U. Home for Old

Women, where I gave a talk on New Zealand. 1 left at 8 o’clock on Monday morning, and arrived here (Boston) at noon, wrote in the Railway Station writing room till the express came along at 4 o’clock, then came on here. On my arrival I took a taxi to the Prosklent's home; she whs just about to go out to meet me. She gave me a loving welcome, got into the same taxi, and brought me here, telling me that l could have three clear days before 1 began my programme. 1 wrote the whole of ihe first day and part of t>’ second then went with a lady who is visiting this home to a display in a big drape y store. The display was foi matronly and stout women. They had seven very stout women parading be. fore large crowds; they were showing garments, from under-skirts to op *ra Cloaks, but I might say in passing that, althougn the show was as good as any cinema show, the clothes were beyond the means of any but the very wealthy class. From there we drove home to supper (three miles), then out again to a unique church socijU in connection with the Women's Guild 1 only wish that 1 had time to tell you about it; I heartily enjoyed the novelty of the w’hole thing. I was invited by my hostess, but as per usual I was let in for a speech. 1 met there a leading woman, w r ho invited me to a Democratic Convention. She called for me at 9 o’clock in the morning, and there I gained my first practical experience of the U.B.A. general election. Crowds of men and women gathered from every town and village in Rhode Island to

nominate a Governor, Senator, and other State officers. (The' Democratii nominations came off last week.) This was the Republic nominations. Going in. we w’ere presented with buttons, and put them all on. At first I enjoyed eve-ything, but as the morning stretched till noon, and noon till 2.30, with no adjournment for lunch I got “sort-a tired of it. The band, w’hich played at intervals, began to deafen me, the toliacco smoki- to choke me, the packed building to suffocate me, and the speeches to weary me, till finally I had to ask the lady to put me on the trolly, homewards. She brought me home at 2ft to 3 p.m„ and hurried back without food oi drink.