National Republican., 1878-01-18
MISS BERTHA yOy HTLLERN.
A Haif-Hour's Chat with the Great Pcde,
trIenue


Mis- Bertha Won Hilcrn who makes her bow to
Washngtonans tomorrow evening, at odd Eel.
lows Hall, has created Jtror among the fashiona
blcs1 throughout the North aud West, scarcely
cIualcd by the most noted prfmn donnd'. Among
the ladies especially has she been made the heroine
aud everywhere her quiet, unostentatlous manner
and winning ways have won her friends Whose
name is legion. Her astonishing pedestrian feats
have developed a condition Of physical endurance
that puzzles the scientists and rcvolutonizes the
theory Of womans inuapacity for muscular hard
ship At her Si0mic walk at the Boston Music
Hail. that Nri,t0crutic cdfce presented the singular
spectacle OF ladies sitting up all night to cheer their
little myorite by their presence She, petite being,
weighing scarcely lO6 pounds. has time and again.
by her perseverance, wrought the largest audience
up 70 the most intense enthusiasm.
former and present iife would be Interesting, re-
porter OF the REruBLIcAS called upon Miss Won
lIillern. at the Imperial Hotel lie found himself
sique suggested anything but a strong g.limbcd pc.
destricnne. The reporter asked when she first
began to make specially OF walking.
when was a girl, In Germany" replied Miss
Won llillcrn, there was a great deal OF interest
taken In walking, and used to take pleasure in
slrolling along the beautiful road, and In entering
young ladies of my age
When did you first appear in public in this
In December. 1876 first appeared II was at
Boston. when succeeded in walking $50 miles IN
six days. A few weeks later, at the same place,
walked eighty eight miles in twentySix hours. AZ
ter this | made successful walks at Providence,
Lowell, Lawrence, Portland, and other places"
How many miles have you walked in public
during the fourteen months since your debmF
let me sec. About 2.aiO In ALL"
Have you usually been successfuS'
Yes; twice was defeated OH account OF the ex.
trcme heat"
What do you thluk of your chances of success
hcrcg'
II never max, prediction" was the reply. but
always do the best can. This hall Is the smallest
| ever walked in. aud II Is much morc tircsomc to
make twenty circuits to the mile than eighteen
or nineteen, as Is usually the case. have often
been annoyed by persons, especially ladies, who
wish to walk with me. but always expressly de-
than II helps. Amer the twentieth mile my bust.
ness manager. Mr.. Thomas. walks with me ut inter
yals. By the way, that reminds me of an amusing
incident one day last summer, as ! was taking
my usual practice walk Of twenty-five miles In the
country with Mr. Thomas, cOuntryman In his
wagon overlook us. Mr.. Thomas who. always
rides when he can. asked the man for a seat. Not
by long chalk he replied "A man Of your legs
ought TO be able to walk. Let the young lady ride.
II was with great difficulty that made him
understand the situation, aud that was walking
for business"
Miss Won Hillcrn as Is her custom before under
rested at her rooms nl day yesterday, emitting her
usual exercise and will rest and sleep all day to-day
so as to he perfectly fresh at the start odd Fellows
Hall will he open to-day for persons who wish to
inspect the sawdst track laid out by the District
Engineer. During the twenty-siX hours the band
will not leave the hall. The judges book will be
in charge Of members of tho pres.