The herald., 1897-09-26

mans Temperance Association with af-
ty members, when Miss Jessie Acker-
mann came to Iceland with her two
companions. Miss Ruth Shaffner and
Miss Mana Pratt, two years ago. Their
coming was a great advantage for the
Union, which now became branch of
the Worlds Woman's Christian Tenn
perance Union, having about 200 mem-
bers when our American friends left US.
Since the Association was founded,
have been it's President, longing to do
my best for it, though feeling it wanted
more than I had to offer. Last sum-
Der I went to several places in the
country, holding temperance lectures
and founding branches where could.
Travelling in Iceland, which is all on
the backs Of ponies. would seem
strange to people accustomed to COM
munication by steam and electricity.
About the middle of May had to walk
over mountains where we sunk to the
knee in snow and water, and in July
1 rode for two days over valleys Of
sand and lava, with torrents of glacier
water between mountains covered with
eternal snow, never melted since age
of ice went over the earth, except
where the fire burning in the bosom Of
the earth has made it's way through the
mountains and changed the snow to
torrents, destroying everything in their
way. But these deserts also have their
beauty; and when the traveller after
many days comes down to the valleys,
where the small farm houses lie on the
banks of glittering rivers, or in the long
shadows from mountains covered with
the colors Of the setting sun, it Is a
scene that prompts him to worship in
stiffness without words. We dwell in
ecstacies of harmony. And when we
are called to satisfy the more material
senses no royal meal could taste bet
ter than the meal taken in a farm
house after riding on horseback for
several hours.
That winter I went to Eyrerbakki,
one days journey from Reykjavik,
holding a temperance lecture there, and
on the return encountered a snow
storm, so heavy that nothing was to
be seen, neither road nor way marks,
except the fields Of snow which so cas-
lily might have become our grave.
At this time we have in Iceland about
$50 members beside the Juvenile Asso-
citation of $50 children. Our branches
of work are the Juvenile work and
Flower Mission.
I came to America for the purpose
of being at the Worlds Woman's Tenn
perance Union convention at Toronto,
this autumn; to grow acquainted with
the w. C. T. U. work and its leaders
and workers, and to see as much OF
America, and the American people as
1 could. My three American friends,
more than anything else, having awak-
ened my interest for America and my
respect for the high-minded men and
women of this country. Your nation ap-
pears to me as impulsive, bold, active,
gay, and trustful as youth itself.
I have, after writing my thoughts
in English dictated this to my friend
knowing that you prefer the typewrit-
ten manuscript.
Thanking you for your interest In my
coming to America, am
Very sincerely yours.
OLAFIA JOHANNSDOTTIR.
Miss Johannsdottir has what we
should call in this country a strong
political pull through her relatives, who
reared her after her parents death
Her uncle is speaker of the Lower
House of the National Council, and hel
aunt is prominent in public movements
of every kind. 1t is not. therefore, sur.
prising that Olaf1a should be the ac.
knowledged leader among the womer
of her country. 1t Is her ambition tt
bring the women Of Iceland to posi-.
tion Of equality with men-and thus fal
she has been remarkably successful.
Copyright, 1897 by Bachelor Syndicate