Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-05
Chapter K.

SAdPtCA A.
1t was a liberal education in the size and
impetus of the club movement to be on the
edge of the current that swirled into the
Great Blank Theater the morning of the
opening exercises Nine hundred and forty
seven earnest devoted women delegates
were intent on reaching their seats in the
quickest possible time, while nearly thou
sand more, although mere visitors, were
evidently determined to secure front seats
where they could see and hear. California
locked arms in the scramble with Maine;
Georgia was determined to get there ahead
of New York; Minnesota jostled Massachu-
sets; even little Rhode Island pushed
bravely ahead of big Texas. while they all
rushed by in solid phalanX of silk petit
coated femininity.
/ had come away, in the excitement or the
morning, without my credential card. and
discovered my lack only when I had been
borne INTERESTINGLY on the tide more than
half way up to the big green baize doors
at the end of the foyer.
you'll have to go back for it, said Mrs.
Parsons. There is no other way; but I'll
save a good seat for you. Hurry, now.
Hurrying against that mad rush? lmpos-
sible l wormed my way to the edge and
got out at a snails pace
"It reminds me of the rush for seats at
a symphony rehearsal in Boston, said a
Denver woman who spent her winters In
the east. I've been taken up bodily and
carried along ten feet in the old Music
Hail."
1t reminded me of a stampede of cattle
in q Kansas roundup, but didn't see fit to
say so So I flattened myself against the
wall while Illinois and Indiana and Ohio
and Wyoming and Vermont and New Jersey
and all the other federated states pushed
and scrambled in the mad procession.
But l finally reached the street and was
hurryng on when I met Minnie Morrison.
did you see the story?" she exulted.
- HIM
women have been at me this morning try
ing to find out where 1 got my informa-
tion.''
"You haven't told them?" I gasped.
II reckon not" was the cool reply. Il
shut them up finally by telling them any
one could get the whole story. and more,
too, by standing around in the hotel with
ones ear open-they all chatter SO freely
and so openly. They let me alone after
that. And now what's the prospect for a
row today? Are the colored and polyg-
amous sisters seated?'
I told her I had only dipped into the
edge of the maelStrom as yet, and advised
her to wait until the delegates had gained
their seats.
Come late and avoid the rush, is my
motto always at these meetings." she re-
piled. I've had my experience in being
half stripped OF my outside clothing. I
went to Louisville and to Philadelphia. And
I've been to score of w. c. L. Z. and
w. r. c. and suffrage and several other
going to depend on you to keep me inform
ed she added.
'Oh. dear me, no." answered 81 know
so little Of their ways. Go to Mrs. Par
sons. She is hand and gloves with the
real leaders,"
Miss Morrison went her way with
smile her face, but 1 knew she would
extort from me every bit of information
could muster, and that l was powerless
against her.
When 1 reached the theater again the
foyer was deserted except for the few
struggling ones who had dared to be late.
A big policeman stood at the door and
looked at my credential card as I held it
up. Inside. group of white-gowned ushers
in college caps were trying to find place
for every delegate and to put her In her
place. But 1 waited in vain for five long
minutes when l discovered among the state
banners the legend Illinois" well down in
front; and, slipping deXterously past an
usher who was trying to convince a
woman against her will that she
belonged in the gallery, l hurried down
the aisle to where Mrs. Parsons sat be-
side the state president, and found my
seat.
The theater was bower of roses and
smilax and cut flowers. Palms screened
the stage whereon sat the national Off
GERS in stylish garments, their Paris
gowns and gay headgear giving the right
touch of color to the scene. Bunting was
festooned back of them and across the
boxes, where sat the distinguished
guests who could not be accommodated
on the stage. In the center of the plat
form We're few men. among them the
mayor, the governor and the president of
noted college. A f1utter of fans and
waving handkerchiefs, like a flower bed
tossed by the southwest wind greeted
the president, tall, magnificent ookint,
woman, as she came forward and let her
gavel fall three times; and then the BIZ
ennlaI was open.