The Washington times., 1908-08-02
DOLLY AND SEE TOMASINA OFF ON
HER PERILOUS TRIP TO
EUROPE
MISS VALERIE pADELFoRD.

Dolly and I went over TO New York
at a moments notice TO say farewell 10
a dear friend who was about 70 sail for
Europe. After the foolish manner Of
women, or the manner Of foolish women,
as you choose, we decided to take her
by surprise at the pier. and so did not
telegraph her.
II was within an hour Of the boats
sailing time when Dolly and ! reached
the noble vessel and commercial our
search for Tomasiua. Almost as well
might we have looked for a needle in
a haystack, for this good ship and trae
was one OF the largest of che liners, and
already It was thronsed with people.
Il could never understand why they
wanted to come before daylight" said
Dolly, irritably. abiding TO the throng.
"All the books about travel tell one TO
DO so. Go early they say, and see that
your possessions are in their proper
place
They also tell one TO wear old clothes
on the vessel, so that shows what they
know" retorted Dolly.
Right in front OF us a crowd OF eX-
eited women were gathered about
small man. The latter wore the blue
uniform of the ship, pointed beard
and an expression OF patient resignation
and Christian fortitude. When he spoke
II was with a German accent and many
gestures.
,.Bud. madame. / can NIGHT from dot
udder laty take de corner she hat
bought. so. Her chair it tst al dot
mace an at dot blaze it mus stay
..But I will give you S for that cor
ner." cried the woman.
The man shook his head and turned
70 another excited lady who was tug
ging at his elbow
steward, I wrote you that I wanted
nv chair 10 be midway OF the deck on
the port side Of the vessel, and ind
YOU have it very near the front, or
whatever you call it. Now what 90 you
mean by that?"
1T list de best place I could you at
dot notice gif," replied the steward
YEARLY. IF it suits not den am 1
sorry"
Rather Be Stoker.
II have always said, % remarked Dolly
in my ear, that I would rather be
stozer than the deel, stewai /. If there
ever was a position which requires the
diplomacy of a Maehieveli and the pa
thence Of 4 Job. that is the one.
At this moment Il stout lady bore
down on the little deck stewart and
bore him off resistingly to change her
chair 10 the southeast corner of the
Ieft-hand deck. and Dolly and were
suddenly recalled to our reason Cor
being there. Where do you suppose
Tomasina is2" I asked.
I'm the writing room getting her let
ters ready for the pilot. OF course" re-
turned Dolly, and we FASTENED there.
The writing-room was packed and
damned with women. There were two
at a desk sometimes. and all of them
were writing hasty and blotted notes,
and some OF them were weeping as
they wrote.
Il should think they would have time
enough for that when they get under
way" whispered my companion. but 7
did not reply. I was too busy watching
the person near me crying down upon
the page on which she was engaged
and at the same time sucking a lemon,
evidently with some idea that In this
way she would ward or seasickness.
She had begun on her eleventh page,
her four thousandth tear, and her sec
ond lemon when a man came up to her.
He had prepared for the voyage with
the most elaborate automobile cap 7
have ever seen.
Come on out, Amanda" he said.
This pesky vessel IS going TO be
crowded to the limit"
II have to write to my children; how
do I know that ! viii ever see Indiana