Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-02-19
visory committee. Mrs. Frank Mon

VlSOTy cOIIlIIllllee, mIS. crdHh Ihoh-
son, Gorgona.
These clubs still write and read pa
pers. But their concern is not with
Egyptian art, and Byzantine archi-
lecture interests them no more. They
listen and discuss 1.-The Needs of Ga
tun," "Slum Work in Colon" Com
munity Life" such as the homeless
men represent and how to render this
more satisfying.
The head hospital nurse instructs
them on Home Nursing" They
tackle educational problems on the
Isthmus. How shall we bring about
a better understanding between teach
ers and mothers?" How shall schools
be provided for our boys and girls Of
high school age?" They organize a
humane society to look out for the
welfare of the dumb animals, and ap-
point committees to work among the
Jamaican negro women.
Now it is Ancon that forms an al
tar guild Of st. Luke's while Paraiso
starts a Sunday school. Corazal goes
in for horticultural work, and junior
leagues are formed for beautifying
homes. One club urges church going
among the men.
Another considers the need Of pro-
viding canopies for the stretchers that
carry sick in the rain. Every club has
its philanthropic committee for look
ing after cases Of restitution. And
Christobal, with it's gaze afar, pro-
poses to foster favorable rather than
unfavorable criticism Of the Canal
Zone and the great undertaking.
But all is not work and duty. There
are classes for studying Spanish, for
looking up Isthmian history, for study
ing the relation of the American re-
publics, north and south, and the re-
lation Of the Panama canal to the
world at large.
The holidays are celebrated, even
Halloween, which has always seemed
to belong to frosty nights Thanks
giving, Christmas are each observed
as nearly as at home as a torrid sun
permits. At Christmas, Culebra has
real fir tree, from the states, while
Gorgona constructed a fireplace, from
which Santa Claus came forth long
bearded, ermine coated, with a pack
on his back, laden with gifts for the
children, and not forgetting the ma
tive children, who shared in the hap
o.l oon5 will Of ho dou
At other times there is visiting by
day and night all along the line. An
con gives a flower dance, each Of the
guests personating a flower, and Pedro
Miguel entertains with a clipping So
cial, whatever that may be, and gives
prizes. Culebra is great on whist and
chess.
There are concerts and the trip Of
merry feet is heard from Colon to An
con. The men have their clubs. base
ball and other sports, and the Young
Mems Christian association has pro-
duced all it's varying diversions for the
ditch digger. There is an interchange
of amenities and hospitalities between
the men and the women; and If the
days be filled with labor and sweat,
It is not all work and no play.
Montaigne says, Let nothing be
done without gayety." The American
as an individual takes his tasks light
ly. But never before has pay as a
by-product Of work taken organized
form and assumed such importance
as part Of the great whole as in the
digging Of the Panama canal. While
government bands are heard all along
the line, even the administration be-
came an impresario, and sent four
young women with their flddles to the
isthmus to give concerts for the men.
When the canal is finished every
man who has borne mis- share in MAX
ing it an accomplished fact will re-
ceive a medal Of honor. But when the
story Of the Great Ditch is written 1t
will be an unfaithful historian who
will forget the courage, the devotion
and the labors Of the women and even
of the children, who stayed by to
cheer, to comfort and sustain.