Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-28

the desire. fearing lest my simple aues-
lions might be misinterpreted.
The day was crisp and cool with bril-
liant sunlight over the city. and the early
editions of the evening papers told mo
that the reunion was a magnificent sue
cess. The hall. the largest In the city.
was crowded and northern and southern
enthusiasm were united in one grand.
rolling volume that often sent cheers in
thunder against the roof and that thrilled
everybody with the sense OF humanity
and fellowship. Moved as | was by the
forid accounts ] felt that the reality
would stir me much more deeply. I sup
pose that sentimental strain is In -
all and lucky ii is that il is 70. Jimmy
Warfield took luncheon with ME and
shortly afterward the committee came for
me.
They are all tuned up" said Warfield.
as we drove the short distance from the
hotel to the hall. land you can play on
their emotions as you will Harry
'Fll do my best" [ said.
We stopped at side door in side
street and entered behind the stage. Hers
occurred the usual formalities. I was
ceived by a committee I shook hands
with all its members. and we made polite
remarks to each other. but my ear was
turned to the scene that shut us out from
the stage. Through Its paper wall came
the deep hum and murmur Of q great
crowd. and now and then vast burst OF
cheering that made the building tremble.
some one was speaking. anu ne was 90
ing il WE'LL learned afterward that it
was Guthrie. called suddenly to fill
vacancy. made by the unexpected absence
of another speaker. and more than filling
the missing mans place.
thrilled at the sound OF the applause.
Only those who have had it know how
sweet it is. The cynic who despises the
acclaim of the multitude is one In whose
veins poison has been instilled. Nor am
one OF those who jeer at the million
fnnfod''. n xrnico Of q most nannio
is the decree most nearly just. The muir
muir and the thunder that rose and fell 8
times also thrilled me with the sense OF
conflict l was now trained public
speaker. / had faced the public from
many a stage. and the scent OF the pow
der was in my nostrils. I would do my
best. / did not need the announcements
of Guthrie and Warfeld.
The murmur suddenly burst into cheer
mightier than all the rest, that rolled and
echoed again and again. and then died
down into a silence SO intense that IL was
painful. Guthrie had finished and they
were waiting for the next man.
'.Will you come on now. governor? eX-
claimed the chairman of the committee.
Its a little earlier than we expected. but
there's been slip and you'll oblige us
greatly
.Oh. certainly" I replied with great
willingness. as I felt myself appraised by
the moment and did not wish to delay un-
til the inspiration was gone.
He led the way at once ana we pasSeu
in front of the scene to the stage. where
all who were seated rose to their feet and
the chairman of the meeting. taking me
by the arm, walked with me to tho foot.
lights.
/ had a confused view Of . vast au-
dience. the largest that had ever facedt
men and women. rising In row on rowe
but all their faces were melted together
in one great composite blur. In my ears
was the thunder of the cheering. nsana
and swelling in volume. and sending thd
blood leaping through every vein. Then
people sprang up, men waved their hats.
and women their fans. and I was 0crced
to bow again and again. while waited
for the applause to subside. These are
the supreme moments Of q mans life
when he stands before his world and thd
world approves. I heard my name shout.
ed over and over. and then whom the apA
plause seemed about to sink 1t would Bud@
denly rise into renewed and greater vol!
ume. 1 felt that I was In the house Of
my friends. and that these were my
people.
Ito be continued tomorTow.)