The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-09-06
ENROUTE TO Los ANGELES
Christian Endeayor Secretary's Trip
Across the Continent


wrong. That was the way when /
Secretary Grace arrived in Jackson
vile. four hours late, on July 3rd, /
and found that the other Florida del
egates were gone. Passenger Agent
Baird was sympathetic, but could Of /
fer no hope but that l might catch .
up with the rest in Kansas City.
So the 4th of July was spent sad /
y not gladly. in the metropolis. Mrs /.
". II. Bates. Of the Roseland hotel. .
was & kind hostess, and the day pass .
ed more pleasantly than I had at first
thought could be possible.
That evening l did not miss the
train, and found the Illinois Central
a comfortable road on which to COM
mence long journey.
Georgia, in a section rich with
homes and fertile farms, was passed
through. The mountains OF Alabama
and Tennessee, with their wealth of
mines, were eagerly viewed by the
secretary from the state of IowIands,
Florida. Many tracks seem to cross
in the mining regions, and precious
time was lost waiting at the switches
for other trains TO go by. For
while. we were several hours late
ana l. OF recent experience was fear
full. But in the night. before getting
TO St. Louis, We caught up, for there
is one place where either the trains
rest or hurry on, as the case may re-
Quire. We hurried that time Ar
irving al ST. Louis in time for break
fast Sunday morning, July 9th, |
was met by a courteous agent of the
Illinois Central. A feature especial
y remembered among those of the
depot in ST. Louis was a visit 20 the
rest room kept by good w. c. T. L.
women and cared for by one of their
workers. 1t is not only a haven Of
rest to weary travellers, but a place
of refuge for women and girls trav-
cling alone and in need Of advice or
help. Blessed be the results, surely,
of these travelling aides now being
established in the gateways of the
large cities, including Jacksonville
and Tampa.
After joining the car of Alabama
Endeavorers, our Florida workers
had rested by the way day in ST.
Louis and another at Kansas City
| But the solitary traveller hurried on
and, after brief stop in St. Louis,
my Sunday passed gazing out on the
/ beautiful farm lands of Missouri, for
the state was traversed that day.
1t seemed so different from Flor
ida. Hours passed and | never
wearied of the green fields, the pas
ture lands, sunny farm houses and
roomy red barns. Even a gentle
shower which served to make even
( greener the scenery. seemed some
how different from those of the far
south. It was the first visit to Mis-
isouri since my childhood; the years
i seemed to rCl backward-I was a
child again.
Toward evening we arrived in
Kansas City. Though succeeding in
enjoying the trip alone thus far, it
! seemed as If l could hardly have
stood the disappointment OF finding
our car gone from the city without
me. Finally by the aid of a useful
guide. l found the c. E. train had
not lett. 1t was stationed away down
the track and our workers scatter
Ell for a day Of combined church at
tendance and sightseeing. There
were many people in that depot. 1t
did not seem a bit like Sunday there.
The time passed all too slowly for
me till | got into a circle of c. E.
members from Kansas. They were
not going to the great convention,
but wished me Godspeed on the jour
ney TO the West. Here as in many
tother places along the way were
found congenial spirits that brought
good cheer to the little secretary.
Nine o'clock came-when a porter
took me TO the car. I found at its
steps, wondering where | was our
Florida delegation, and the cordial
friends from Alabama. Great was
Iour rejoicing that the Florida trans
,portation manager had at last caught
Iup with the delegation. 1t was with
feeling Of great comfort that
settled down for two days enjoy
ment and Christian fellowship in the
special car OF Alabama and Florida
delegates. bound for Los Angeles.
Grace A Townsend.
WaIwOrth Nebraska.