Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-23
ELLEN ADAIR HAS
A NEW AWAKENING
TO LIFE'S REALITY
She Arrives at the End of
Her Journey and Has Tea
in a Small Restaurant in
Philadelphia.

Ia.
think that poets sometimes make the
gravest errors. They sing of youth and
sunny days and happy hearts. Youth
typifes TO them the sheerest happiness.
They cannot see that youth may mean
the sheerest pain.
When one is younS one wants so much
30 desperately much. Then oh! the heart
ache if one gets but little! the Ions
long thoughts of youth are passing
strange-I know they stretch out 10
eternity, and always with a vague new
restlessness. 7 think it's happiness We
seek but under unfamiliar names. some
call Il duty, some a great career ana
sonoe poor fools "a good time" in this
world. II cannot come from outward
circumstances "a heart at leisure from
itself' might bring it here-l do not know
i wish l thought of others ieehnss
more.
once as child watched a rainbow
CLEAN. A wide Kaleidoscope arch over
wet English fields. To me the universe
could hold nothing more fair I want
TO reach the rainbow whete II cnds! |
cried, and tramped for miles over WIG
scented heath, through dripping WOODS,
to catch that rainbow's sleam blt az
ways 1t eluded me. ! cried my enliulSh
heart out for an hour $3.50,
Then mother gave me new TOY WIN
dartinS quicksilver in 1t. I broke that TOY
TO catch the cleaning motal-but ihere
again L failed!
I think the old folks know tue happi-
ness. At least they know a quiet calm
and peace on many furrowed, "rinkied
face | see such happy looks, They also
serve who only stand and wait
ARRIVAL IN PHILADELPHIA.
NV train brought me to Philadelphia
on summers day at o'clock In the
big railway station | saw no familiar
face. Surely my uncle must be there
to welcome me. knew he was the KIND
liest man and on that one short visit tnat
he paid to England he had liked me well.
1 waited by the bookstall for an age.
Strange crowds went by me, as | stood
alone. The girls and women seemed so
smartly dressed, so fashionable. me
men all looked rather alike. l thought, all
wearing the same sort of hat-straw.
with highish crown. No one seemed
old and none seemed poor. America must
be a great, glad place!
At length I sought the nearest res
taurant, for l was tired and hungry. l
sat down at a little table. all alone. Why
had my uncle failed to welcome me? \
sudden thought then came and brought
relief. He must have sent u substitute.
Perhaps his wife had come and missed
me in the station crowd?
| raised up hopeful eyes and then
strange thing happened 4 beautifully
gowned woman slowly crossed the res
taurant and came to me. I thought she
had the love!iest face. the most bewild-
ering beauty. A faint sweet perfume
clung about her gown, unlike the scent
of English flowers. She smiled the sweet
est smile and said to me: My child, why
, are you all alone? Is no one meeting
you7"
II thought my uncle would have come"
said, ''or perhaps my aunt-but l could
not recognize her, and she can't know
me-
MY dear" she cried. and With the
kindliest gesture seized my hands, are
you the little girl We we're expecting?
I've searched for you an hour! How glad
! am! I'm the new aunt
This lovely new relation made me feel
quite shy she looked so grand. She
made me talk and ordered light meal
Your uncle sent me- as he was de-
tanned" said she. our motorcar IS
waiting to take you home 10 dinner, and
q welcome"
II will not bother you and uncle long
l mean TO work" I said. "T think YOU
are the loveliest and the kLndest thinss.'
A sudden shadow crossed her face,
please don't say that" she said, as
II my words had hurt Tel M about
your life at home
think the roodgates opened then;
my strange wall OF reserve went down. |
told her OF my English home, and OF
long walks upon the wind-swept mCorS.
told her how the wind sang in the trees
and how the little wood-sorreI grew
everywhere 1T Is so pure and fresh"
I said. 1T has the tlniest, pnkest face.
! know you'd love my English home"
Go on, 20 on she said. in breathless
eagerness. "I-was-an English girl once
too"
told her of the freshness OF the moors
$50 different from dusty cities and from
towns" I said I told her Of the lovely
r hFtF ? IA q. Lac Ng.r.y,
upon the grass. Then next 7 told her OF
The artists words. And when 7 met