The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1914-09-17
EDGEFIELD WOMAN IN EUROPE.
Mrs. Mamie n. TillmaA Relates Try
ing Experiences in Leaving Italy.

ing Experiences in Leaving Italy.
Mrs. Mamie n. Tillman. of Edge
field, who has just returned from
tour of Europe and the far East,
writes very Interestingly of the eX-
periences of her party in leaving the
war stricken regions, where the party
became marooned when the war was
declared. The following, by Mrs.
Tillman. is reprinted from the Edge
field Advertiser.
One day as We looked out from
our hotel window in London We saw
a long line OF soldiers newly enlisted
and marching to the front with the
band playing Home Sweet Home.
1t seemed a strange battle hymn, hut
as we listened the thought came to
us that it was being played to arouse
to the highest degree love for bat
tie and for England to create strong
desire to defend ones country even
if it involved a sacrifice of life itself.
AS we gazed upon brave young boys
leaving their homeland, We realized
as never before the sadness of sepa-
ration perhaps forever from the land
of their birth. A feeling of home
sickness took possession of US min
gled with a sense of gratitude that
soon the ocean would divide US no
more from our home and we grew
impatient for the day Of departure
to come, when all anxieties and sus-
pense would be over. For although
far more fortunate than many Amer
leans we had had a share of the
hardships and annoyances brought
about by war conditions.
The announcement that war had
been declared came as surprise to
the Wicker party which had been for
several weeks in Palestine and Syria
and consequently deprived of news
of the happenings of the world. We
were therefore not prepared for such
news and for sometime could not
realize the seriousness of the condl-
ton. This blissful ignorance though
was blessing not marring our pleas
ure up to that time.
In the beginning of our trip as
we wera enroute from Vienna to
Constantinople the assassination OF
Archduke Ferdinand occurred in a
town quite near US. Being in a
strange country of strange people and
languages we got the impression that
the Austrian emperor had been killed
and did not know the truth Of the
matter until we reached CONSTANT
nople. We little thought then that
this tragedy would be the match to
strike fire to the smouldering en-
bers of dissatisfaction among the ma
tons of Europe.
The incident being dismissed from
our minds we went our way undis-
turbed into Oriental lands far from
our beloved America and did not re-
call the assassination until we land
ed in Italy and heard rum ors of war.
We were in Rome, upon neutral
ground when war was declared. Our
sightseeing was not interfered with
and all plans were carried out accord
ing to our itinerary. But on reach
ing Florence and Venice We had trou-
BILE in getting money. All had pro-
vided themselves with travellers
checks, but on presenting them they
could not be cashed and very few OF
US had much cash on hand. One old
lady who had resisted the tempting
beads and wares of the Orientals eX-
ultantly exhibited four or five gold
coins and said. Yes. told you so,'-
you ought always to prepare for
rainy day and save your money. We
dCCGplSu ulSShls lAdI utI VI "toooAAi'
but in our souls pitied the poor crea-
ture whose love of gold (of which
she had an abundance) was one OF
the controlling motives of her life.
Our conductor, DR.. Wicker, had
prepared, however, for rainy day by
bringing some gold coin with him
from America and was able to tide
us over until we got checks cashed
in Milan. But not knowing when we
could leave for home we had to prac-
tice strict economy and pass by gilt
tering beads and Venetian souvenirs
so attractive to American tourists.
We ali agreed that the canoes and
beads. and laces had never seemed
so beautiful. One of the girls said
she felt like the little beggar girl on
the street looking in the shop win
-dows at Christmas.
But those little Inconvenience
were small compared with the ac-