Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-28
M'LTSS ENCOUNTERS
LITTLE SUFFRAGIST
BRAVHNG BIG THRONG
"I Don't Like This a Bit" Says
Courageous Young Worker
as She Passes Out Lit
erature to Men
"BUTToNITIS" EPIDEMIC
Bv M'LISS

She was n iuffy little person with tho
light OF earnest determination shining in
her eye Like saiiboat anchored to the
spot but shifting with the breeze, she
stood on the corner OF Chestnut and 7th
streets in a perfect sea OF MONDAY traf-
&c. turning first this way and then that,
in an effort TO be OF the greatest use to
the greatest numbers-a lesson that good
suffragists imbibe at an early age.
NO" she said, in the few spare mo-
ments not given over to the distribution
of the white, yellow and blue leaflets with
which she was freighted, II do not like u
a Bit this street work. I don't believe
any woman docs, and we're women, Of
course. before we're suffra gists, even II
politically we're not regarded as people"
At this moment a man with an "anti"
button and a superclious countenance
dlsdained her outstretched offer of a PAM
phlet, but the man In back of him put
down the armful Of cigar boxes he was
carrying. tipped his hat in appreciation
OF the literature extended TO him and went
smiling on his way
But when old gray-haired ladies. who
would much rather be at home toastinR
their toes at the radiator and working
the knitting needles. forego these pleas
utes 10 come out and work for their con-
Nlctons, think it's UP to the young
people to follow suit I'm frank to saw
that my grandmother is responsible for
my being here. She said II I didn't come
out she would and so, of course I came {"
In U at section of Chestnut street. be-
tween llth and 9Th streets, which. during
these rev remaining days before election
mas become veritable Midway Plaisance.
with entertainment provided at every step
Tor the passing throng, the little suffra-
slst Is one OF the most attractive fig
ures
Unlike her "anti" sisters, who. because
or the eNigencies of the campaign can
not remain in that home the paeans OF
which they sing so Justify. she does not
hide In her headquarters behind a care
fully placarded window, while paid bows
and men with lackadaisical demeanor
pursue the business of getting rid of the
-ose-red buttons. Like st. Paul, he be-
lieves that faith without works is dead"
and she is nothing If not live
1t was one OF these that approached
this morning, wishing to obtain some
leaflets and compare the arguments Of
the contending forces.
Some literature, please?'
Whats that, mum?" was the puzzled
reply
Yes, the Midway Plaisance is a divert
ing place, but all of those who tread its
epidemic that is sweeping 1t from end
to end. "Buttonitis" is the disease, and
many a man with the most innocent ap-
pearance is laden with the germs. The
coat lapel is the breeding place
Starting at 18th and Chestnut the
passerby. attracted by the display win
dow of the Woman's Good Government
League, halts. A feminine advocate of
purer politics smiles at him and, quite
without knowing it, he takes on a Porter
button. A little further down an timer
ant evangelist is shouting his creed to
the circumambiant air. His buttons are
white and bear religious message. In
the process of getting through the audi
ence, even though he be an arch-heretic,
the pedestrian annexes a religious but
ton.
BY this time he has acquired the habit
and extends his hand quite naturally to
the "anu' boy who apprehends him. A
little further along he meets a friend.
who believes in rights for the contrac-
tors, and, 10, the smiling countenance
of Thomas b. Smith is placed cozily next
to that of Philadelphia's recent Public
Safety Director.
With rare foresight the "suffs," acting
on the principle that he who buttons
last buttons best" have taken up their
position at the end of the row. In some
cases the pro-suffrage ladies' only sue
coed In adding TO the collection on the
lapels of the diseased ones. but fair ex-
change being no robbery and convinced
that one suffrage button is worth solid
aggregation of the other kind, they some
times effect a transfer. This requires
skill. however, and great persuasive
powers. But the collection of "anti" but
| tons that they turn In onights shows
| that 1t can be done.
"If a man is as good as his word" said
the pretty little suffragist, "it's Murray
| for the amendment. If he isn't it's GOOD
night until the next time. But good
night doesn't mean going to sleep" she
| addad chaarfullV oIuat watch