The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1917-01-18

Its chief attraction is beautiful Bay
Discayne, whose annual mic. winter speed
ooat races attract great crowds. The
bay is filled with yachts and the most
fascinating house boats.
AN ADDED charm to the city are the
cocoanut palms, and the palms that are
/ rightly called ''The Royal Palms, (which
grow to great height and are as straight
as an arrow.
When we arrived at our hotel about
Iour IN the afternoon the parlors were
nieo with ladies' in dainty summer at
tire. Ihere was bridge party on, given
ny one OF the guests. l said "rhis looks
IKE home,' the very highest compliment
| could pay them.
The Chamber of Commerce had a notice
In the papers asking everyone who could
possibly spare room to send their name
to them to help relieve the situation. for
there were such crowds coming in on
every train that it was difficult to take
care of them.
After we had registered we were taken
to the house next to the hotel, Just the
garden between, where we hau fine
large room, but were assured by Mrs,
Graham, the wife of the proprietor, that
we were guests of the hotel, should use
the verandas, have five o'clock tea in the
garden and play bridge in the evening,
This was more like house party than
living in hotel.
We were met by the woman who owned
the house, Miss Ingar--, whose last
name l cannot pronounce, she coming
from Holland.
She is Deaconess, ana wore the uni
form of the order, white muslin cap
with the crisp strings tied in bow under
her chin, and white shoulder cape. She
was one of the dearest women l ever
met. Her broad, goodnatured face sug-
gested such strength that one felt that
she was equal to any emergency.
There were two other people in the
h use. They, too, were dressed in an
unusual manner. The man wore the dress
OF priest. The woman, who was slight,
wore very plain dress of black material,
The skirt was short and scant, with high
neck and long sleeves, and small black
silk bonnet not unlike those worn by the
Quakers. | could see her hair was cut
snort under her little bonnet which she
never appeared without, even in the
house.
My interest in them was aroused, and
after the introduction the man said we
are Menonites."
We were at that time reading Helen
Martins story, "Ostracised, story of
the Menonites, who are Pennsylvania
Dutch, most fascinating people to me,
and | felt as though two of her charac-
tiers had stepped out of the story and
were standing before me,
The next morning was sitting on the
veranda of the hotel reading when my
Mennonite friends came out. | hoped
they would join me. The woman did.
After some conversation she said she
would not stay away longer, and asked
should she bring the Reverend over to
member in their stories they always speak
of the minister as the REVEREND.
They told me Of their community life,
their fine farms and diaries, but were
more interested in our part of the coun-
try, which SEEM far away to them.
When spoke of Helen Martins stories
and now much l enjoyed them, the lady
laughed. and said,
Eyes, she seems to love to write about
US. We don't mind, but others do.
When l left them they told me they
were glad to have met me, and the Rev
erend SAID,
Eyes, it is pleasant to meet the worlds
peopie-sometimes. We are not as quick
In thought and speech, but We have not
had the same advantages.
They gave me their cards and asked
me TO come sometime 10 Merchandising,
their home, where there is large colony
of Menonites, and see how they lived, an
experience would greatly enjoy
most interesting event was Riley
Day, a beautiful tribute of the children
10 James Whitcomb Riley, whose winter
home was In Miami. Chlldren from all
the schools marched 10 Royal Palm park,
where The exercises were held. Mr..
Riley arrived the park in his au ONO
bile. accompanied by his physician. So
feeble vas the poet thai h. had to be as
sisted to the platform. He was intro
duced as the Greatest songster OF all
times. 1t was necessary to assist hlm
10 his feet, and ne made bis Wy slowly
to the front OF the pattern. and stood
Tor moment looking out over the GRO Nd
OF children III from uf him He spoke
ouly few woros. bu W. $ d message
from the chldr n frien'. H. said,