The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-06-06
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS


 It was sweltering afternoon and the heat under the big tent was something fierce, so. waiting for the audience to gather, I went out and sat under the trees and when any one is in reach. as is my custom. engaged in conversa- tion.
 After passing on the weather. I ven- tured the remark that it must be dis heartening to have such a good bill and 50 few out The stranger replied. 'Oh. they will drop in shortly and they did. Later. I knew that he knew the Chautauqua game inside and out. i
 A conversation begun in a haphazard way developed the fact that was talk ing to w. " Harrison, manager of one of the biggest Redpath circuits in the country, and that he was a brother of H. P Harrison, who is head man of the one being pulled off here, and that he lived in Columbus. O., was a Ro- tartan and a great friend of Frank Null holland.
 | One thing suggested another and soon we were in the midst of talk about some of the great Chautauqua celebri- ties l then began to sing the praises ! of Mrs. G. H. Mathis. I told Harrison 1 that she was the one big bet that all the Chautauqua managers had over looked, that I had heard most of them, and none of them had the power to stir assemblies like she had. | I saw he was interested, and so ] told him about the tours we had made over Alabama in the spring of 1917, and how she had enthused the farmers to plant food crops, and set the women in the towns to making real gardens, and had hundreds of city women playing with gardennettes. I simply told a true story of how she went up and down the state creating an enthusiasm for di- versified farming.
 
 I just somehow felt that if I could get him to see just what a remarkable wonl- an she was that he could take her and use her to arouse the people in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and thereby do good work i'll getting in strong behind those who realize the necessity, she had the power to deliver the mes sage if a way could be found to give her chance to do it in big way.
 Now, knowing Mrs. Mathis, and being aware of the reliability of the Redpath people, I wanted them to come together for mutual good and for the country's good. I felt that it was within my power to serve all three and so I put my heart into giving Manager Harrison the urge that would make him get in touch with the great-hearted farmer-woman of the south. made my plea and left without his having so much as commit ted himself in any way
 But I knew I had him going, and that it wouldn't be long before he went 1 to Gadsden to look Mrs. Mathis up. l also knew that if he met her, he would | fall for her just as I did on the day when Mir Barrett introduced her to me, and asked if I wouldn't help her to get her story to the people of Alabama. was certain that when he looked into her notherly face and heard her talk that if she was willing he would come away with a contract signed for the season.
 
 1 I didn't see him around Saturday night He was absent on Sunday, when was with some of the headliners at the cornmunity sing, but early in the week he showed up with a grin, saying: Well went up to see your Chautauqua star and she is all you said about her, and i then some, and I am going to play her up during the balance of the season, for believe she has got the dope my cir cult needs and I know she is going | to make good.''
 Friend Harrison q call him this. for l it does not take long for fellow Rota- rians to get friendly, for friendliness and service are the keystone of Rotary) was telling me that he was not only struck with Mrs. Mathis in her speciality as one of the great farmer women of the country, but the thing which appealed to him strongest was her outspoken loy- | atty, and her determination to do every thing in her power to stand by the Pres ident and help him get the best for her boy, and other mothers boys, who are already in or going to France. |
 I remember over year ago her speeches were lit up with fierce pa triotisms which burned against the Ger mans and set me on fire to add what l fuel I could to the flames when it came my time to talk. She was the most out spoken person l heard talk; in fact at times I tried to tame her down, but she just brushed me aside and showed | up the Germans in their true light Please bear in mind that this was before it got to be fashionable to denounce the Huns.
 | Here is congratulating Manager Harri- son, for I believe he has discovered a I star that is going to blaze across the Chautauqua Armament in such a way as to light up his whole circuit and I that before the season is over Mrs. Math- l is will be hailed throughout the coun- try gas one of the best drawing cards | in the Redpath bill of attractions. Here | is to Mrs. Mathis; may she come into her own richly, for she deserves much ! tha nuhlic for she has