Omaha daily bee., 1919-09-14
interviewing First Lady Of
Land Has No Terror
For Gabby
It Has Never Been Done but Gabby Started Out With
Determination to Talk With Mrs. Wilson
This Is How 1t Fizzled
BY GABBY DETAILS.

ABE Dfaln was growing
rusty, there were cobwebs i'll
the corners and dust around
the crevices, and she longed for the
sensational and the impossible. The
modern heralds, who sound the inky
trumpet of the approach OF the
mighty, had foretold the coming OF
the first lady of the land Gabby
decided that she would be the first
and only one who had ever inter
viewed this unapproachable person.
Armed only with a yellow pencil,
but girded with the armor of deter
mination, this young scribe sailed
Forth all on Monday morning.
The whistles blew, the flags waved
and Gabby's heart beat high with
hope. She pressed closer to the
machine as the presidential party
walked through the station, for she
knew that Mrs. Wilson would be so
delighted to see her. Bang! trusty
rife was thrust in front of her nose
and stern. khaki voice admonished
her TO keep out of the way"
Was Gabby discouraged? Not
yet Mrs. Wilson was seated in the
Dietz car and Gabby noticed that
the distinguished visitor was speak
ing, although distance drowned the
words. She mustn't miss a thing,
ard perhaps the suspicious moment
for the interview had come. She
ran around the stern warrior, whose
eyes were turned elsewhere, and
landed with hop right at Mrs. Will
sons. elbow.
Il think they are charming" she
heard the soft southern voice say,
and with toot the car was gone,
and the would-be interviewer was
left gasping in cloud of dust. Just
what was charming was hard to de-
termine, whether it was the sun
shine or the odor of coffee emitting
from the canteen or Woodrow's
gray tic, but. anyway, it was sat
isfaetioni to know that Mrs. Presi-
dent spoke English.
But the days work had Just be-
gun. Never was slcuth more
keen on the scent of a'criminal than
was Gabby on the trail Of this only
woman in America who positively
will not be quoted in cold print. The
Auditorium was seething mass of
humanity. with a few of the anoint-
ed on the stage, sitting very secure
ON their reserved seats, Gabby burst
right in among the elect and was
told in naughty tones by Mrs.
Prominence, whom you all know.
that she couldn't sit there, those
seats were taken"
She had hoped to enlist the aid of
some of Omaha's notables in secur-
ing this interview. the first and only
Que, remember. which was to be sent
broadcast all over the country-for
goodly sum. But with this chilly
welcome she faded into the wings
10 hope against hope for a word
with the first lady of America as
she came up the stairs.
Alas and alack, Gould Dietz had
"scooped" hers He was evidently
telling Mrs. Wilson one of his very
good stories in his best manner, for
she was laughing heartily and not a
look did she turn toward humble
scribe with high aspirations.
The presidents speech was really
tedious, for Gabby cared little for
peace treaties when she was dying
ITO know what his wife thought Of
the French women and if their
lclothes really are as chic and fasci-
mating as they look between the
printed pages. A burst of applause
and the political part of the orgy
was over while Gabby did a real
foot ball rush" to get to Mrs. Will
sons side. A silver-haired matron
was Introducing the first lady to a
long line OF suffragists and war
workers.
Gabby's questions were burning,
ion the tip OF her tongue; oh. for an
introduction! The chairman of the
reception committee had forgotten
her. She clutched her arm, frantic
ally, but all to no avail. Mrs. Jones,
who knit $50 pairs of socks, was
more important and Gabhy saw her