The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-03-18
Charming Mary GiLlen

WW derful charm and her unique
" v personality, Mary Gillen could
not help but make a hit with the sol
der boys "Over There whittier she
went in company with her pretty sister,
Berney Gillen, six months ago in the
entertainment section of the American
Red Cross.
These two clever girls were readily
chosen by the Red Cross to go overseas
because of their many accomplishments
their talent and their versatility, and
from the moment they left New York
harbor on board the British Canadian
steamship "Grampion" to the moment
they stepped aboard the homeward-
bound French liner, Lorraine every
hour was filed with vivid experiences
which both of these bright, attractive
girls enjoyed.
Mary Gillen might easily be taken for
q SPANISH signorita-or just as easily for
a French demoiselle-for really she looks
far more foreign than she does-well-er
-domestic-with her jet black hair, and
her blue gray eyes and-really she is
Irish, you know, and thus equipped
marched forth to victory-as the Irish
ALWAYS do-in her work overseas.
"In the first place, when we left New
York" Mrs Gillen told me. in relating
briefly a sketch here and there of her
wonderful trip which, if told in full,
would fill a whole volume I'VE found
ourselves among most varied and Won
derful company of people; there were
welfare workers for various organiza-
tons, and we landed right in the midst
of the Balkan commission. which after
ward turned out to be most advantage
Gus experience for us in more ways than
one. because Maj William e. Thompson,
the head of the commission. was lnstru-
mental in placing us right in the very
atmosphere and circles in Paris that we
so much desired by introducing us to
many people of Importance, who proved
very interesting
Through the introductions given to us
by Major Thompson" Mrs. Gillen said.
I'VE met Tecktonus, the most adored
and popular pianist in France; he is the
idol of the French people and, listen,
he Isl an American he came from WIS
consin and his father is father to the
's;lo' as we'll as father to this wonderful
musician. 1t was from Tecktonius that we
received an invitation to appear on
programme which included some of the
most famous people from the 'Follies;
also from the opera and the Con1edie
Franchise; Maurice, the dancer, was on
the programme and a little incident
which occurred at the studio OF Teck-
tonius was rather amusing. l was dane
ing with Maurice, when the great pianist
came rushing up to me and said: stop
dancing and give programme right here
for. my guests. OF course 1 was simply
thunderstruck, but it would have been
lese majestic to disobey, and SO my sister
went to the piano and in few minutes
we were giving our programme!
1--WE were sent of course mostly to the
wounded soldiers" Mrs. Gillen said, "and
shall never forget the sights that
greeted my eyes with those poor broken,
wounded men-splendid specimens of
manhood when they started out-glorious
young manhood, coming back muulated
arms gone legs gone, blind, trying to
smile with no eye to smile with-no lips
to smile with; no heart to smile with and
yet always a smile-always cheerful! I'd
go home at night perfectly broken heart
ed; it took the very heart out of me
the life out of me for the time-and then
I'd brace UP and say to myself: Think
of what these boys have suffered and
given up so be man and do as much
for them!
IT recall an incident in one of the
French hospitals which was very anus
ing" Mrs. Gillen said, changing from
grave to gay. I went into one of the
wards and up above the bed was posted
a sign which was written in most
illegible scrawling sort of hand, which
said: English spoken here! 1 looked at
the occupant of the bed and there was
q big brawny negro; 1 said to him,
Where did you come from? He looked
up and, grnning at me big two by four
grin, he said, 'Frum down in Georgia."
And there he'd written the sign, English
spoken here OF course I told him
was from right next door to him-down
in Alabama and then he grinned again
and said, Hit sho is fine to hear you'll
own languidge spoken.'
1.-THE French people are really the most
wonderful people I've even met Mrs.
G:llen said enthusiastically. "They have
the most remarkable knack of making
the best of themselves; they always, as
we express it, put the best foot forward
Take the theatres for instance and the
opera, if singer has grown a bit passe
and her voice is no longer as young and
beautiful as it used to be, the orchestra
~