The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-07-30

Warren G. Hardlng's mother had the
simplest. most effective, quick action
method OF getting sleepy heads out
of bed in the morning | ever heard Of
An eye-Opener without a kick. that is
what II was-one that would meet the
approval of IA convention of prohibi-
tionists.
We found # more difficult to get up
at the Harding family home than at
the Star office Those uncomfortable
cots didn't encourage late breakfasts.
1t was different at w G.s home. AZ
ter one clear call, answered by the
gutteral note that American mothers
know so well. We We're expected to get
out. But, of course, we dtdn I. Ihat
would have been contrary TO all
sleepy head" rules and regulations.
We were given few minutes Of grace
and then, nothing doing, It happened
Across our eyelids this resourceful
woman drew q cold, wet cloth.
saw her coming into the room-we
were too sleepy for that--but We did
see her backing out, smiling and bid
ding US a gentle spoken good morn
The "wets" may yearn for eye-oren-
ers OF doubtful merit, but this mother
had the genuine article, warranted to
work. and no hurtful aftermath.
An ALI Day Mother Every Day
In all the years l knew the family
home Of Warren Harding it was a
was was more than that It was a sane
tuary where Christian spirit dwelt
a spirit that spoke In quiet voice,
out OF a lexicon OF gentle words, what
can say here will be but poor,
faltering expression OF what my heart
would like to speak OF n woman who
was an all-day mother every day.
There was nothing fictitious In the
life OF Mrs Phoebe Harding, mother
of tho Republican candidate for pres
ident. She was real with no taste for
superficiallties.
At one time, during the staggering,
wobbly days of the paper we were. try
ing TO rejuvenate, this mother said to
"You and Warren will make a sue
Just thatSand she had revealed her
implicit confidence in her boy as she
might have expressed the abiding faith
of her soul in its Immortality.
| must forever think that the cour-
age, the downright, unshrnking cour-
age to 60 forward into the teeth OF
formidable circumstances, came from
the mother who could look ahead and
sec. by her faith, where the road turned
toward success.
Don't let me give the wrong impress
sion OF this family home. Remember,
was an absence of sanctimonious gloom,
and the atmosphere was wholesome.
Aside from w. G., the eldest, five other
children lived there, and it was the, kind
of place where young people liked to
congregate 1t was a refreshing refuge
to me after long, hard day in the
printing office.
Doctor, Nurse, Comforter.
1t was my good fortune to know
Warren Harding's mother in after
years, when we had children sick unto
death | am sure she had felt 1t
part of her mission to study medicine,
that she might aid in healing, while
she gave out of the storehouse OF her
compassion To those who must suffer.
She was doctor and nurse. l have wit
messed her gentle. natient ministrations.
In my own household, where bays
life hung in the balance and the last
step had been taken to keep the little
one with us, l knew, | felt that out of
her soul there poured the last remedy
a plea to Heaven that the invisible
thread Of life might not snap, not yet
Gods will be done!
For years this quiet uhpretentious
woman passed our little home almost
daily. Sometimes late in the evening,