South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-05-25

IN dress as we'll as in every mo-
ton and word this sterling daugh-
ter Of America gives the impression
of 24-karat honesty. There isn't an
ounce Of pretense about her. Right
in the middle OF her speech she ad-
mitted that she was six and 60
years old.
Dress and Appearance.
Medium or less in height, rather
stocky in build. she gives the i'm
preston of strength rather than
grace. Her dress was black. almost
devoid of trimming.
Her hair is gray. silver gray. al
most white. She scorns the false
even in hair and wears no switch.
Age has taken it's usual toll and the
residue left by the thinning process
of time is gathered up in an honest
little old ladies' knot on the top Of
her head. That she despices some
of the sham Of the day was shown
by a little burlesque which she
staged at the beginning Of her talk.
After she had mounted the plat
form in the press club for the baby
congressman" she sat down in a
chair and to the amusement and
delight OF the press boys pulled
puff and mirror out of a bag and
began TO powder her face. When
the laughter died down. she re-
marked: II never did this before.
but 1 can't let these clerks and sec
/. -
ahead of me-" Then she told hap
by story about the man who took
beer by the teaspoonful on a doc
tors prescription and the audience
was hers. She has a rare sense of
humor. the durable kind that has
survived a life full of struggle.
A Paradox.
She is a militant anti-suffragist-
if such car be. I'm a paradox"
she said. ''vice-president of the anti
suffrage league Of my state and in
congress by accident. We were so
busy during the war looking after
Liberty bonds, Red Cross work and
helping the soldier boys that the
misguided men VINO didn't so to war
voted suffrage in"
Miss Alice" as she Is spoken of
generally about the capitol and the
house office building. has a skill in
springing surprises that is worthy OF
a seasoned stump speaker. Here
was her next one.
They ask me If I was born In
Georgia. I tell EN- no. because my
grandfather went over the plains in
TO Arkansas just as soon as he got
out Of the penitentiary in Georgia"
Her grandfather was a missionary
TO the Indians in the early half of
the past century. Some sort of
charge was trumped up against him
that he was fostering sedition among
the Indians, and he was convicted by
the Georgia state courts and put in
prison. The case went to the SUI
pren1e court, and was there decided
in his favor-but Georgia would not
release him for two years.
Rep. Robertson is very proud of
the missionary work of her grand
father. her father and her mother
and her own efforts among the In
dians. II am prouder," said she,
which has more years Of service TO
the Indians 10 it's credit than any
family in the United States than
am Of the accident of being a mem
Der of congress"
She spoke Interestingly about the
hasty marriage of her father and
mother in Indian territory.
Her father had been sent as a mis-
sionary to the Indians by some So
ciety Her mother taught school near
the scene Of his labors. The mission
airy socity felt that it was not good
for a missionary man TO live alone
and so decided 10 send out a spin
ster of somewhat advanced years TO
be his wifi They even went so far
as 10 outfit her with a trusseau.
Word that she was on the way
came TO the missionary. and the
school teacher. and they moved for
ward the date of their marriage.
The old maid was quite wrathy
when she arrived" said the speaker,
but she couldn't do anything 10 my
father for breach OF promise. be-
cause he hadn't promised her any
thing"
War Refugee at Five.
Her voice lapsed into a pathetic
strain that held her hearers spell
bound as she recounted some Of the
experiences of her remarkable life.
Among her first recol!ections are
those OF being a refugee when a
child OF FIVE. during the civil war.
-
Confederates TO the federal camp
and said she would never forget how
good 10 her childish eyes Old Glory
looked when they saw il in the dis
lance. Her youth was rich in
hardships The struggle for ex-
istence by the missionary family
was a hard one oten they just
kept about the Plimsoil line Of
sufficient sustenance. After her
childish hands bled from the neces-