The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-04-28
(Written by an American Rcd Cross Nurse for International News
 

Thomas Garrigue Masaryk, life presi- l dent Of the Republic of Czecho-Slo- vakia- This meeting occurred on European express just as we were pulling out of Prague late one even ing. There were three Of us In the party. We were bound for an or phanage in Ruthenia, which no less a person than Miss Masaryk herself had begged the Junior Red Cross of America to adopt as it's own tempo rarily.
 It was a hot summer evening and we were as tired as long hours of heat and perspiring toll could make us. Our one thought was to find a good nights rest and that as soon as possi- ble. Suddenly our little Czech inter preter burst in upon us.
 Guess who is on the train ?'' she said, her eyes shining with excite
 Give it up," we replied yawningly.
 Furth hermore we don't care a con tinental," drawled ltstbessly our New
 "Oh, but you will when you know! It is Miss Masaryk, the presidents daughter, and she is planning to sit up all night"
 "Sil up all night" we echoed faint ly. Whatever is the matter with herr"
 "She didn't decide to make the trip until too late to engage a wagon-lit," came the answer.
 Well; if that isn't democracy for you I'll eat my hat,' sang out a voice
 
 could match it even in our America She's a woman after my own heart And what's more. she isn't going to approve her equal rights and no priv bunk with you, Sally Jane, whether you like it or not, and she shall sleep as fine as silk in the soft white berth that is mine."
 ing a reply she darted off, returning before we had time to get our thoughts and belongings properly arranged to receive the honored guest. Father a Coachman. The presidents daughter proved to be a sweet. SeriouS-faced woman with very great deal of that indefinable thing we call personal charm We liked her at once- We were impressed with her sincerity and quiet grace. She spoke English perfectly. After learned that her mother was an American, a member of the GarTgue family of Shakespearean fame. Her father Dr. Thomas G. Masaryk, the He had climbed all of the proverbial rounds of the poor boys ladder, hav- ing been in turn a 1ocksmith, a black smith and a schoolteacher It was the top and made his name known throughout England and America.
 Miss Masaryk, like her father. is a student. She spent two years at Hull House under Jane Addams and was one of the few women students at she | University of Prague, where she spe- ciaIzed in medicine, histenT and so- During the war she was fmprisond in Vienna and held as hostage for her | father whom the Austrian Govern ment could not get within it's grasp. Miss Masaryk told us that the prison period was the greatest school of her life. Here, crowded in a small cell. with twelve other prisoners; her Hraf lot, T,@ faHk h mother in feeble health-sf,e proved the stuff of which heroes and martyrs are made. The letters she wrote while in prison te her mother give rare great woman.
 Puts House in Order
 Dr. Masaryk, on being called to the presidency of the newly-created re- public, found himself in somewhat the same position as the head Of large family might who suddenly had been forced to move into a very old and very much out of repair house. To make it habitable and safe place in which to dwell it had of necessity to be overhauled from cellar to attic.
 The Austrian Red Cross had with drawn at the birth of the republic. Theirs was a, crying need for a similar organization The president, with keen vision. appointed Miss Masaryk to organize and head this work. In other words, the questions relating to health and happiness of the house hold were turned oyer to her. Her previous medical training, her special work and her great understanding of and sympathy for the people. made her the one person in Czecho-SioVak1a able to carry the task through to successful end.
 Miss Masaryk, on assuming the headship of the Czech Red Cross. did not need to look about to find out the condition of the country. It was al- ready written on her heart. All too well she knew that the children's cup boards and porridge bowls were emp ty. Their cries for help were heard everywhere.
 Hoover weeps.
 The newly-organized house had lit tie to run on. It must get help rom outside until 1t could get itself in or went to MT. Hoover in Paris and told him her story.
 q. myself Miss Masaryk told us had seen so much misery that was hardened. I had only one thought. that of obtaining help. I told my tale simply. It was with surprise that I saw ~ears rolling down MT. Hoo-
 And Mir Hoover did help. He took over the children's cupboard in needy households. Meals of the correct are still being served throughout Czecho-Slovakia by the American Re- lief Assoc.a ton.
 But the health of the children had been so greatly impaired by the war | wears of undernouriShment and prtva- | lions that it took more than food to | make it normal. A remedy must be l found and applied at once. unless cpl denies of the worst kind should sweep the land. Again Miss Masaryk went outside for help. and this ti:ae she knocked at the door of the Junior Red Cross of America
 The Juniors like MT. Hoover, an- swered Miss MaSaryk's call at once. Trained workers were sent to Czecho- Slovakia to solve the health problem of ahe children The result was that there started in the spring of 1920 game whose popularity vies with our national game of baseball. Through
 Eli L. hc,rs lrr