Evening journal., 1922-09-11

poned until Monday morning" the
bulletin concluded
This bulletin relieved a feeling of
deep apprehension which had grown
as the hours passed and no word
came from the consulting doctors
relative 10 their decision on the need
for an operation. The air was full
OF rumors and reports that an oper-
alton had been performed. But as
soon as the bulletin was issued a
great wave OF hopefulness and opti-
mism swept over the White House.
The air was electric with hope
Everybody frightened up. The
gloomiest Sunday the executive
mansion has seen in years became
CHEEKY by comparison.
The general optimism was reflect
ed in President Harding's own con-
duct. He went to bed shortly be-
fore midnight-the earliest hour at
which he has sought rest since his
wife became critically Ill. All late
callers went away predicting Mrs.
Harding's recovery. Even DR.. Saw
yer. who at a late hour left the
White House for a short walk-his
first airing since the present crisis
developed, said that while he would
not go so far as to say that Mrs.
Harding had a good chance for re-
covery she had shown improvement.
Mrs. e. B. Mclean. a close friend
of Mrs. Harding. said on leaving.
just before DR.. Sawyer left, that she
believed Mrs. Harding's recovery
was assured. Secretary of War
Weeks felt the same way about 1t.
other late callers, all OF whom car
ried away a much more hopeful feel
ing. included Chairman Lasker Of the
shipping board; Uncle Joe Cannon;
Senators Kellogg. Hale. New, Secre-
tary OF Labor Davis and Director
Forbes OF the veterans bureau.
Mrs. Votaw. the Presidents sis
ter, left the White House late in the
evening.
Her departure was taken as indi-
cation that there was no immediate
danger as she has remained constant
ly at the White House up to this
time.
Altogether the situation was such
that the tremendous tension greatly
relaxed and for the first time in sew
eral nights many of those who have
been watching at the bedside OF the
distinguished patient got some real
rest.
Sunday was a day full OF incident
and color about the White House.
The universal sympathy OF the peo-
pie and their devout hope that the
stricken first lady may win her
pluclxy fight were evidenced in
scores OF ways.
Pastors in the capitors churches
prayed earnestly for her recovery.
The Reverend Mr. Alternately, pas-i
tor of Calvary Baptist Church, which
the Harding attend, prayed thus:
"Our hearts are burdened as we
think OF the one who lies so very
III. We pray, Our Father. that skill
may be granted those who attend at
her bedside and especially TO the
one who hurries to her aid from a
far distant state. Earnestly we
pray that II Il be in accord with I
Thy will, she may be spared to us"
Special prayers were said in all
churches and in st. Patricks |
and In all Jewish churches.
Two incidents OF the day stood !
out from the many which occurred. !
Late in the evening a crippled Ne
gro. scarcely able 10 hobble up the
steps leading TO the executive Of |
fees. brought a flower. just one,
wrapped in paper. with the request /
hat II be sent up TO the White /
The old mans Offering of
was placed among scores
1f other floral expressions. which in
,iuded elaborate examples OF floral
irt. One OF these was a piece over
Xix feet high. sent by the members