Evening star., 1926-11-20
Winnipeg and the Twin Cities.

The day following my birthday tyou
see have only reached the thirtieth
of October) we arrived at Winnipeg
towards evening, which, however, did
not mean that that was the only re-
ception we had, for all along the way
at the smaller stations crowds as
sembled everywhere, and I never dare
disappoint the people; however ear
nestly l might be occupied 1 left
everything at every call, thinking of
the disappointment Of those who had
often come a long distance with the
hope of seeing me and my children
and even perhaps having word with
us. All this takes time and energy,
nor must l allow myself to become
absent minded, remembering that al
though I am always the same one
person, those who receive me are al
ways fresh crowds.
At the Winnipeg station we were
received, as usual, by all the authOri'
ties and the committee especially
charged with arranging for our re
ception.
1t is always disappointing to arrive
at a town when 1t is getting dark, as
much of it's beauty is then lost upon
one, but as much as I could see OF
Winnipeg I thought it a beautiful
city and those who received me were
charming.
Liked Prime Minister.
Mr.. Bracken,. the prime minister,
was the one who drove with me in
my car. l liked him exceedingly,
though there was something shy and
retiring about him. He confessed to
me that he dreaded talking in public
and that he pitied me for having to
stand up so often. facing an ever new
audience. He asked me how l could
stand it. / replied that 1t was the
courage Of the innocent" alone which
upheld me.
I realized this, too. again that eve
ming when at a tremendous banquet
given at the Hotel Royal Alexander
by the Canadian Wonfan's Club l an
swered Mrs. Bracken's address. This
invitation to the Winnipeg Woman 8
Club had been accepted many weeks
before, as I had been in touch with
Canadian women's clubs while l was
still at home.
Mrs. Bracken spoke charmingly,
which made 1t easy to find my answer:
Before leaving we were conducted
to the Parliament building, the doors
of which had been thrown open to the
whole Of the public that passed before
us in endless file. The extra
number of women who had come to
see me was very remarkable. Inc
whole Of Winnipeg seemed to be on
it's feet that evening, and they passed
and passed and passed till we became
almost dizzy.
The Parliament house is magnifi-
cent building. We stood in its great
central hall, and behind us on the wall
was a superb fresco by Brangwyn.
recognized his style immediately, as
he is one of the English painters l
most admire. The amusing part OF 1t
was that / alone and the custodian
of the place seemed to know that the
picture was q Brangwyn, but this old
man was enchanted that I had recog-
nized the great masters touch.
Supper for Authorities.
Although the banquet by the Wom-
ans Club had been copious. we were
all the same invited to sit down at a
supper given by the governor In the
Parliament library, so that we should
more closely make the acquaintance
of the authorities Of the town. They
were all most agreea BILE. and I humbly
confess that | had not remembered all
their names.
Our next stop was at Minnea polls
and ST. Paul, which We reached in the
late afternoon. All the morning
tried to write. but 1 was endlessly in
terrupted, which seems my fate. How
much more l could do and how much
better l could do 1t were this not the
ca Sc. But l am served by many. and
no man seems satisfied unless l daily
keep up the personal touch. This Is,
= ,-fx AFrYI
hours Of work Besides / must look
certain degree. as all my receptions
are Official I cannot get out of the
train just anyhow, with my hat on
one side and a cloak which does not
match my dress.
Minneapolis and st. Paul are sister
towns, which does not mean that they
are not rivals. So that both should
have something of us. l dropped my
children at Minneapolis, under the
care of Mrs. Washburn, as Maj. Wash
burn is a citizen of that town, which
is full of their friends.
My children were delighted to have
an unofficial afternoon among those
of their age, whilst l sternly attended
to my Qeen's work. / continued to ST.
Paul, where a colossal reception had
been arranged at the superb station
hall. This reception was quite spe-
cially we'll done.
There are very many Ruma mans in
St. Paul. and these were lined up in
groups, so that they should be the
first to welcome their Queen. A small
platform had been placed for me. on
which l stood all alone, so that my
people could have a good view of me,
and it was from this little platform
that / received their addresses and
their lunches OF flowers. They were
overcome by emotion. and more than
one woman wept with JOY. 1t must
have been curious event in their
lives to be greeted by their Queen in
their faroff land of adoption.
But It wae not only my Rumapians