Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-03

Her nerves are never on the surface.
One afternoon the click Of her portable
indicated that she was writing letters
easily, matter Of factly, she managed
quite a number every day. The rest Of
our group had scattered, but !, fiat on
the needle-covered ground, was idly
\ watching the great trees, rank on rank.
sway gently in the Autumn sunshine. I
very probably dozed OF for q few mo-
mentS.
Very suddenly I was aware that a
cnange had come over the clean, green
world. The sunshine was yellowiSh.
The fragrance of the redwoods bore o
tang. and fine white ashes were Sitting
down between the columns Of the trees.
l dashed excitedly over to where Mrs.
Hoover was sitting and informed her
that there was a fire and asked II We
should not do something.
She smiled reassuringly. 1T Is not
very near; I car tell by the smoke. The
wind veered and brought 1t this way,
but don't think we need be alarmed.
Sometimes smoke from fires in this
kind of. timber is carried so miles,"
was not altogether pacified, and de-
cided to walk to the nearby village. Her
letters were just about finished. so she
strolled along with me, and at the little
town we found her opinion as to the
source Of the smoke confirmed exactly:
there was not the remctest chance of
danger. On the way back we fell into
conversation with an elderly couple who
lived in clearing near our camp. Mrs.
Hoover and the woodsman got deep into
the discussion Of forests. Finally the
old man said: ~
1.-THE redwoods get you. I've lived
among 'em all my life. My wife has,
too. We like them more and more. It's
something you can hardly. explain"
The little old lady confirmed his
words. Their eyes hghtened as they
evident that they had instantly formed
a. high opinion Of her personality and
her extensive knowledge Of numbering,
reforestration and the like.
You connected with lumber folks?"
one OF them asked, with frank admira-
ton.
mo-" she said. "But I've always loved
trees" She was at home with these
plain old people. and they accepted her
as one Of their own.
WE we're taking snapshots one Sat-
urday when young teacher and
her pupils came along on their way TO
picnic. They paused to talk and were
pleased to be included In a number Of
pictureS-the large group gave an ex-
cellent idea Of the huge girth Of the
trees. They posed in half q dozen diff
ferent scenes. OF course, the little
teacher had no idea Of the identity Of
the friendly lady who was taking most
OF the pictures, otherwise she would
have been immensely flattered when
Mrs. Hoover asked her name and adj
dress. Shortly after our return to town
the teacher received print from each
film in which she and her charges had
figured, with a note Of appreciation for
her cooperation in our amateur photog,
raphy.
One evening around the campfire we
were saying "Old Man Kangaroo" one
OF the childrens favorite classics. Il
was frequently brought to mind by the
robe Of kangaroo fur given to Mr.. Henry
years before by his eldest daughter
the soft. furry thing was invaluable for
camping and for sleeping In the open.
"Auntie Lou, what's Spinifex?" asked
Janet. her snan niece.
"Auntie Lou" described the short.
thick grass. Then she went on to tell
with what amused delight she and Mr..
Hoover iiad hailed the Just-So stories.
They were in Australia ut the time the
tales were first published and knew the
background as they knew California.
watched the play Of the freight across
her mobile features as she talked and
found it difficult to decide what held
the greater charm, her expressive face
or her low-pitched humorous voice.
Thus the days went, delightfully."-.
lazily, not ever to be forgotten. All too
soon came the morning when we broke
camp for the last time. All too soon we
were speeding down the Redwood High
way to San Francisco and Stanford
University.
Mrs. Hooveris love for outdoor living.
the delight she takes In camping and
tramping. her Joy In the simple pleas
ures OF nights spent under the stars.
are likely to have an interesting effect
on presidential vacations for the next
few years. Even II the bill for Sum-
mer White House passes, the President
and his family may 60 to the wiids Or,
one OF the great national parks eaoh'
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