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

1
much at home In unroaded mountains
and deserts as in the ba-quet halls and
bathrooms Of social Washington. She
has been entertained by kings and
princes in their palaces and she also
has been served bacon and beans from
the camp fire Of mountain guides. She
has met both with an ease and charm
that are distinctive part Of her Zest
for living.
It did not Just happen that Mrs.
Hoover became the leader Of the Girl
Scouts Of America. She had been asked
to head several dozens OF useful and
important organizations. The Girl Scout
idea won her because it offered an op.
portunity to lead the young girls Of
America into the great outdoors and to
teach them to love what she calls the
beautiful and wonderful world in which
they live.
This was no mere theory with Mrs.
Hoover. It is one Of her abiding faiths
that every life needs some communion
with nature. Ask her suddenly any day
where she would like to be for the wish
ing OF 1t, and the answer surely will
come: I'm the red woods" or ION Ia
malpais," or ION the desert" or "by the
sea-"
There is serenity In Mrs. Hoover's
personalfty-at Is chiseled In her fine
tfeatureS-which Is found only In men
and women who have detached them
selves from petty things have looked at
life from the mountain top and accept
ed the will Of God. The pioneers had
this look. It Is something that marks
men who have gone into the far places
and won big battles as part Of the
game Of life.
Once saw a world traveller watch
Mrs. Hoover going up the 8 street hill
to her Washington home with that fine
Joyous swing as she walked.
II don't know who she is" he said
but she has climbed n1ountains-or she
could"
ITO see Mrs. Hoover at a White House
function or an embassy dinner or q
cabinet reception Is to meet a woman
OF great poise and charm and unusual
gifts. But to see her In camp, rocghing
1t, taking her share Of the drudgery-
frequently more than her shares to
know splendid sportswoman. Long
the game. She Is efficient, and more.
For years she has been sought for
every camping party. No one has ever
camped with her who has not become
an ardent convert to camping. Thou
sands Of Girl Scouts have been thrilled
and inspired by her.
The few of us who have had the
privilege Of joining the Hoover family
camping parties have carried with us
Lady Of the Land.
Mrs. Hoover and her father and sister
and small niece and nephew and were
going camping in September last year
in. the California mountains. They
were all expert outdoor folk and they
were full OF happy plans for the outing.
Its was my first venture.
We started from the Hoover home at
stamford University. When every one
and everything was ready the lady Of
the house stepped out Of the green
front door, and letters, affairs of the
Observation-Disclosures left behind:
showed far into the background. She
took the wheel OF one Of her cars Mr..
Henry. always rode beside his eldest
daughter.
The redwood country was our destina-
ton, with q side trip through Napa, So
mona and Lake Counties. We would
but for an untoward thing which befell
one Of the cars near Vallejo. Some
thing broke, which could be replaced
only from the head ONCE In San Fran
cisco-and the last boat was leaving
the city In a few moments. 1t was
Saturday-we might be held over until
Monday!
Suddenly the manager of the COM
pany had an inspiration. "I'n take the
part down to the ferry myself and catch
that boat II It's humanity possible.
There's nothing I'd not do for Mr..
Hoover or his family" He was as good
as his word, showing spontaneous,
unasked-for loyalty that enabled US to
continue happily on our way early the
next morning. One encounters 1t con.
stantly In connection with that quiet,
remarkable man, Mr.. Herbert Hoover.
That night we camped out for the
first time. was no camper. Efficiently
and quickly they got organized. Soon
roll of bedding and curled down. I
hated to ask for help. so sat bumped
in the dim moonlight. No one noticed
me at first. Then Mrs. Hoover looked
4 up and asked with q laugh in her
voice:
whats the matter?"
They all chuckled. not unkindly, as
explained that didn't know how to
get parked. i
"oh, its very simple,s she said, re-
assuringly, and came over to prove the
truth Of her words.
She showed me how. with one quick
motion. to unite the knot in the rope
around the roll. She explained how to
place the canvas covering so that It
would be both above and below the
bedding; she showed me how to re-
move rocks and clods to insure smooth
place for my bed. Also she told me
the best way to get In and stay put
when once there.
I'VE stayed couple of days at the
Geysers, in Sonoma County, on
the way to which an accident was mar.
rowly avoided 1t is an illustration Of
Mrs. Hoover's courage and quick de-
cision. A second Of time and an inch
Of space means the difference between
life and death
| A carelessly driven car whiskcd
around q sharp curve and was brought
to a quivering stop with q wheel hang
ing over precipice and no room In
the narrow road to pass. Mrs. Hoover
instantly, quietly, took charge of the
situation. Pulling her car as close to
the bank as possible, she moved forward
q single inch, then directed the lad on
the outside to do the same. Another
inch, each one, until the two machines
Matias, her fathers driver, while he
likewise passed. Finally all was well
and we breathed easily again.
She knew how close to, death we had
been. But this thought did not cloud
her judgment.
Good Judgment is one Of her strong
characteristics. Tender and sympa.
4 thetic, generous to a fault, Mrs. Hoo
ver's emotions never drive her into q
panic. She has faced danger many
times In her life and she has learned
to meet it with her mind clear and her
courage strong. She never seems to
be weighed down by conscious re-
camping trip she seems to be forever
looking out for some tenderfoot--or
sharpening the thrills that should be