Evening star., 1936-05-03
About Well-KnOwn Folk
In Books, Art, Politics
"A Josef de Ribera in National Museum
Becker, President General D. A. R.
Collection of Rare Almanacs


ganization, but just now she Is
vitally interested in movement
to bring larger numbers Of young
people into the D. A. r. Young peo-
pie, who in years to come will have
to carry on the work of that wonder
full army of women who devote them
selves to keeping alive the work and
aspirations of the founding fathers.
Owing to the many active social and
business organizations which appeal
to young people nowadays, many
of them think of the national society
of the daughters, as more OF an aSSo-
citation devoted to cherishing the tra-
ditions of the past, and not as the
twentieth century body Of women who
are interested not only in all patriotic
movements but in every branch OF
social, educational and civic welfare.
Since she was elected head Of the
society Mrs. Becker has visited ma
jority of the States and kept in touch
with the work, motives and ambi-
tions of the chapters. A college woman
with that verve and vivacity and un-
derstanding which appeals to youth.
she has made it a point to contact
the younger people in the chapters.
Mrs. Becker Is Jubilant
Over 50 New Junior Groups.
Seen that morning in her "peachy'
office-which by the way gives tone
to Mrs. Beckers snappy hats and
frocks-hat at just the right angle
and frock the last word in smartness
not one of those fluffy creations
which she wears when she dons the
colonial blue sash which makes her
resemble a field marshal-but an hon.
t-to-goodness business suit. oh yes;
when seen that morning she was
simply jubilant over the so new jun
ior groups formed the past year.
Groups interested in procuring clothes.
carfare and small necessities to en-
able girls and boys to continue in
high school; the activities at Ellis
Island, such as classes and general
instruction in American history and
laws; the promotion of better and
more suitable plays staged by the
young people; marionette shows, tab
leaux of historical events and other
wholesome amusements. She thinks
every boy and girl should at least go
through high school; that they should
have healty, interesting amusements;
she likes boys and girls clubs. and be-
ing very thoroughly conversant with
the crime situation in this and other
countries she believes that much of
it is due to the early environment Of
the young.
To return to the collection of al
manacs: They had every conceivable
kind of information, as one stated
From the creation of the world, ac-
cording to the best prophane history"
They must have Sad a good deal to
do with the education of the young
as well as the old in the early Colonial
days in America when a library or
even few books we're a rarity with a
majority of the first settlers. They
had recipes for cooking and nostrums;
for religious and moral training; selec-
tions from the best literature of the
time as well as selections from the
classics. They gave advice on all sub
jects and had all the information an
almanac usually has. But one of the
most delightful things many of them
had we're short stories in the back Of
the small, quaint paper-bound PAM
phlets If the story were continued
it appeared in the almanac Of the
following year.
The Life and Adventures
OF a Female Soldier.
In Isiah Thomas New England
Almanack or the Massachusetts, Cal
endar for the Year of Our Lord Christ,
ITS. being the Third after Bissextile
or Leap Year." is a most exciting,
gripping story of the Life and Ad-
venture Of Female Soldier" in Eng
land. Her name was Hannah Smell,
and when, after the birth of her baby,
she was cruelty deserted by her un-
faithful husband, revenge more than
love filled her heart, so she decided
to don male attire and enlist in his
majesty's service. She enlisted in
l745 at Coventry and marched with
her regiment-believing her spouse
was in that part Of the country, she
made friends everywhere and so sue
cessful was she in deceiving her own
sex that she excited the jealousy of
one of her superior officers who was
attentive to country wench, and
was dismissed from the service. She
later re-enlisted-but the story was to