Evening star., 1936-02-23

Band for their radio hour she has
given the exclusive privilege of pro-
ducing certain of her compositions.
Among these are "A Lullaby" II Cam
not Forget Thee" Keep Me Close to
Thee" "A Parting Token" and "The
Evening Prayer
Mrs. Gillett is childless, but is the
devoted and well-beloved friend of
all her friends children. She is never
lonely nor lonesome, although she
lives alone in her Twentieth street
home, except for her faithful servants.
You'd be surprised" she told me,
show very busy the musical children
of my latter days keep me-"
Mrs. Gillett was Ellen Gratz of
Philadelphia, the daughter of Edwin
Gratz, whose father and grandfather
before her owned the building at Sew
enth street and Market space, where
the Declaration of independence was
signed.
Her country nome at Wallingford,
inherited from her father, is on the
old stage coach road to the Brandy
wine, and it was here that Gen. Wash
ington rested for the night before
going on to the Battle of the Brandy
wine, as Is shown in memorial tablet
recently placed upon this 200-year-old
Colonial residence.
Mrs. Gillett is modest. gracious
person. AS we sat in her upstairs
sitting room where her piano is, with
the automobile traffic on Connecticut
avenue swirling by. We were of the
modern world, yet strangely apart
from it. Her nimble fingers seemed
as supple as those of girl in her
teens as they evoked ringing marches
or lovely ballads of her own compo-
sition in response TO our 1nslstent
entreaties, for hers is the old
fashioned courtesy that considers a
guests wish her law. What wealth
of imagery is hers and what rich
philosophy of life, as well as love
of her fellow human beings.
Evening Star Rhyme.
The Evening Star has followed Mrs.
Gillett Winter and Summer for IS
years About it she has written this
little rhyme. which / have persuaded
her to let me quote:
There is Star that follows me,
Follows me all my way,
And keeps me thoroughly posted
In the happenings of each day.
Sometimes it sounds warning note.
! Sometimes note of cheer.
You can have that same bright Star
And have it by the year
The Washington Evening Star"
Mrs. Gillett's home is a storehouse
Of interesting possessions. As visited
with her in her drawing room I sat
in a lovely old chair which had once
belonged to Martha Washington.
Nearby was an exquisite medallion
table that had been the treasured pos
session of a noble Austrian family.
There are beautiful bits of statuary
and fine old mirrors. A white Wedge.
wood pitcher of unusually large di-
mensions with clusters of grapes form
ing its unique handle has done duty
as wine pitcher, grape wine always
bcAiS Sclscu 1IOU II. CQlI6 CldC
would delight a connoisseur crowds
her dining room cabinets.
What seems to be the model of a
Viennese house is fascinating music
box which renders "a tunes, and is in
itself a veritable band concert. AS
it plays. windows light up, a pump
begins to work, little. birds come out
from their boxes on poles and tiny
figures appear upon the balconies
holding musical instruments in their
hands as If they were actually play
ing the tunes which you hear.
There are many rare and interesting
pictures. A treasured one because of
its memories is that of "Gyp Gillett."
the Gilletts' bull terrier who came
from the Kent Kennels, England. and
once belonged to royalty. He was sent
from England as a gift to Mr.. Gillett
In his own right "Gyp" had a pass
from the president of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad and from the Pullman
Co. emitting him to ride in the
Pullman with his master and mis-