WASHINGTON, Wednesday—When I bought my newspapers in the Poughkeepsie station yesterday morning, I exclaimed over the news of the shot fired at the Duchess of Kent. How precariously royalty exists! How hard it must be to forget the constant anxiety of those about you! The woman behind the counter, who is an old friend, remarked: "Yes, it certainly is a responsibility to have the King and Queen here. We certainly have to take all possible precautions."
This was interesting in view of the fact that I feel sure many people would protest violently against the orders reported in New York City that all people on the sidewalks where the parade passes, as it goes to the World's Fair, must stand motionless and all windows must be closed.
On the train, a lady came up to me to say how deeply she was interested in this visit and with what interest she read my column to know just what was happening every day. There is no shadow of a doubt in my mind that there are few individuals in any walk of life who are not thinking and wondering about the King and Queen of England. If I needed any further proof, my mail would corroborate this. One of my most amusing letters tells me that on scanning over the menu for dinner at the White House, the writer finds that fish is to be served with a wine sauce, which should never be served with that kind of accompaniment. My correspondent may be soothed with the news that the fish course has been eliminated.
Three people I met yesterday asked me just how to greet the King and Queen, if they have an opportunity to meet them. That reminded me of a story told me in the Yosemite about one of the oldest rangers who was with me on a camping trip. Billy Nelson had accompanied King Albert and the Queen of the Belgians when they went through the Yosemite on their visit to the United States immediately after the World War. They were a charming, royal couple and they understood well the real value of human beings. I am sure that one look at Ranger Billy Nelson's face assured them that he was a grand person. He had been carefully coached, however, as to the proper way of addressing royalty. When he stood before King Albert, he forget everything and, with a reminiscent chuckle, he told me: "I just said `Howdy King' and held out my hand."
I forgot to mention yesterday that the little village of Hyde Park is all decorated in anticipation of the visit of the King and Queen. Every farmer in the vicinity is praying for rain because the crops need it very badly, but I feel sure that the village officials will be deeply disturbed if the flags and bunting are ruined by any real downpour of rain.
When we reached Washington yesterday afternoon, the decorations had begun to appear even in this sophisticated city, which only puts on its gala attire at the very last minute. I found many questions of procedure on my desk awaiting last minute decisions.
ALBANY, N.Y. Tuesday—Miss Thompson and I decided to come up by train yesterday afternoon as I had to be here in time for dinner. It is always a pleasure to come into Albany. For one thing, the taxi drivers are so quick to recognize old friends, and while I imagine they greet everyone with warmth, still it gives one a sense of personal welcome when they seem to remember you as an individual!
I have always thought that Albany had a charm all its own. In the old prints of the city, when it was really nothing but a trading post, one sees the Dutch influence very clearly and I think there is still a feeling of quaintness and old tradition here, in spite of the fact that the population today is as mixed as that in almost every city throughout our country. There are steep hills here, and in the old days I used to be somewhat apprehensive of both driving and walking in the winter months. But I believe our climate is changing, for my husband used to tell me that he remembered when Albany streets were piled high with snow for months and that sleighs and fast-stepping horses were the best means of transportation.
It is so long since I have taken part in state political gatherings that I had a feeling of unreality about my part in the Democratic State Convention until I actually stepped into the DeWitt Clinton Hotel. Then the old and familiar atmosphere seemed to surround me and I began to see familiar faces on every side.
Miss Thompson and I were soon settled in our room, and Miss Doris Byrne, the vice-chairman of the Democratic State Committee, and chairman of the women's division, came up with Mrs. William H. Good, our national committeewoman from New York State, to say "Hello" and to ask me when I could see the ladies of the press. I thought at first I could not be ready for them until after dinner, but I got downstairs while the party for the press was still going on and was led to the press room. Miss Byrne and Mrs. Good sat by while I answered questions.
A little later I attended State Chairman Paul E. Fitzpatrick's dinner, at which Miss Byrne, Mrs. Good and I were the only ladies. Daniel O'Connell, the Albany County Chairman, had arranged the dinner and we teased him a little for being so lavish, but I suppose that is one of the ways that Democrats show their feeling that victory looms in the offing. It was a harmonious meeting, which is always a good sign.
Later in the evening, Thomas F. Boyle, executive vice-chairman of the Democratic State Committee, Walter Brown, head of the speakers' bureau, and I were interviewed on the radio. The local station first presented speakers from the Republican Convention and as I entered the room I heard one speaker say: "Do, do, do, do it with Dewey." To me, this slogan seems unfortunate, because one could also say: "Do, do, do, doom it with Dewey." After the broadcast we immediately went to our rooms to get a good night's rest for today's many activities.