the residence section of Limerick, while Mrs. Clay's most
intimate friend, Mrs. Castleman Smith, was assigned to Third and Fourth
avenues between Kentucky and Hill streets.

One hot afternoon, while Mrs. O'Flannagan was hanging out the wash, the
car of Mrs. Robinson drove up to her door.

"Horace, climb out and tell whoever lives here to come to the car."

The chauffeur knocked on the door and when Mrs. O'Flannagan opened it,
delivered his message. She came out, wiping her wet, water-wrinkled
hands upon her flour-sack apron, supposing that here was another lady
looking for a laundress.

"I am Mrs. Weissinger Robinson and this is Mrs. Decatur Jones. We are
asking subscriptions for the Y. M. C. A. and other kindred institutions,
the money to be used for the comfort and entertainment of our soldier
boys in Europe, to furnish them with shelter huts near the front line
where they may rest, have picture shows, theatricals, innocent games, a
library and be given hot coffee, chocolate and other home-like things;
they will also be given writing materials. We have been asked to visit
each house in this section and ask contributions."

"How nice and home-like that will be for the boys! If every mother
gives, she can be sure her boy over there will share in the giving. I
have saved up forty dollars for winter clothes for my boys, but we will
give ten of it. I am sorry I can not do more."

At night when the canvass of that section was completed Mrs. Robinson
had collected $843.50, while Mrs. Castleman Smith, of the Third Avenue
section, had collected $327.00.

Mrs. Decatur Jones, talking about the contributions with Mrs. Robinson,
said: "I am so glad we put it over that Mrs. Castleman Smith. My husband
gave me twenty-five dollars to contribute, but I thought that was too
much, so gave Mrs. Smith, who had our district, two dollars. I knew
there would be no trouble in collecting this city's apportionment. We
always 'go over the top.' Limerick certainly did beautifully, and I
might just as well have given all the twenty-five dollars, as I lost it
playing bridge."

* * * * *

The necessary fund having been raised by popular subscription, the Y. M.
C. A., K. of C. and Salvation Army began the process of preparation to
send over a corps of workers to look after the spiritual and physical
welfare of the American boys sent overseas and assigned for training or
fighting service to camp or trench in En