of the Auxiliary or the O. R. C. in sickness, trouble or distress we make ourselves a com mittee of one to call and offer condolence and assistance. I think it is a commendable undertaking. Our President believes in making every member of the organization do something, and we surprise ourselves with what we can accomplish through the little acts of kindness that we can do all unawares.

How soon another year, bright and new with its unsullied pages will be upon us and this year will be among the past, and as we look back over the past twelve months and see how very little we have accomplished in an upper direction let us make a resolution to profit by the experience of the past. Sisters, let us try and be better and do better.

It was an inspiration at the annual banquet to hear the Sisters who spoke; it was "our Grand President this," and "our Grand President that." It did me lots of good. The women in the northwest appreciate what the Grand President has done for us all.

By the way, I heard one of the Brothers speak about our Grand President the other day, and he said he thought that she was one of the most level-headed women he ever saw. That same man has a wife, a cranky one at that, but she just admired him for his good judgment. I can almost hear, or see, rather, our Grand President blush. But Sisters we are to be congratulated in having such a head as that, and it is no wonder that our organization is prospering as it is. Long may she live to wave the banner of suc-cess over us all.

Our regular meeting fell on yesterday the day before Thanksgiving day and we thought we would celebrate the day by starting a little relief work, each one present contributed a small sum of money and our president appointed a committee to purchase a turkey to send to the home of a Brother who has an invalid wife and he himself has but recently met with a serious accident and there are small children at their home. Our relief society also arranged to hold several special meetings to make clothing for the family. So you see we are not banded together for nothing, we can do some good and each one, of their abundance should be willing to contribute a little toward alleviating the suffering of those who are in distress. Our Auxiliary thought that would be a most fitting way to celebrate Thanksgiving, and we have started the ball rolling; we may celebrate Christmas and New Years in the same way.

We voted to give our delegate $75.00 for expenses to Pittsburg. We also voted to give ten minutes of each meeting to the study of Roberts' Rules of Order.

ent homes of the Sisters, at which they charge ten cents.

In June death visited the home of Sister Moran and took the beloved husband and father. She has the sympathy of the Sisters in her sorrow. Another, Brother Riley, is sick, he having trouble so it affected his mind. We all hope he will be better.

On October 21 and 22 we had a school of instruction. The Sisters of Auxiliary 139, Milwaukee, Wis., and Auxiliary 56, Escanaba, Mich., were with us. Sister Grand President Moore gave us some very good instructions. The Sisters that didn't come don't know how much they missed. The Grand President gave quite a talk on insurance, saying how each Sister ought to think of the future.

One evening Sister Geer took all the Sisters that could go, to a theater. From what I heard they all enjoyed it. The next night Auxiliary 114 gave a reception to the visiting Sisters and friends.

Sister Sykes presented Grand President Sister Moore and Inspector Sister Valentine of Auxiliary 56 of Escanaba, each with a bunch of carnations in behalf of Auxiliary 114. The evening ended with a social hop. Refreshments were served. Come again, Sisters, we will have a good time. Especially Sister Sykes, who gave us a cake walk. She won the cake. Our Brothers are planning for their annual dance.

How the time does fly! Here we are again in December, ready for election of officers for the new year. MRS. JOHN W. HUME.

Oconto, Wis.

Editor Railway Conductor:

It has been some time since Auxiliary 139 has been heard from. We have by no means been idle, are still prospering, and on the move forward.

We closed our doors during the summer months, but have begun our winter's work in good earnest. In addition to our regular meetings we are having two socials a month, given at the homes of the members; some of them have been Kensington teas; at others cinch has been the order of the day. Light refreshments are served, and a dime charged to help pay for the same. We hope by having the members meet in this way to promote sociability, and get better acquainted with each other.

On September 24, by invitation of White City Auxiliary, our officers went to Chicago, to the school of instruction, and did the initiatory work, with great credit to themselves and our Auxiliary. They report it a great success and very instructive.

In October we were invited by Green Bay Auxiliary to be present at their school of instruction. A number of the ladies went and derived much benefit from it. They were most royally entertained, and had a very delightful time. Your correspondent would have enjoyed both of the trips, but the continued illness of her best beloved keeps her closely at home.

In October we had our Grand President with

us at a special meeting, and were delighted to have her present at one of our socials.

We are now very busy making preparations for our annual party, to be given November 18, in Ivanhoe Temple.

Several of our members have been on the sick list, and I am sorry to have to report the continued illness of Sister Vebber. We miss her bright and cheery face at our meetings. She has the earnest wish of all for her speedy recovery.

Our Sunshine Box is passed at every meeting. We use this money to purchase flowers for our sick Sisters and Brothers; the flowers are always appreciated. They are often accompanied by a note expressing our love and sympathy, for sympathy, next to love, is the divinest passion of the human heart. It was Rev. Dr. Musgrove who said, "Do not keep the alabaster boxes of your love and tenderness sealed up until your friends are dead. Fill their lives with sweetness. Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them and while their hearts can be made happier by them. The kind things you mean to say when they are gone, say before they go. The flowers you mean to send for their coffins, send to brighten their homes before they leave them. If my friends have alabaster boxes laid away, full of fragrant perfumes of love and affection, which they intend to break over my dead body-I would rather they would bring them out in my weary and troubled hours, and ●pen them that I may be refreshed and cheered by them while I need them. I would rather have a plain coffin without a flower, a funeral without an eulogy, than life without sweetness and sympathy. Let us learn to anoint our friends beforehand for their burial. Post mortem kindness does not cheer the troubled spirit. Flowers on the coffin cast no fragrance backward over life's weary way."

We are again close on to our annual election We have only words of praise for our corps of efficient, earnest officers. Some of you may remember the few thoughts I wrote in the February, 1901, CONDUCTOR, in the form of an acrostic, of my idea what our President should be. Well, Sister Sykes has proved to be just that ideal one, and we have had a year of perfect peace and harmony. MRS. OTIS F. WILLIS.

Milwaukee, Wis.

Editor Railway Conductor:

It has been so long since Auxiliary 137 was heard from I am fearful as the time for the annual election rolls around as some other Sister may aspire to this honor, hence this communication. We really and truly have all been on a summer vacation. Some of us enjoying the cooling breezes of Colorado: others on an extended trip through the Dakotas, Montana and Washington; and still others in Missouri and Nebraska. In fact, all of us have been taking a vacation from Auxiliary meetings, but with the invigorating north wind blowing we hope to awake from our lethargy and put on new life and energy and be once more in our places. Did it ever occur to you that the success of your Auxiliary depended on you? Did you ever

think how much your President needs your presence and help? We are prospering and I am sure each and every member is proud of the work done by this Auxiliary. We are so sorry some of our members are non-residents, Sister Davis having gone to Houston, Sister Bowen to Greenville and Sister Humphrey to Denver. We miss their presence and words of counsel in our deliberations yet we hope they will, some time in the near future, take up their abode with us again. I give you fair warning now, Sisters, that our next vacation may be spent with you, and you may find yourselves some day with a "Louise party" consisting of the whole Auxiliary.

Sisters Wood and Griffith have been so unfortunate as to lose all their household effects by fire. We deeply sympathize with them and have tried to lend them a helping hand. Sister Dougan's little son has fully recovered from an attack of diphtheria, but Sister Flemiken's brother is still very ill. In these trials we come to know and realize more fully what this Order is to us, that we have Sisters, not by the ties of blood, but by that tie that binds us so closely together-Charity, Truth and Friendship.

We are looking forward with much pleasure the visit from our Deputy Grand President, Sister Ingraham. She always inspires us to renewed efforts and noble deeds, and we only regret her visits are annual ones. We shall try to have our goat in perfect training so as to get good mark on our inspection. And then, too, we have a candidate.

We are always glad to welcome new members, and are happy to have Sister Pearson with us again. With best wishes for all Divisions of the O. R. C. and Ladies' Auxiliaries. Cleburne, Tex.

Editor Railway Conductor:

CORRESPONDENT.

It may surprise a few readers of the CONDUCTOR to hear that Auxiliary 87 is still existing but nevertheless it's true and a more prosperous, flourishing and ambitious Auxiliary is hard to find. Sister J. S. Carr, our president, has most zealously guided this band of Sisters for the past two years and much of its success is due to her untiring energy. New members have been added almost every month and all of these have been loyally welcomed. Several have proved to be very willing workers. A few of our older members have recently suffered reverses of fortune which only those who suffer similarly can understand. Would that such could be avoided. No doubt you would have heard from Auxiliary 87 before this had not the duly elected correspondent, Sister Waters, declined in health so as to necessitate her removal to San Antonio, Texas, to a more congenial climate. We are delighted to hear that she is much better and hope to have her among us again in the near future. We certainly miss this willing worker from among us as we also miss our Sisters in Galveston and in Lufkin. If they could live in Houston' 'tis very certain that they would attend regularly. In looking back over the past year several social

and interesting events can be recalled. Entertainments in the hall in the early part of the year were popular, followed closely by an afternoon tea at the cozy new home of Sister T. Ferguson, which was enjoyed. Then came the instructive session and reception to our Grand President, Sister J. H. Moore, whose visit to Houston in June will long be remembered by many. A lawn social given at the close of the summer season on the beautiful lawn at Sister W. J. Hoover's home was a thorough realization of pleasure and profit, just what was hoped for. Besides the sale of ice cream and cake a grab basket was arranged which charmed the little folks and captured the nickels. The prolonged illness of our Sister Farrel is sad, but the good Sisters are visiting her daily and are hopeful for her speedy recovery. A letter in the November number of THE CONDUCTOR from Sister F. A. Noble of Yellow Rose Auxiliary, of Palestine, Text, has been read. We are very sorry to note that piteous plea for better attendance and more interest from such source. Such an urgent appeal will surely arouse the members to activity and the Yellow Rose will assume its usual brightness.

The writer can remember the once flickering spark of an Auxiliary kept glowing, though faintly, for some time by the persistency and faith of our Sister Grand President, until hope regained itself and the Auxiliary was saved. Be brave, Sister Noble, and your banner will wave. Houston Auxiliary has been lucky for Division 7, O. R. C., gave us a handsome desk. Many thanks to the boys, but not for worlds would we rob our neighbor Auxiliary. Doing kind deeds is our motto. Houston, Tex.

MRS. G. W. SHEARER.

Editor Railway Conductor:

We would not have our Sister Auxiliaries think that Auxiliary 3 is sleeping, unless the correspondent is enjoying a trip to dream land. Well, we will inform the readers of THE CONDUCTOR that our Auxiliary is very wide awake, initiating new members and giving our bi-monthly socials, the next one to be held at the home of Sister Dyer on Thanksgiving eve.

A number of our ladies attended the school of instruction given by Auxiliary 6, Toledo, Ohio. Our ladies gave the Huntington drill and carried away the honors. They were royally entertained by Division 6. Through the kindness of Superintendent M. S. Conors they returned home in a private car.

One of the most enjoyable gatherings was held September 30. We were invited to the country home of Sister Crumley for dinner. Although it rained continually nearly all day, it was not wet enough to dampen the spirits of our ladies. After a ride of about twelve miles, all were ready to partake of the fried chicken, hot potatoes, salads. jellies, fruits and numberless other good things prepared to refresh the inner man. Covers were laid for thirty, Sister Crumley proving herself a charming hostess. Mrs. Gardner and little daughter, of Illinois, were Mrs. Crumley's house guests. On October

19 Mrs. Crumley left for the South, in hope of regaining her lost health. A large number of friends gathered at the depot to bid her goodby. Just before the train started, Mrs. Soules, in behalf of Auxiliary 3, presented her with a large bouquet of pink and white carnations.

A short time ago a pleasant evening was spent. at the home of Mrs. R. C. Hovey in honor of her house guest, Mrs. C. F. Merrill, of Auxiliary 65, Waukesha, Wis., and on the evening of Oct. 27 we surprised the chairman of our social committee, Sister Geo. Milbourne with a china shower, it being her anniversary. She also received a handsome piano from her husband. The guests departed wishing them many happy returns.

On October 29 we gave a dance and card party. Great honor is due to the twenty ladies who gave the drill of the Order. It was a great success, both socially and financially.

I enjoy reading the letters in THE CONDUCTOR and am always looking for one from Auxiliary 65 and Division 259. What is the trouble with those Divisions? We never see a letter from either of them, and we are positive that both are hustlers, so we are unable to account for their long silence. Wake up, Sisters and Brothers, and let us hear from you. With best wishes for all O. R. C. and L. A. to O. R. C. Columbus, O. MRS. ROBT. C. HOVEY.

Editor Railway Conductor:

The old year is drawing to a close; soon the new year will be here and our new officers will take their places, and as I look back I wonder if we have all tried to do what we could to make the Auxiliary better. Those of us who have not; why not make that one of our new year resolutions. to try and do better next year.

Another new Auxiliary has been organized. This time at Sayre, Pa. Sister Walsh brought home a fine report, she being the only one who went from here. She spoke of the fine beginning they had made and that they were most royal entertainers. Sisters, we extend to you our best wishes for success.

Have you heard about our Quilt Club. Everyone has heard of soap clubs, but this is a quilt club. If any Brother or Sister would like to know more about it, if they will come to one of our sewing socials or picnic suppers or to the Division room some meeting day, it will be fully explained.

Brother and Sister Van Kuren have returned from a very pleasant trip to Washington and Virginia.

Brothers and Sisters, in behalf of Auxiliary 80, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and happy New Year. MAC. Elmira, N. Y.

Editor Railway Conductor:

As the time draws near for election we wish to say a word in praise of our officers, both past and present. The past year Sister McQuiston filled the president's chair with much credit to herself and our Auxiliary, and we are indeed

grateful to her for many acts of kindness and the dignified bearing which we naturally expect from our presiding officer. Words cannot express our deep sense of gratitude and appreciation to Sister Rhinehart, who has been our faithful secretary and treasurer. We hope she will serve us for many more terms. July 31st we held our annual picnic at Kennywood Park. It was a success in every way. Since my last letter we initiated four Sisters and have one to initiate at our next meeting. Our junior sister has been absent for two months on account of the death of her husband. Sister Leech has the deep sympathy of us all. I regret to say that Sister George Miller is still confined to her room, suffering with a sprained foot. We each have a burden to bear at one time or another in life, and we have sympathy for all Sisters who are ill or are wading through trials. Reading THE CONDUCTOR I notice the hand of sorrow has been laid on many shoulders during the year. How thankful we should be that our turn has not yet come, but who can tell what the future will bring forth. As this letter will end the term of your humble scribe as correspondent to THE CONDUCTOR I wish to express our gratitude to the editor for many past favors and also to thank the members of our Auxiliary for the patience and forbearance with which they have endured my many errors. Wishing all O. R. C. Divisions and L. A's. a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. MRS. PHILIP MOONLY.

Pittsburg, Pa.

Editor Railway Conductor:

Well, it is better late than never. I will say a few words in behalf of Auxiliary 48. We are getting along nicely and have reason to feel proud of our success in every respect as I have no news to report but good news and all working in harmony. If there are any little mistakes made we look them over and practice our motto. It is a splendid guide for us. We had a lovely visit from Mrs. Crumley of Columbus, Ohio. She was on her way to Asheville, N. C., to spend the winter. We enjoyed her stay very much and she gave us so many points of information in our work. Words cannot express our appreciation of her. Sisters of Auxiliary 48 extend thanks to Sister Crumley. Come and see us again.

The convention of the B. of L. F. held in this city last month at the auditorium was a great success. I had the great pleasure of attending some of their meetings. I looked the crowd over and can truthfully say a more elegant lot of gentlemen and ladies I never have seen together. I enjoyed all of the speeches. Mr. F. P. Sargent, the Grand Master of the B. of L. F., deserves special mention. In his remarks I can see he is a friend to the widows and orphans. Grand Chief E. E. Clark of the Order of Railway Conductors was one of the speakers and it made me feel proud to know I belonged to the Auxiliary to O. R. C. when he made his appearance on the platform, for his remarks were well chosen and his personality shows him to be a man of deep thought and rare intelligence, which was

further shown when President Roosevelt selected him as one of the arbitrators to settle the big strike. No better selection could have been made. President Roosevelt is a friend of organized labor. He is a friend to the railroad man. I had the pleasure of hearing him speak on that subject, also he is an honorary member of the B. of L. F. and I could not help but feel we are one big family. We know that here is a love, of which we are a part, that sheds its rays upon us all.

Our dime socials are a great success. The last ones were given at the homes of Sisters Allison and Wells and all vote them fine entertainers. One of the surprise parties that Auxilaries 148 and 48 are noted for giving was given to Brother and Sister Griffitts on their 20th anniversary of their marriage, and to show their love and friendship to them they were surprised with an elegant set of china. Brother and Sister Griffitts were so overcome they could not speak. To you, dear friends, may each day bring thee something fair to hold in memory-some true light to shine upon thee in the after days is the wish of your friends. Auxiliary 48 is growing and we have lots to be thankful for. I hope to have more news to report next time. Chattanooga, Tenn.

Mrs. Louise Oliver.

Editor Railway Conductor:

Auxiliary 103 is doing some splendid work, taking in one or two members each meeting and have several more applications. On September 1st Sister Rice of Pittsburg and Sister Milborn of Columbus visited us. It being Labor Day and there being a large Labor Day parade of fraternal orders, the attendance was very small. We are sorry but hope when they come again we can make a better showing. Come again, Sisters. We have an average attendance of about twentyfive.

Brother Adkins has resigned his position here and has gone to the far west and started in business for himself, where the caller does not bother him, and Sister Adkins will join him in the spring. The Order is sorry to lose two such worthy members. We join in wishing them success in all their undertakings

Sisters Houser, Love and Elliott presented the Order with fifty match scratchers to be sold for the benefit of the Order. Sister McClintoch gave us a nice quilt and we are hustling like good fellow s selling chances on it.

The correspondent gave a quiet little dinner in honor of Sister Elliott of St. Louis in October. There is a new arrival at the house of Brother and Sister Davis. He is braking now but expects to be promoted soon. We have arranged to meet on the 24th inst. to pack a box of provisions for the conductors' home for a Thanksgiving offering. We will have our inspection the last meeting in December if it can be arranged satisfactorily.

Sunday, November 16, was election of officers for the Brother conductors. We think they made a good selection, after which, by request of the Brothers, the L. A. served supper from six until eight. Covers were spread for

two hundred fifty and after the inner man was satisfied there was a public installation. A splendid programme was rendered-both vocal and instrumental-by the ladies' quartet and Beisenher's band. Recitations by the young folks and a cake walk by two little ones that brought down the house. A speech by Attorney General Taylor that will long be remembered by the boys that were in service on the rails twenty years ago. The L. A. was the last on the programme but not least. They rendered an exemplified drill which was pronounced a grand success in every part. Father Gavisk opened the ceremonies with prayer and was also on the programme for a speech, in which he did nobly. I almost forgot to mention that the L. A. received 25 cents per plate and the Brothers of 103 pay all the bills, which netted a nice sum for our treasury. Brother Nelson, better known as Rags, was there and after a spirited contest, we are told, was elected Junior Conductor, but he seemed very nervous all evening, even at the table where any man ought to control himself, but we afterwards learned the cause of his nervousness-(it is a baby girl).

I will bring this letter to a close wishing all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Indianapolis, Ind. MRS. J. E. BROOM.

Editor Railway Conductor:

In looking over THE CONDUCTOR for November it was amusing to see other Auxiliaries than Auxiliary 97 complain of a small attendance at meetings. It is very discouraging to the officers whom you help to elect and expect to have them all in their places.

One of the Sisters suggested a sum of money be drawn from the treasury and purchase a handsome piece of china-each member attending three meetings be given a chance. The result was from the average attendance of eight or ten at the most, out of a membership of thirtyeight, twenty-one were there. Some Sister will be the lucky one, and we have quite a joke about it. L. A. to O. R. C. is no different from other societies. Something new must be brought up to keep up the interest.

On our last meeting day we had Sister Bushee, President of Fort Wayne Auxiliary, with us. A visiting Sister is always welcome.

Two new members have been added since my last letter. Sisters Clark and Flenner. Sister Clark has filled offices pro tem, like an old hand at the business. Look out for election day, Sister.

Several of the Sisters attended the school of instruction given by Auxiliary 100. All profited by it. Those who remained at home regretted not to have Sister Moore make us a short call and listen to her words of wisdom, when she was so near.

A number of the railroad boys are ill with typhoid fever, and some have lost their lives.

Sister Flynn, chairman of thelsick committee, never forgets or neglects any one with the L. A.'s small offering of flowers.

Not so much what you give as the manner in which you give it.

Trusting this is my last letter for your magazine-let some one else make you weary the coming year. With many blessings to all readers of THE CONDUCTOR. Aurora, Ill.

MRS. W. A. CHITTENDEN.

Editor Railway Conductor:

Often when reading of the death of a member of the Auxiliary in the columns of THE CONDUCTOR, I have thought to myself: "Oh! how they are going to miss her in the Auxiliary room!" and I have pictured their sad faces, tearful eyes and saddened voices as they frame the resolutions or sympathy beneath the draped charter. But, oh! Now, when it is our own dear Sister Carroll, whom many that attended the Grand Division in Detroit in 1899, will doubtless remember, whose death we are called upon to record, it seems to me that no other Auxiliary has ever been so bereft-that no other Auxiliary has ever missed a member as we shall miss her.

Sister Mary Carroll died Saturday, October 4, after a long and painful illness, and Bethlehem Auxiliary has lost one of its most active, tried and true members. The memory of her generous spirit and wise counsel will cause her vacant chair to appeal more sorrowfully to our aching hearts.

How well do I remember many little talks we have had together. One in particular, last June, soon after the memorial services which the members of Cleveland Division 14 O. R. C. and Auxiliary held jointly. She came over to my house, just around on the next street, to talk it over. She had been called upon to address the meeting, but had declined on account of being unable to control her emotions. Said she: "There were a few things I would like to have said to them. I would have spoken to those whose wives are not members of the Auxiliary, and told them of some of its benefits, and urged them to use their influence to cause their wives to unite with us. I would have spoken of the great benefit such organization is to the railway people, especially in times of sickness and trouble. I would have told them how, when I heard of Brother Stack's accidental death, I climbed over my back fence and rushed over to tell you, and how we two together hastened to poor Sister Stack in her great sorrow; while, had we never organized we probably would never even known each other, to enable us to offer such sympathy. I would have told them of the flowers sent to cheer the sick, and to soothe the bleeding hearts, but my tears would flow and I could not control my voice. Oh," said she, "If those women only knew what it means to belong to each other in times of trouble, I am sure they would all join the Auxiliary."

Sister Carroll was our banner bearer, and it will be long ere we forget the solemn tones of her voice as she said; "And as link by link the membership chain is broken by death, may we all have the assurance within our hearts that the spirit of our motto, 'Charity, Truth and Friendship,' has been the rule of our lives."

Sister Carroll has served the Auxiliary in