Page 76 - 1918 February - To Dragma

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 169

comes the music of guitars and songs, or a wild country dance, and
then the party is over.

I t is always a delight, this first party, and an effective impetus to
start the ball rolling f o r the year. Especially was it necessary this
year of all others, when the spell of the war hangs heavy over every-
one, and the demands are so great that energies must be trebled to
meet them.

The major work of the alumnae chapter is as formerly, Americani-
zation of immigrants through teaching in the afternoon schools pro-
vided by the New Orleans "Daughters of the American Revolution."
As yet the work has not been positive owing to changes in the
administration of the D . A. R., and difficulty in securing a suitable
school building. I n addition to these hindrances, the alumnae no
longer have the help of Innes Morris in the work, as since her
marriage, she is living out of the city. Her splendid leadership and
spirit, her tact and irresistible personality are sorely missed. But the
chapter is ready to work with redoubled vigor in the hope of inspiring
ignorant aliens with true love of America, of educating them to ideals
of citizenship, and thus contributing in a measure to the vast work
of making democracy safe for the world.

The mention of Innes brings the thought of her wedding, the first
event of real importance in the chapter annals for the year. As
Virginia Withers remarked in her letter to the out-of-town alumnae
(which by the way is a news letter f u l l of live interest to all Alpha
O's, sent twice a year to all Pi alumnae not in New Orleans), nobody
but Innes could have had a wedding just like hers, impressive, lovely,
formal, yet naive and informal all at the same time. Nobody but
Innes would have nodded her head in response at the altar, and
nobody but Innes would have gone off on her wedding trip with her
knitting bag unconcernedly over her arm. The station that night
was an interesting scene. There were the Boy Scouts whom Innes
had organized gathered round the platform of the sleeping car; there
were the wedding party and many who had been guests at the recep-
tion, all in festive attire; and there were Innes and her husband
standing on the platform of the Pullman, nodding, smiling, and
talking to everybody at once.

"Three cheers for Miss Innes!" proclaimed the Bov Scouts, but
this was followed up quickly by a whispered. "Aw—ain't you 'shamed
—that ain't right!" Then came loudly, "Three cheers for Missis
Ellis!" and still more loudly. "Three cheers f o r Mr. and Missis
Ellis," as the train pulled out of the station.

The only other excitement the chapter has had was our Grand
President's visit, which came more or less as a surprise though we