132 ADVENTURES IN IDEALISM 



vious arrangement, Mr. Schmidt, always ready to help, 

 was at the door with a large covered wagon. We all 

 jumped in and drove to the new building, which was 

 some distance from the house. Leaving the first load 

 of persons and parcels, he returned for another, bring- 

 ing in addition a half-dozen more volunteer workers. 

 At 4 a. m. the whole staff was ready to begin work, 

 and there was much work to be accomplished by noon. 



At 1 p. m. all the tables were set and the whole 

 synagogue beautifully decorated with plants and flow- 

 ers and bunting. The tables were laden with the finest 

 examples of culinary art that Woodbine housewives 

 could produce roasted turkeys, chickens, geese and 

 ducks; salads of every description; entrees of every 

 sort ; home preserves and canned fruits ; jams and mar- 

 malades; cakes, strawberry and grape wines. 



In another twenty minutes the visitors were ex- 

 pected ! It was time to make the coffee ! A gasoline 

 stove was brought, and one of the workers turned on 

 the flow of gasoline, but, whether through excitement 

 or inexperience, did not shut it off. At once we were 

 horror-stricken! A great flame shot up to the very 

 ceiling, and an unearthly scream arose of: "Fire; 

 Fire!" With marvelous presence of mind, one of the 

 young girls covered her hair and face with a wet towel, 

 ran forward and turned off the flow of gasoline. But 

 for this action the whole building would have gone 

 up in flames before the visitors had even arrived] 



The town had many clubs and benevolent organiza- 



