The evening world., 1908-12-02


when she appears
at wpber's Theatre with Miss Annie
Russell in The Stronger Sex" wears
on the oorsage OF her evening gown the
Royal Red Cross. presented to her ny
King Edward VII. of England for re-
markablc services as trained nurse
with the British forces during the Boer
war IN South Africa.
For two years and a half Mrs. Rorke
followed the fortunes of the British
forces under Col. Plumer, and was the
only woman nurse with the command
When the war broke out she was al
the head of her own sanatoriun IN t8ulu-
wayo. which was making a net profit OF
$1,000 month. This she gave up to
volunteer as an army nurse. ard from
that time was identified with the Plume"
command, being present at the relief OF
Mafekng, and following the army into
the beleaguered city at O'Clock in the
morning.
Wounded in Battle.
Mrs, Rorke was wounded at the am
bush OF Crocodile. Where the British
camp was attacked by the Beers. barely
escaping humiliation.
Among $500 wounded nursed by her
there were only six deaths a record
said TO surpass that of any other nurse
in the world. After being with the SOL
diers in the field for eighteen months,
Mrs Rorke was made matron OF trans
ports, and took 100 sick and wounded
soldiers back to England. only one OF
the entire number surrounding TO his
injuries.
After the relief of Maeklng. the off,
GERS under Colonel Plumer presented
Mrs. Rorke with one of their flags.
which on her return to England the
gallant nurse offered TO Queen Victo-
ria, who sent her a charming letter of
acceptance.
Later In the distribution of coronation
honors King Edward granted her her
proudest decoration-the Royal Red
Cross.
Stage Struck, She Admits.
With this record behind her. and with
the offer of twenty-five matronships OF
hospitals in England. Mrs. Rorke chose
20 come to the United states ana go
on the stage.
Why?
! asked her why when I saw her this
morning, and she answered frankly and
smilingly:
Il was stage struck. I've been stage
struck all my life. Really. l think /
was nurse for other people and now
l want to be an actress for myself.
Ten years of nursing is about all
that a woman with the very strongest
nerves can endure. When you add the
horrors of war to those of the sick
room. as | did for over two years. you
are very glad indeed to take up : more
pleasing occupation.
Il am an English woman by birth.
but went to South Africa with my
father when ] was nine years old, re-
turning TO England only to take my
nursing diploma. l hold every diploma
TO which a trained nurse is eligible.
L was the fifth white woman ever In
and it was IN that terri .
tory. At Buluwayo. l established my
hospital.
Il knew President Kruger and his
wife very well. l love the Boer people |
There never was a crueller or more UNI
just war than that which robbed them
woman though | am, I'm not ashamed
10 say that IT. there is ever another
war. I'll go and nurse for the Beers.
Praises the Boer People.
'They are the most hospta Die people |
In the world, and the klndest. ny, |
before the war they would entertain "A |
stranger tor days, feed his horses, put
up a lunch for MIN to take on his way |
and II he offered them more than a ,
simple 'danke they would be lnsuited
Il don't think / shall ever go back |
that could tempt me from the stage ,
would be the chance to serve those
dear good people"
Mrs Rorke had grown quite excited
about the Beers
perhaps you think 1t strange ~ me |
to talk IN this way. My own people |
were very kind to me. | was received |
by Queen Victoria and the Princess |
Christian, and the King decorated me. |
But when ! think OF those poor Eel
lows marching for days with nothing 10 |
sustain them but piece OF dried beef |
IN their pocket and making such q
forget that ! am an English woman"
And as Mrs. Rorke made her nstound-
jng reputation of the British cause |
which had brought her SO much honor
j forgot IT. too.