The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-10-30

had been worked out no less system
atically than that Of wounding them.
THANK you, no! We don't want to
waste time," he replied. 1--WE must
get them away with all speed so that
the ambulances may return promptly.
It's only a fteen-minute run to the
hospital, where ev cry comfort and ap-
pliance are ready and where they will
be given the right things to eat"
"Then we will give them some
wine!" Marta persisted.
Not If we can prevent It! Not to
start hemorrhagest The field doctors
have brandy for use when advisable,
and there is brandy in all the ambu-
ilances."
Clearly, volunteer service was not
wanted. There wa no room at the
immediate front for Florence Nightin-
gales in the modem machine of war.
"Then water?"
The major SURGEON aimed to be pa
tent to an earnest, attractive young
woman.
1--WE have sterilized water-we have
everything" he explained. eff we
hadn't at this early stage 1 ought to
be serving an apprenticeship in a vii
lage apothecary shop. Anything that
means confusion, delay, unnecessary
excitement is bad and unmerciful"
Marta was not yet at the end of her
resources. The recollection of the dy-
In, 10 In ho
for a rose in the last war flashed into
mind.
you haven't any flowers! They
won't do any harm, even if they aren't
sterilized. The wounded like flowers,
don't they? Don't yoH like flowers?
Lookl We've millions!"
Eyes, do. They do. A good idea.
Bring all the flowers you want to-"
The major surgeons smile to Marta
was not altogether on account of her
suggestion. 'Tt ought to help anybody
who was ever wounded anywhere in
the world to have you give him a.
fiowerl" he was thinking.
She ran for an armful of blossoms
and was back before the arrival of the
first wounded man who preceded the.
stretcners on foot. He was holding
up a hand bound in a white first-aid
bandage which had red spot in the
center. Those hit in hand or arm, if
the surgeons glance justified it, were
sent on up the road to point a mile
distant, where transportation in requi-
sitioned vehicles W as provided. These
men were triumph ant in their cheer
fulness. They we re alive; they had
done their duty, land they had the
proof Of it in the coming souvenirs of
scars.
Some OF the FORMS On stretchers had
peaceful faces In Inconsistencies of
their condition. Others had look of
wonder, OF pain, of apprehension in
their consciousness that death might
be near. The single word "Shrapnel!"
by a hospital-corps corporal told the
story of crushed or lacerated features.
in explanation of white cloth cover
ing head with body uninjured.
Many Of the wounded looked at
Marta even more than at the flowers.
II was good to see the face of a wom-i
an, her eyes limpid with sympathy,
and 1t was not what she said but thef
way she spoke that brought smiles In
response to hers. For she was no
solemn ministering angel, but high
spirited, CHEEKY, of the sort that the
major surgeon would have chosen to
distribute MOWERS to the men. Every
remark of the victims of war made its
distinct and indelible impression on
the gelatin of her mind.
81 like my blue aster better than
that yellow weed of yours, Toni"
"You didn't know Ed Schmidt got 1t ?
Yes, he was right next to me IN the
line"
Say, did you notice DeIlarme's
smile3 It wRs wonderful"
Sand old Part SfrauaIrvl haard