The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1914-09-17


but if there should be no demand
for such labor, maids-of-allwork and
buffers seemed the only avenues left
open to US. So in a half-serious and
half-joking way we bided our time
until one morning few days later
We heard that trains were again run
ming to Paris.
We hastily packed our luggage and
got to the station just in time TO
jump on the train into third-class
coach with standing room only.
Alongside of us were rough-looking
men smoking and chatteriag IN
French. But We had no complaint
to make for our faces were turned
toward Home, Sweet Home" and We
gladly sat on suitcases or beside our
fellow passengers amid the exceed
ingly dirty surroundings. AS they
got off at the stations along the way
we had more comfortable seats, but
with two nights before US the pros
pect was not bright. However, We
nodded in an upright position and
managed to get some sleep during
the first night. There was a girl and
boy in our party who were sweet
hearts and we heard that they leaned
on each others shoulders without
mummur of complaint.
Our lunches consisted of hard rolls,
a piece of cold beef and hard-boiled
eggs with no water to drink on train.
The second night was test of good
dispositions and trial to the soul.
But with Paris so near we bore up
bravely and rejoiced in our good for
tune on the homeward trip. When
We passed the border between France
and Italy We showed our passports
and were allowed to go on without
any trouble. We presented a sad ap-
pearance on arrival at the hotel at
Paris and hastily found our rooms
and went to sleep in nice comfortable
beds after refreshing baths.
We were in Paris five days. but
as many places of interest were
closed it seemed like deserted city.
Soldiers were constantly marching
through the streets on their way to
battle against the Germans and the
whole atmosphere seemed to partake
of the gloomy conditions. A huge
search-light was turned on over Paris
every night to watch for German
aeroplanes. The Red Cross society
established sewing circles among the
women who made hospital garments
for the wounded. One morning the
ladies OF our party went down to one
of these places and helped sew for
the French soldiers.
A telegram with the news that we
were transferred from Lusitania to
Mauretania steamship and that we
could sail on the 29th of August
brought JOY to the Wicker party.
On the train from Paris to Bou-
logne we saw a poor French woman
who lived in the country having five
sons in the war She said they had
to leave their families and little chill
dren unprotected and their crops in
the field ungathered. Tears were in
her eyes as we extended her our
deepest sympathy with the hope tlat
all would return uninjured. 1t vas
indeed a sad incident OF the many
cruel effects OF war.
At Boulogne where the ship sailed
We had to wait in a great crowd two
hours before we could get aboard.
Each person had to be inspected and
show proper permits and passports.
Our troubles were practically over
when We got to London. But there
as elsewhere preparations for war
were rapidly being made. At the re-
CTulllQS SIdllOuS we Sd" lio uS" ~ -
enlisted soldiers drilling, some still
wearing their citizens clothes. Hun
dreds of soldiers left every day for
France. Trains carried carloads of
cannon aud war supplies. In Frarce
on the memorable journey from Nj
Ian we saw several train-loads of
dead soldiers brought in open box
cars and covered with canvas with
flowers and flags over them. The
wounded were being transported in
fast trains to the hospitals, and We
also saw German prisoners on the
trains along the way.
Every precaution was taken on the
return voyage across the Atlantic to
evade any hostile ship that might be
lurking in the waters. All lights
were put out on the decks and green
flannel cloths tackled over windows
on the inside The smokestacks were
painted black and gray instead Of
the usual red color.