Semi-weekly herald., 1915-03-04

many and she says the reports that
women are taking mems places in
nearly all walks of life are not true.
AS matter of fact there are not
as many as are found among the
wage-earning class of America be-
cause there is a sufficient number
of men too old for military duty in
condition to carry on the business life.~-
When spring comes the usual 1umber
will take their places in the fields.
But women in all classes are doing
all in their power to alleviate the suf-
fering of the soldiers Trainload af-
ter trainload of wounded are brought
home and nursed back to health.
Wounded Hasten Back
To Duty.
The period of recuperation for the
wounded is very brief. Just as soon
as they can possibly do so, the gov
ernment demands they be sent back
to the battle lines, but long before
they are able to do so the men are
willing and anxious to go. Many have
been wounded two and three times
and taken home for treatment, but
just as soon as they can be of service
in the field they hasten back to duty
Ito fight against England, as they
are wont to say, as it is against that
country the most bitter hatred is felt.
Conserving the Food
Supply.
The people realize the danger of
hunger being made a successful ally
of their enemies and the government
has taken charge of the entire food
supply. In days of peace and plenty,
Germans lead frugal life that pre-
sents a wonderful contrast to Ain
erican extravaganza. Now tnem econ
omy has reached stage that has
never been equaled in the past
Wheat is scarce and rye quite plen-
tiful, hence the government order
that people of all classes shall use
black bread only. Cakes are among
the things forbidden all classes. The
prices of foodstuffs have scared, but
are not as high as one might expect.
Eggs are 4S cents dozen, lard 30
cents a pound and number of other
articles of diet about the same rate.
But meat has not kept apaee with
other things, in fact, is quite reason
able
The Journey Home.
Mrs. Gilbert felt she could do lit
tie to help the suffering ones. Home
duties called her and she would have
responded long ago if she had been
able to make the trip with any de-
gree of safety. 1t happened, how
ever, she selected the most danger
GUS time for her journey, just after
the war zone had been outlined, but
just before the order was enforced.
On February IL she made the trip
across Holland to Rotterdam. The
Holland army, long since modified,
were in training in sight of the train
Words caught here and there indicat-
ed that Italy would soon join the con-
flict. Everywhere talk was of war
and its horrors, just as it had been
in Germany
On board the Rotterdam, of the
Holland and American line, they start
ed on their journey across the waters
at midnight, February 10. They had
the greatest fear they might strike
mine or some misfortune might
overtake them. Warships of all ma
tions were anchored along their
pathway. The Postdam, of the same
line as the Rotterdam, conveyed the
ship over So slow was their prog
ress that two days elapsed before
they were out of the English channel.
Once in mid-ocean they travelled fast
er, or would have done so had it not
been for the terrible storm that last
ed for five days and nights and made
the trip hard one for the three hun
dred passengers on board Aside from
this it was without incident.
They reached New York, February %
when the land of their adoption was
celebrating the birthday anniversary
! of the father of their country"
But by ancestory and early asso-
citation, Mrs. Olbert's life is rooted to
the old home in Germany and every
sorrow of her friends and relatives
caused by the terrible war is to her
personal sorrow, and one that will
cast shadow over her life and their
long years after the struggle is at
an end.
nErInr, vn,r,,-,