Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-26
LAST KISS FOR SIGHTLESS MOTHER
AS BOY RECRUIT ENTRAINS FOR CAMP
Father Blind, Too Says "If Loved Him Less Would
Have Refused to Let Him Go"-"Keep on
Waving Good-by," Little Sister Cries

The woman's hair was snowy white and
she clung tremblingly to the gaunt man
who patted her hand Beside them was n
youth of 1S, who tried hard not to show
the emotion he felt. and a little girl who
cried openly. Few of the hundreds who
gathered today in the West Philadelphia
station to bid farewell to the recruits
entraning for Mount Gretna observed the
little group.
There was something curious in the man
ncl IN which the woman softly stroked the
boys face. something strange in the way
the man let his hand caress the shoulder
of the young recruit, But no one paid
attention.
The train stopped. Young men, eager
and alert. sprang lightly up the steps and
found seats Men and women and children
pressed forward for a parting handcasp
from the car window. The mans hand had
found that of the boy; the woman was
smoothing his hair. The youth kissed both
the man and the woman and the little girl
who was crying as If her heart were break
ing. He went into the car and found n seat
by an open window.
The man and the woman seemed to find
it difficult to reach the window from which
the boy leaned with both hands extended.
The little girl tugged at their hands The
boy was calling. Finaly they reached him,
The other spectators near the scene knew
from the ciasped hands and the endearing
words that the boy was parting from his
father and mother and sister They learned,
also, that he was the only son. They sensed
in a vague way that there was more of
tragedy in the parting than they could pos
s!bly know There was an expression in the
boys eyes that told this as he permitted
them to stroke his hands,
The shrill pipe of the air whistle an
nounced the moment for parting. Men and
women clambored forward for a last greet
ing. Handkerchiefs huttered from the end
of the platform. Women were softly weep
ing. Everywhere there were noise and
confusion, except at one point.
The boy leaned far from the window and
pressed n kiss on the brow of his mother.
He was biting his lip to keep back the tears.
His father pressed his hand His mother
clung to the other. Slowly the train be-
gan to glide away Gently but remorse-
lessly il drew the boys hands out of the
hands, of his mother and father, They
stood quietly, the mother crying, the father
patting her hand
a handkerchief huttered from the train
window,
'He is waving at us" said the girl.
The mother looked toward the departing
train and waved a very wet little handker-
chief The father waved his hand, man
fashion. The girl had flag
Gradually gathering momentum the train
was moving away. The hutterng speck of
white still waved from the window The
fathers hand dropped to the shoulder of
the mother. The mothers handkerchief
was pressed against her face. Only the girl
knew,
wave oh, wave again" she cried, hes
still waving at u.s."
And then the spectators knew.
The father and mother were both blind.
Last night Peter Darlington and his wife, |
Elizabeth. talked over the question of the |
enlistment of their son George. at the little |
home at 1884 Melon street The boy is only |
1S He wanted 10 go. He felt that he was |
needed But he could not leave his parents |
He had been nember of the Boy Scouts |
and when the call was made for volunteers /
ne told his parents of his desire to join the
colers
a REAL SACRIFICE.
This morning they accompanied their son
10 the 9Th Regiment Armory, 4lst street and
AIantua avenue Captain Roe held their