Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-09-13
AMONG THE BELGIAN

not Deen possible IOr DOtn OI us r.
visit the trenches. My husband h,
been taken for hurried trip through,
after much wire pulling, but for the
lady, ''it was absolutely forbidden and
clearly not to be thought of, by far
too dangerous. Arguing the point
made no difference in the vedict, so
we decided to bide our time and take
the case to a higher tribunal, Also we
had desired to see very beloved boy
of our. Peter by name, whom we had
encountered in London several
months before and with whom we had
carried on a constant and most in
teresting correspondence.
Peter, because his section lay near
to DiXmude, being of Regiment that
did not go to La Panne, had been un-
able with the other to visit us there,
and he was most disappointed, as
were we.
Peter deserves volume to himself
and l hope later, will have it. After
meeting us in Londan and receiving
from us Testament he went back to
the trenches, to start among his COM
rades League Of Bible readers. But
not alone content to enlist them in
the reading of Gods Word, he COM
menced to fulfill among them the du-
ties of pastor and teacher, spending
long hours Of the days, and often the
nights, in leading careless and indif-
ferent comrades to a concern for
Heavenly things. He wrote us of
some who had become wonderfully
changed through his ministrations,
and spoke to us of some who had
passed on" but not before they had
found the peace of heart. for which
they had been seeking. A wonderful
work he has done throughout all the
months; this boy, son of Baroness.
his family a noble family, but so
humble and unassuming of spirit, that
he refused even to be sons-officer,
desiring the rather to remain on the
selves just month after our first
that he might the better be of service
and help to them.
So we determined within ourselves
that we would make final attempt
to secure these coveted privileges and
to that end journeyed to La Havre.
the present seat of the Belgian Gov
ernment.
There we met our good friend, NJ.
Vandervelde, and through his per-
sonal representations, we found our
selves. just am onth after our first
visit again enroute to LaPanne with
the necessary authorizations.
Our first day there was taken up
with the presenting for second time
of our letters and credentials and the
second day, the good news was con-
veyed to us; we were both to be TAX
en- to the trenches and we were to see
Peter He had been located in his dis
Perhaps it may seem strange to some.
this love Of ours for these Belgian boys
and our keen anxiety to see them. But
we can only say that our deep affec-
ton for them is only in ree1proca-
ton of theif own love for us, and
what we have given to them, has been
received back a hundred fold.
That second day at La Panne
seemed very long one. Every foot
fall we imagined to be Peters but the
whole day passed and he did not
come. Eight o'clock at night, and yet
no Peter. The next day was the day
Of our visit to the trenches and as
we'll, our last of stay in La Panne,
and we knew we should not have
much time to spend with him. Oh, il
hn ,ryp,,lI fhi. niuht Co ,tro cot
in our little roof, wishing and even
as we expressed to each other in
words the hearts wish, Peters knock
fell upon the door. When we opened
the door and saw him standing there,
our brave, unselfish beautiful Peter,
we did what his own father and moth
er would have done, if his knock
should have fallen upon their door
back in the desolate home in Antwerp
and they had opened it to their only
son; we threw our arms about him
and kissed him through our tears.
Then we sat down to four hours OF
conversation. for had we not twice
that number of months to make us
for? Peter would listen to none of
our entreaties to descent to the din
ing room for proper dinner. "The
time is too precious" he assured us"l
And beside | am not hungry he
added. Not hungry after a six hours
march through mud and rain, with on
ly few little cake, which he had pur
chased enroute, for his sustenanceI
Or course We did not listen to him,
but compromised by having good
dinner sent up to the room, where
between mouthfuls of beef steak and
fried potatoes, he could continue his
conversation with us. How much he
had to tell us Of his noble and wor-
derful work for his comrades and of
the comrades themselves.
Were you surprised, Peter, when
you found we were awaiting you here
at LaPanne?'' asked him, curiously
But / did not know it was you"
came his answer. "AIy Commandant
only told me that order had come for
me to repair to headquarters. and
when l reported there the General sale
to me, "Do you know, Mr.. and Mrs.
Norton?" When l told him, that l did
then he told me that they were at La
Panne and We're waiting to see me-
"Were you pleased, Peter?" I couldn't
resist asking. Peter doesn't wear his
heart on his sleeve, but his glance
was eloquent and spoke more strong
ly than his simple reply in the af1ir.
native. Then he resumed the thread
of his narrative.
'The General told me my permis
sion was only for a day, but I knew
very we'll that I would have no time
at all to spend with you, for already
the day was half gone and it was