The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-03-20

streets were black and slippery.
Rain everywhere At Ptccadilly Clr-
Gus the traffic was enormous TaNis
BY the hundred skidded and hooted
round the little islands where the
tirnid hesitated, afraid to cross. News
bows rafnsoaked, were shouting cheer
fully. Two more British liners sunk!
was their refrain. Yes, trade was orlsk
today.
At the pavement's edge stood young
officer, tall and stalwarL The suck ne
leaned on seemed superfuOus- A strange
hesitation was in his face. And when he
spoke. his words were startling, Bill
old boy. d'yOu think these new expensive
legs OF mine will carry me across he
said.
IF they go back on you. return them
for another pair" was the solemn an
swer AT sixty pounds they should be
reliable
Across the street the damaged warrior
limped, wearing his artificial limbs with
the same nOnchalance as a new suit
and laughter on his lips. There isn't
much Of me left that's vulnerable he
was saying. so I'm not afraid Of being
run over-except that my new ankles are
a perfect shape and might not be able
to get the pattern a second time
Khakf-clad men were everywhere.
Women in all varieties Of uniform
splashed valiantly through the rain.
Female railroad porters, ticket collectors,
bus conductors, V. A. D. workers, eIe-
vstOr girls, commissionaires. army
nurses. army surgeOns-and all compe-
tent, alert!
Into the traffic vortex swept a hand
some car. and in it sat none other than
famous Lloyd George, minister OF NUM-
tons. Wonder Of wonders, The pretty
uniformed ChauffeUse who handled the
wheel 50 dsNterOusly was Caroline Marsh,
erstwhile militant suffragette, window
smasheT and hunger striker. who, l I'M
derstand, during her imprisonment in the
militant suffrage days, was forCibly fed
for about four months! A lovely girl,
with golden locks and exquisite blue
eyes.
Still. as some one pithily observed. It
was rather plucky Of a cabinet minister
to be driven about by maiden with such
a record! In the old days she certainly
would have driven him-also herself, for
the ''militants'' gIoried in smashes-into
a brick wall as a protest against her
wrongs. However, these are indeed
changed times.
lady in mannish oilskins and yet
more mannish stride had entered a new
branch OF wOman's war work. I'm a
rent collector" she observed blithely,
while the rain dripped down on her pleas
ant, smiling face, and I can assure you
that these pavements are no more slip
perry than my tenants I spend days try
ing TO catch them! At my approach, they
sneak into the back yard. or the coal
cellar, and little Tommie informs me that
mothers not at home today But,
since it's mans job, this rent collecting,
I'm gradually learning to assume a mans
hard-heartedness, and am succeeding
BETTER"
The girl interpreter in the smart
uniformity name Dorothy Matthews.
graduate Of Girton college, Cambridge
who is stationed IN the centre Of
PicCadilly Circus beside the enormous
policeman, was beseiged by helpless
foreigners. PLEASE tell me where I
can have my teeth extracted without
payment a Belgian soldier implored
her. Il wish to be shayed-can you
help me-" murmUred a liquid italian
voice. Into her long-suTering ears a
Flemish lady was bewailing her lost
canary and demanding instantaneous
help, while strange sounds emanated
from a party Of long bearded men
who were obviously in need Of the
gifted young wOman's assistance.
They're talking esperanto" said Miss
Matthews Cheerfully. NO, I'm not very
busy-pIease ask any questions you
like"
More helpless foreigners and more
assistance rendered. Such a babble of
strange tongues, Yes. I speak six
languages and am studying two more"
continued the girl Every conceiv-
able question in every conceivable
language is hurled at my head. But
enjoy the work immensely"
Such odd figures ConEregated there
by the fountain. Arrayed in their brill
liant Paisley shawIs and vivid petit
oats sat the cOckney flower sellers,
calling their wares in a cracked cres-
cendo that penetrated the roar of the
traffic. Roses. lovely roses. only a
penny for two OF necessity, Cupid
i'm KHAKI must pause and make a pur-
chase for his best girl Damp, isn't
it," he observed CheeriIy as he paid
his penny. But no fear OF Zeppelin
raid tonight, Every cloud, however
moist, has a silver lining"
Gallant boys, these fighters of Kitch-
-ner's army, From taiIor's bench and
loom, coal pit and lathe they have
crowded. Before the war. their view
IT life was narrow. Football and the
evening paper. with mild evenings at
the movies, or a street car ride, con-
stituted their conception of hiIarfty.
Now they have faced death and de-
struction. taken immense burdens on
their shoulders, been tried and proved
they are men.
NO room lOI lu' Stacker To-Day, ana
vast discomfort he must feel! True,
the girls no longer offer him white
Gathers on the street nor is he jeered
1t publicly. But the great recruiting
notices stare at him everywhere. 1T
. more blessed to go than TO be
pushed he reads at every turn.
Remember the Lusitania and Enlist
Today flares above a vivid picture
Of the tOrpedoed liner. with dead bodies
u babies and women floating in the
sea.