New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-01
ROTECTING THE FAMILIES OF OUR NATIONS PROTECTORS

her husband had worked so hard and into
which ne had put all his savings.
But The Militia Of Mercy was equal to the
occasion and humbly asked the privilege Of
looking after the payments till the war was
over and Mr. Thompson returned to take up
the burden again.
Mrs. Thompson agreed to this. on condition
that it should be considered lean. "as charity
is somethng"-but she got no further. Mrs.
Campbell had received her cue and she re-
peated her speech, with the result that we left
the Thompson home in a shower Of thanks and
gratitude, with every curl paper quivering with
emotion.
There were two women and a brand sew
baby in tho Dobson family. all depe,dent on
one young chap who had gone 70 10 his duty.
We first visited the OLD .rother, with whom
the son and his wife haG lived and who was
left to look after he,sef after he went away,
as the daughter-in-law had gene home to her
own mother The poor old soul had been TAX
ing in washing to support herself and was
worried 70 death about her insurance and her
rent, both of which we promised to pay
Then we went 70 see the daughter IL was
dreadful howell in which we found the younger
Mrs Dobson But she was nice little thing,
this young mother,-not over sixteen and as
sweet and clean as a daisy. with such duck
of a baby just four weeks old
And you should have seen her face when
she opened the box Of baby clothes which w.
laid on the bedl
A real mother was little Mrs Dobson, for
she laid her face down in the box and cried her
heart out. She had had no clothes for the
baby. It was wrapped in an old flannel sacque
and here was everything OF which she had
dreamed. II was too good 20 be true,
Four dollars a week is all that young Dobson
can send 10 her and little Bill,-and milk is so
expensive, But she did not complain. In fact
it was with difficulty that Mrs. Campbell got
her to consent to accept a daily quart Of milk.
She absolutely refused TO take money or other
supplies. She was scantiy clothed in old
flannel jacket and skirt, with worn sneakers on
her feet, but she smilingly denied that she
needed anything better.
"These1l do till he comes home" she said
"The war won't last long; he told me So"
She has received by this time, however,
box of clothes, the prettiest and freshest in the
whole collection at headquarters Let US hope
that she will accept them IN the loving spirit in
which they were sent.
THE SPIRIT OF Ts-AND III
The last family on the list was the Donald
sons-Mrs. Donaldson and four beautiful little
girls Mr.. Donaldson is a lawyer whose in
come was from $50 10 S75 a week Like the
Thompsons they had been putting all their saw
ings into house, so the family had nothing 70
live on except the $35 a month which he re-
ceves in the navy.
Lawrence suggested getting his discharge"
said Mrs. Donaldson, "but | wouldn't have il.
He must do his duty. We shall manage some
how"
Needless 10 say her needs we're supplied;
clothing was given her for the children and
another "war loan" made, so that the
house should not be lost
morning like this brings the war very
close; it makes one realize little Of the hard
ships and sacrifices which it entails Il also
makes one realize how splenddy our women
are coming up 70 meet the new conditions; not
in the spirit Of charity workers, but as mem
hers Of one great human family.
So when next you hear the stirring strains
Of "The Spirit Of rs" buy a copy. It's only 10
cents and it will help % protect a family
whose breadwinner has gone to protect you"