The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1917-11-08
An Ambulance
Driver
Copyright. 1917. western Newspaper Union.)
ByF. A. MITCHELL


Jimmie Throckmorton, when the |
worlds war broke out, was inspired |
by patriotism to be in it. The United |
States did not at first show any dis |
position to enter the fray, so Jimmie |
could not enlist in a fighting regiment.
But he could drive an ambulance, and
Americans who went over to assist |
the western allies usually Joined an
ambulance corps. This was the best
Jimmie could do to make a soldier of |
himself without fighting under for
eign flag.
Well, Jimmie sailed for France and
in due time found himself at the front
The only comfort he anticipated from
driving an ambulance instead of fight
ing in the trenches was that he would
be in less danger. But, when he en-
tered upon his duties he found that
in war there is danger for every one.
One day while driving a load Of
wounded shell burst near his am
bu}ance and took away his right foot
and ankle. When he recovered from
his wound he was discharged and re-
turned to his home in the United
States.
Now Jimmie was entitled to the en-
comiums due heroism< just as much as
any other hero. He had decoration,
and he walked on a cork foot and
ankle.
All heroes in war do not receive the
same treatment, circumstances having
a great deal to do with the matter.
public memory. OF the heroes of the
war between the States only a few of
the central figures are pow household
words. On the northern side, the
| names Of Grant, Sherman and Sheri-
dan are about all that are generally
known. There never was a hero of
that or any other war who died Of
| disease. A man must be killed in bat
| tie to be dead hero.
Jimmie Throckmorton was conf
dent on returning to his home that he
would be appreciated for the work he
| had done. He had gone to the war
finn large city, and absence from a
l
Jimmie was walking along a crowded
| street in citizens dress after his re-
| turn. He wore an Overcoat that COW
cred his decoration button and 1aa enc
would have noticed that the leather
over his right foot covered cork in
stead of flesh and blood. He ntet a
friend and they stopped for = sat*ef
| chat.
''Hello, Jim," said the friend. ''Do
you expect to be drafted?'
'They wouldn't take me; I've got a
cork foot"
''What are you giving me?"
"True. I've been to the war and
had my foot shot off,
Jimmie had much trouble in con-
vincing his friend Of the truth of his
statement. The man didn't know that
Jim had been out Of the city. Jim
was working up some interest in him.
| self as a soldier when he mentioned
the fact that he had been an ambu.
lance driver.
"Oh" said his friend, II thought
you were a soldier" and passed on
with $50 long. Anyway, you've es'
capped the draft
Jimmie moved away, cOgniZant for
the first time Of the fact that the man
who does his duty to his country
should not look for a reward in the
plaudits of those he fights for.
He received other reminders of this
fact. One person, noticing his decora
ton button, asked him if it was the
badge of the Sons of the Revolution
Another asked if it was the badge OF
a Confederate Camp. Finally Jim
told inquirers that his grandfather
had been pirate md the badge was
given his progenitor for long service
under the skull and bones flag.
But all this was bagatelle to wha
happened to Jimmie when he fell il
love. He had suffered so acutely fo1
having driven wounded men from tn
battlefield, both in the loss of limb ant
from q want Of appreciation: that h
never mentioned his military servic.
to his enamorita. She asked him VIII.
he didn't 60 to the war, and instead O.
telling her that he had been there, h
said he had enlisted, but had beer
fred from the army because he wa
lame.
Jimmie got engaged in the sprin>
and in the early summer followed hi
fiance to Lake Of course
theredwas plenty of boating. Jimmie'
girl was very fond of padding. Moth
ing would do but they must go canoe
ing. The girl was a good swimmer
but Jim couldn't swim at all. II
changing places they upset the canoe
The girl struck out beautifully, blu
on looking about for her lover say
: only one foot floating on the surface
She swan for it and righted it's owner
The cork was SO much lighter thai
any part of his body that it stayed VI
while the rest Of him went down
Holding his head above water, sh
: supported him to the landing, whicl
was close at hand.
This was the crown of ignOminy TO