Semi-weekly herald., 1917-08-02
AMERICAN HOUSE-wARAING
ON FRENCH BATTLEFIELD
(By William Philip simms)

NNtAiS anu oSiipSs lioatiuS III the war
zone of France and under it pretty
American girls moving between rows
of hospital tents decorating the land
scape with their smiles.
Today had tea at No. II Base hos
pital. The old unit from Boston was
giving a spread to the new girls, just
arrived. And as Chicago No. II, from
Cook county hospital was in charge
of No. Is General, only half mile
down the road, the girls from Chicago
were there too. Also one British gen.
eral-a Strand any number of col
onels, majors, captains and lieuten.
ants.
Outside, over sea of tents, the
sun was shining. Inside the tents
American girls moved silently to and
fro watching over the wounded, Will.
medical officers wearing the Ameri-
can uniform went from bed to bed.
In the middle of the field of can.
vas stood the marquis under which tea
was being poured. Every nurse. off
duty at the time, was on hand. Some
stood back of the tea table. Others
served at the punch bowl-a beauti
full, claret-colored fruit punch, as
harmless and as free from beguiling
liquors as the spring water Moses
smote from the rock. The rest made
the guests welcome and brought them
cakes and buttered bread and things.
And smiled and laughed and talked
lreal Chicago and Evansville and Bos-
ton talk, their blue uniforms and
white headdress adding to the gener.
al sunshine.
Scraps of conversation mingled
with the rattle of spoons in tacups.
"Cincinnati!' one pretty girl ex-
claimed as she smiled up at Brit
iSh officer belted Sam Brown-wise.
"po you really know Cincinnsti7 Why
was born therel went to Chicago
to take up trained nursing st the
Cook County"
Sure l know CINCINNATI" the of
ficer smiled. 'I'm a Canadian from
the states. 1 was born in Georgia."
Georgia 2" the sister exclaimed.
What part?"
Newman"
"Oh." There was disappointment in
her voice. 81 was hoping it would be
Augusta. know lot of folks down
that way"
"That-a-way! Oh you American
girl"
so you are from Evansville!" an
other officer was saying to anothe,
nurse. "I've been to Evansville"
Honest" said the girl. Didn't you
like it there? l think Evansville is
the prettiest place in the world"
Have an other glass of punch,
suggested pretty sister with a tray
as she stood in front of small
group of American youngsters wear
ing the uniform Of lieutenant.
Don't care if l do" said the crowd
IN chorus. Thanks"
Then somebody said Reminds me
of real old Alabama church sociable
this does"
l turned to see who the speaker
could be. 1t was an army reserve
surgeon, ranking as captain from
Selma.
Nearby two girls were talking.
"Why don't our officers wear Sam
Brown belts like the British 2" one of
them wanted to know. "The English
officers are ever so much more chic
in their uniforms. Our men, with their
standing collars on their tunics look
like privates beside the British. Don't
you think so"
Three of the girls from the Chicago
unit stood about one of the Harvard
girls, in France since a year ago.
They were eyeing her snowy, flowing
headdress enviously.
"oh, why can't we have coiffures
like yours one of theme moaned with
mock tragedy in her voice. "Our lit
tie bits of white muslin with the tiny
red crosses on them look SO common
beside yours. All the society ladies
have adopted your kind. They are be-
coming to everybody"
"Just look at my uniform" sec
ond girl exclaimed. ~ just must send
it to the cleaners to have that spot re-
moved and of course out here in the
country there isn't any cleaner"
"Yes there is" said the pretty girl
addressed, "and it's just down the
road, go down that way (pointing) un,
til you come to the bayonet practice,
turn to the right and go on as far as
the bombing school. Then you will
see the sign right next to the boiling
oil engineers labratory."
"Oh. thank VIM co v,,ucl, ~ so;J 49,