davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1917-12-09

further end of the grandstand you
might catch him. But If it's his mother
well, I'd wait"
! passes this advice on to Mrs Bliss
THE ideal" says she. "I wish to see
my noble soldier boy at once Come"
So we went. There was no scarcity
of young fellows in olive drabs. The
place was thick with 'em. Squads were
driliin every way you look ed and out
in the center of the field, where two or
three hundred new ambulances were
lined up. more squads were studyin'
the insides of the motor or practicin'
loadin' in stretchers. Hundreds and
hundreds Of young fellows In uniform,
all lookin' just alike. l didn't wonder
that mother couldn't pick out sonny boy.
''What was 1t that man said? ?'' she asks.
"Wilfred on fatigue. Does that mean he
is restingT
mot exactly" says 1.
About then sister Marion begins to
exhibit jumpy emotions.
Mother! Mother!" says she, starin'
straight ahead. Look"
All could see was greasy old truck
backed up in front OF some low windows
under the Grandstand, with half dozen
young toughs in smeary blue overalls
jugglin' . load Of galvanixed iron cans.
Looked like garbage cans; sneIled that
waX too. And the gang that was han-
Evening star., 1917-12-09

how" says wiifred. I'm goin' to try.
anyway"
And right there. as 1 understand It,
Wilfred Stanton Bliss started to be a
man and a soldier He had a long way
to go. though, it seemed to me-
So here the other day. only a couple
of weeks. since we made our trip, Tn
some surprised to see who IL is giyin'
me the zippy salute on the station
platform out home. Yes. it's Wilfred.
And say, he's got his shoulders squar-
ed, he's carryin' his chin up, and he's
wear in his uniform like It grew on
him.
Well. wellI' says I. Got your fur
Tough. eh?"
Yes, sir" says he "seventy-two
hours. Had a whale of a time, too.
You can't guess who 1 brought home
with me, I'll bet
I couldn't.
Our top ergeant-Quigley." says
he Say. he's all right. He's had US
transferred to the best barracks in
camp. Guess we deserve it, too, for
we're on the way to bein' the cracker
jack section OF them all. You ought to
see us drill Some class, And E's all
due to Quigley. Do you know what
he thinks That we're slated ..mong
the next lot to go over. How about
that, sir? Won D. that be great2-'
Huh" says l. How long go was
ii YOU signed up. Wilfred?"
Just six weeks. SIR" says he.
"Whiffo!" says /, gawpin' at him. IF
we had about a hundred Thousand
Quigleys,
Copyright. 1915. by sewen rcrd.l
Evening star., 1917-12-09

was. They'd stretched out comfortable
on the leather seats and was enjoyin'
a perfectly good smoke until ! shows
up. The minute l appears, though,
they chucks their cigars and jumps up.
heels together. right hand to the hat
brim That's what l get by havin' this
dinky bar on my shoulders.
Can it, boys" says l. This is un-
Official"
AT ease. sir?" suggests one.
"As ease as you know how" says !.
Yes, they says they're ambulancers
on their way back to Allentown. too.
But they didn't happen to know of any
Wilfred Stanton Bliss there.
You see. sir" says one. there are
about five thousand of us, so he
might
Sure" says !. But mother'N want
an affidavit. Would you mind .droppin
In and bein' cross-examined? There s
sister Marion. too"
Obligin' chaps. they were; let me tow
'em into the drawin' room, listened
patient while Mrs Bliss described, just
best to remember havi'n' seen such a
party. Also they gave her their expert
opinion on how long the war was goin'
to last. when Wilfred would be sent
over and what chances he stood of
comm back without a scratch.
Once more 1t Was Marion who threw
the switch ..A
Tell me-" says she, .'will lie be wear.
In uniform just like yours ?".
They said he would.
Oh!' gurgles Marion. Il think it is
perfectly spiffy. Don't you, mother
I'm Just crazy. to see Wilfred in one"
Mother catches the. enthusiasm my
noble boy" says she. rollin' her eyes up
From then on SHE'S quite clipper. The
Evening star., 1917-12-09

at the gates, through a grove Of trees,
and left us at the information bureau.
where a soldier wearin' shell-rimmed
glasses listened patient while mother
and sister both talked at once.
Bliss? Just moment says ne,
reachin' for a card-index box. Yes.
ma'am Wilfred Stanton. He's here.
But where?" demands Mrs. Bliss.
''Why." says the soldier. hes listed
with the casuals just now. Quartered
in the COW barn"
"The-the COW barn. gasps Mrs.
Bliss.
The soldier grins.
IT'S over that way" says he. wavin'
his hand. ANY one will tell you"
They did. We wandered on and on.
past the parade ground that used to be
the trottin' track. past new barracks
that was being knocked together hasty.
until we comes to this dingy white
up to dry around it. l took one glance
inside. where the cots was stacked in
thick and soldiers was loafin around in
various stages of dress and undress,
and then 1 shooed mother and sister
off a ways while l went scoutin' in
alone. At a desk made out of a
packin' box Ifound a chap hammerin'
away at typewriter. He salutes and
goes to attention.
''Yes. sir" says he, when I've told
him who I'm lookn for. .Squeaky
Bliss. But he's on duty Just now. sir"
l suggests that his mother and sis
ter are here and would like to have a
glimpse of him right away.
They'd better wait until after 5.
SIR" says he.
Il wouldn't like to try hoidfn' 'em in
that long" says l.
Very well. sir" says he. "Squeaky's
on fatigue. Somewhere down at the
Evening star., 1917-12-09
inistering Angels at Battle Front in France

apparatus which was not to be had
Miss Gassette worked out an original
device for this and for many other
provided for. Thousands Of her spiints
and apparatus have been ordered Tor
use in the hospitals and she has been
made director of the Franco-Amertcan
corrective surgical appliances commits
tee. For her work the French governs
ment has recently awarded her its high<'
est distinction. the Legion of Honor.
kx
There is unusual opportunity for the
best nursing work abroad. and those
who have taken training in special
lines have an opportunity to use their
experience for the good OF their COM
patriots abroad. The surgeon general
of the Army has asked the Red Cross
to organize specially qualified groups
of nurses who have specialized in or
thopedic nursing. as well as nurses
qualified in hydrothefapeutics and
massage. A group Of nurses has re-
Gently sailed for England, under the
direction of Col. Joel Goldsthwaite. for
a course of special instruction in
orthopedic nursing and corrective
methods to use their training for work
III q IeSohstfuStioH uosPitai III = T14ic0
under the United States government
Goups OF nurses especially trained In
the care of nervous and mental dis
eases are being organized in New York
for service in France. The canton
ments in this country also require
small groups of nurses especially
trained in this branch.
The work of the nurses provided by
the American Red Cross has measured
fully up to the expectations and re-
ouirements of the United States gov.
ernment. The standard set for en-
rollment among those available for
service abroad has been high Nurses
must be between the ages of twenty
five and forty, must be graduates from
a school for nurses connected with q
hospital having an average of fifty
patients daily and giving at least
two-year course in a general hospital
Already there is an enrolment OF
about 5000 nurses. and this number
is increasing at the rate of about LOCO
q month. Yet the nation may need them
Red Cross that girls may bear this
great work of mercy in mind in Sc
lecting a vocation.
'It is of the greatest Importance that
able and educated young women shouid
begin at the bottom in order that they
may ft themselves fully for nursing.
says Miss Delano. while our present
needs are being met the burden Of the
war will increase them rapidly. II Is
highly desirable that the ablest. most
experienced nurses should be released
for service behind the lines. and a con-
stant supply of younger nurses. thor
oughly trained, will allow these older
country without danger to our own
sick"
Evening star., 1917-12-09

dim 'em-well. most of 'em had had
their heads shaved, and in that rig they
certainly did look like a bunch from
Sing Sing.
I was just nudgin' sister to move
along. when Mrs. Bliss lets out this
choky cry:
"Wil-fred" says she.
She hadn't made any mistake. either.
1t was sonny, all right. And you should
have seen his face as he swings around
and finds who's watchin' him. II 1t
hadn't been for the bunkie who was
on to the tail of the truck there'd been
a fine spill. too
MY boy! Wilfred" calls Mrs. STAN
ton Bliss. holdin' out her arms fnvitin'
and dramatic.
Now. in the first place, Wilfred was
in no shape to be the party Of the sec
ond part in a motherly clinch act. It's
he's peeled down for 1t. He was cos
tuned In a pair of overalls that could
have been stood in the corner all by
themselves, and an army undershirt
with one sleeve half ripped Off.
In the second place, all the rest OF
the squad was wearin' broad grins.
and he knew 1t. So he don't rush over
the front of the truck and salutes q
husky. frecked-necked young sergeant
who's sittin' behind the steerin' wheel.
Family, SIR" says Wilfred. What
what'n do?"
The sergeant takes one look over his
shoulder.
"oh. WELL" says he. drop out until
next load"
Not until Wiifred led US around the
corner does he express his feelin's.
For the love of Mike. mother" says
he. Wasn't it bad enough without
Evening star., 1917-12-09
T THE TURN WITH WILFRED----T

HAS he. indeed"' says she. *We will
see about that, then"
But you must handle him easy.
mother" warns Wilfred.
THAT person" snorts mother. Il
shall, have nothing to do with him
this, wilfred. I am going straight to
the general"
~Now, mother!" protests Wilfred.
Don't make a scene"
When she was properly stirred up,
though, that was mothers long SUIT AND
she starts right In. Course. tried to
head her of but it's no use. As there
satisfied with a major. Seemed like a
mighty busy major. too; but when he
hears his orderly tryin' to shunt the
ladies' ne gives the signal to let 'em in.
You can bet didn't follow. Didn't have
to, for Mrs. Bliss wasn't doin' any whis-
And she sure made 1t plain to the ma
jor how little she thought Of the United
States Army, and specially that part OF it
located at Allentown, Pa. Havin' got
that of her chest. and been listened to
patient. she demands that Wilfred be ex-
cused from all his disgustin duties. and
be allowed to go home with her at once
and for good.
The major shakes his head. I'm
possible"' says he.
Then" says Mrs. Stanton Bliss.
tossin' her head. II shall appeal to the
Secretary of War-te the President, if
necessary"
The major smiles weary. You'd best
talk to his sergeant" says he. IF he
recommends your sons discharge it
may go through.
THAT person. exclaims Mrs. Bliss.
Never! IL might talk to his cap
tain" 2AAkE
Evening star., 1917-12-09

fcorps of 1000 American Red Cross
nurses who have recently gone to
France with their brothers in arms are
doing their noblest to give the mon
that chance. End through them the twin
opposites. science and kindness. are
performing their great part In the
struggle for right. The American ,wom-
en- have already made good. and are 2
when a mans afraid q beautiful
maids a cheering sight to see," says
dier e I,a has gone gone throasn the storm and
stress Of tie period in the trenches. had
a bit of his arm shot away or his leg
badly punctured. and he has passed
through the successive stages of al
deviation afforded by clearing station.
field hospital. and finally finds himself
thoroughly patched and tended ana ly-
ing in real bed in the base hospital.
the gray-gowned. white-capped Ameri-
can nurse by his side must appear to
him as very beautiful
=
And to their credit be it said by those
who have been at the front that the
American nurse, in her tasteful and
serviceable habiliaments. Is quite the
smartest in appearance. among the
thousands and thousands of noble wom-
en- who have gone to fight disease and
hurt and death itself "over there"
1t is to the credit Of Miss Jane A.
Delano, chairman of the national COM
mittee of Red Cross nursing service,
that this is as 1t is, because she and
her collaborators- in this department
bestowed much time, thought and cons
sideration in evolving practical, fit
ting and becoming outfit of uniforms
for the nurses who were to go abroad,
as well as for the Red Cross nurses
who are to stay at home. 1t Is the sill
yer gray Japanese crepe nursing uni
FORM with soft white cuffs and collars
and cap bearing the insignia of the
order of mercy that will become most
familiar to the wounded Americans be-
cause that Is the hospital uniform Of
the Red Cross nurse who has Joined
the Army. Navy or Marine Corps hos
pital service.
Why not the white or the blue OF
our home hospitals, has been asked.
The white uniform is to be used by the
nurses in the service of the military
establishments at home, but not abroad
The gray crepe was chosen with pur-
pose and the choice has been justified
by results. 1t was realized at Red
Cross headquarters that the lines OF
battle would not be chosen with a view
to their convenience in the matter of
creature comforts. and the base hos
pitals in which the Army nurses serve
have been placed according to their
greatest range Of usefulness, rather
than that of extraneous personal ac-
commodations. 1t has been found. there
Evening star., 1917-12-09

idea OF hndin' sonny made over into q
smart. dashin' soldier seemed to crowd
out all the panicky thoughts she'd been
havin'. From little hints she let drop
l judged that she was already picturin'
him as a gallant hero. struttin' around
naughty and givin' Off stern commands
Maybe he'd been made a captain or
something. Surely they would soon see
that her Wilfred ought to be an officer
Of some kind.
"And we must have his portrait
painted" she remarks, claspin' her
hands excited, as the happy thought
strikes her.
The boys looked steady out of the
window and managed to smother the
smiles. I imagine they'd seen all sorts
OF mothers come to camp.
It's a lively little burg, Allentown.
even II II didn't know Il was on the
map before. At the station you take a
trolley that runs straight through
town and out to the fair grounds, where
the camp is located. Coin up the hill
you pass through the square and by
the Soldiers monument. Say, it's some
monument. too. Then out q long street
lined with nice. comfortable-lookin'
homes until you get . glimpse Of blue
hills roilin' away as Tar as you can see.
and there you are,
xhs boys pilotsd " past the guard
Evening star., 1917-12-09

your springin' that 'muh boy stuff?
Right before all the fellows. too.
Good night"
But. Wilfred," insists mother. what
does this mean? Why do ] fnd you
well, like this. Oh. it's too dreadful for
words. Who has done this to you-and
why?"
Jerky. little by little, Wilfred
sketches out the answer. Army life
wasn't what he'd expected. Not at all.
He was sore on the whole business.
He'd been let in for it. that was all. 1t
wasn't SO bad for some Of the fellows,
but they'd been lucky. As for him
well. he'd come here to learn to be an
ambulance driver. and he had spent
his first week in the kitchen. peelin'
potatoes. Then. when they'd let him
off that. and given him his first pass
to go to town, Just because he'd been
little late comm back, they'd jumped
on him somethin' fierce, They'd showed
him on this garbage detail. He'd been
on 1t ever since.
ITS that mucker Of a top sergeant,
Quigley." says Wilfred. .He's got It
in for me"
Mrs. Stanton Bliss straightens out
her chin dimple - she glarss altar
the Enrbags truck, which n follin'
awax IN the distance. s
Evening star., 1917-12-09

useless. madam" says the major.
See his sergeant; he's the one"
And he signifies polite that the inter-
view is over.
When mother tells sonny the result
of the visit to headquarters. he shrugs
his shoulders.
II knew it would be that way" says
he They've got me. and I've got to
stand for it. No use askin' Qufgley.
You might as well go home"
But at least you can get away long
enough to have dinner with us" says
mother.
Nothing doin'." says Wilfred. Cant
get out unless ouisley signs a pass,
and he won't
"oh. Gomez says 1. He don't look SO
bad as all that. Let nae see what can
do with him."
Well, after I'd chased the ladies back
to the hotel with instructions to wait
hopeful. hunts up Top Sergt. Quigley.
Had quite revealin' chat with him,
too. Come to look at him close after
he'd washed up, he's rather decent ap-
pearfn'. Face seems sort Of familiar,
"Didn't you play nrst base for the
Fordhams?' r asks,
ioh, that was back In '1l,s saya he.
.As remsmber, says ], Ssyou was
noznesntar on the bag, though. Now.
Evening star., 1917-12-09


he1S Inc Frsaes sas wss sss' Of sn.
thousand American women who
have gone over seas with the expedi-
tionary forces to care for their broth
ers in arms and also for the children of
devastated France?
All honor to the Red Cross nursing
service of America. the girls are being
looked after, albeit one hears a good
deal less of the how and the why of
their care. But Miss Jane A. Delano,
chairman of the national committee of
the American Red Cross nursing service,
>has not given up eight years of her
life to preparing a splendid corps of
war nurses to be ready for the nations
need without looking after the girls
who are enduring the rigors of life and
service in the field hospitals near the
firing lines. in the base hospitals far
ther back, in the supply stations, con-
valescent camps, canteens and other
depots of mercy for the fighting men.
Neither has the welfare been neglected
nurses who have gone to France to help
to rehabilitate the child life of that
stricken land.
Soon after the sailing of the first as
signment of Red Cross nurses with the
overseas troops, Miss Delano picked
out the best available woman from
among those she knew as having ex-
perience in hospital work and thor
ough training in social welfare ac-
tivity, and placed her in charge of the
Red Cross nurses abroad. This woman
is Miss Martha Montague Russell, and
she has recently been appointed the
representative of the American Red
Cross nursing service in France solely
through merit and fitness for her task.
Miss Russell is a Massachusetts, wom-
an, graduate of Mount Holyoke Col
lege and of the New York Training
School for Nurses She has done set
tlement and public health work in con-
nection with the Henry street settle
ment In New York, and she has had
wide executive experience with various
hospitals In New York and Louisville,
KY. She was superintendent Of Sloan
Hospital, New York, for twelve years.
and relinquished that post to accept the
c9il Tor service IN France.
Mss Russelrs duties are varied. She
has. first and foremost. the welfare Of
the Red Cross nurse at heart. She Is
there as the representative of the
American Red Cross Nursing Service
to see that the. women who have gone
abroad have hll the comforts and
necessities that should be theirs by
right OF their high calling and hard
work. As one instance of this phase
OF her work. she made note upon her
arrival In Europe that the American
girl lovers Of the lingerie OF . climate
OF clear atmosphere and blue ekies
would reuuire waxuneri clothing for the
Evening star., 1917-12-09

makeup Il s-the sdmiration Of all who
de rigsur in the Army service at home.
have been taken along for high oc-
castons and for possible summer use,
but for the present they are snugiy
70 await SUMMER skies and better iaun-
That this corps Of white-aproned
American nurses are performing splen-
hind them, as well as for the land to
which they have gone. is evidenced
every day and everywhere that there
is suffering from battle. Few OF them
forts Of home and they are spending
month after month in tents, in huts.
some in old chateaus. In farm houses
and casinos nsa., which nave ave oeen recon
bear full evidence that there is only
enthusiasm over the work. that they are
as cheerful as the boys they have gone
to sustain and that their physical con-
dition is excellent.
81 her own surroundings ono nurse
wrote:
Our conditions are bit primitive.
but we are far more comfortable' than
had any idea we should be- We are
housed in long huts. divided into GU
bicles. Partitions Of canvas or OF thin
Our heat IL furnished by small stoves.
and truth ,compe1s me to admit that tho
water and bathing supplies are meager,
to say the least. But this is a wonder
full place, and /. for one. am happy. and
proud Of the fact that the Red Cross
gave US the chance to come over and
have hand In the big things that are
being done"
another nurse writes:
--"Welar quite settled here. The capnp
. is pleasantly situated on the mild slope
at the foot of some big hills. We are
they not only furnish US with some in
teresting and healthful walks, but are
always a source Of pleasure when we
look their way. Our quarters are wood
en- shacks of six rooms each. with two
in each room. We have furnished them
ourselves, except for the cots. with
mattress and blankets, small piece
Of carpet and locker in each room.
The hospital is mostly in tents, con-
nected and giving space for about fifty
beds to each ward. Each ward has a
walk all around 1t. and usually flowers
in front It makes little city of tents.
The equipment here is better than most
ing with the sick and wounded SOL
diers. They are ideal patients in most
ways. are very well disciplined and
whatever sister says and wishes is
law to them"
The stories Of the bravery, ingenuity
and ability of the American women who
went abroad in the early days before
war give foretaste Of what account
the new military nurses will make of
themselves
There is the story Of Miss Grace
Gassette OF Chicago, who, few years
ago, was known only as painter of
good portraits. She Joined the Ameri-
can Ambulance in the early days of
Evening star., 1917-12-09

fore, quite as often as not that the
Army hospital nurse In France is forced
to wash her crinkly crepe gray nurs-
ing gown in her Individual wash basin
: and put 1t on fresh from the water.
but without the stinening Of starch or
the same practical intent that the white
apron was cut square and seamless and
many time and oft 1t Is rendered
spotless In the over-worked hand basin
and with a little judicious smoothing
is made to present a sweet freshness
to war-wearied eyes.
The why of the gray crepe gown and
the wherefore Of its hand and home
laundering is mainly due to conditions
prevailing in rural France. In some
parts Of the country whore the men
are fighting. domestic ways and means
are Of the most primitive. The laundry
is the small stream running through
the heart of the village. the washboard
is composed of a couple Of huge stones
frail fabrics; the price of soap is ex-
orbitant in Europe and starch has be-
come almost an unknown, quantity In
rural Frarce!-
While the nurses work long and nara
In the battle front hospitals, rest Is
mandatory, and when they go of duty
1t fs in the most dainty and becoming.
withal practical, outdoor uniforms OF
army blue that the nurses IN mlh,ary
service take the, long walks they love
for exercise or make their journeys
thither and yon throughout the coun-
try. -
When the Red Cross nurse is mus
tered into, the service of Army. Navy
or Marine Corps the Red Cross brassard
is removed from the gray sleeve OF
the hospital uniform and the dark blue
cape gives up it's insignia of mercy.
This remains alone on the cap and the
insignia of the Army or Navy usually
fastens the white collar. Regulations
demand that she shall wear the official
badge of her office, and the bronze ~.
S." is affixed beside that Of the arm
Of the service to which she belongs.
The double breasted navy blue serge
waist which the Red Cross chose to
be worn with the plain skirt as the
outdoor uniform for Its nursing serv-
ice has been replaced by official order
with Norfolk jacket. The simple ana
becoming little waist, with its double
row of buttons still remains In use in
other than military Red Cross nursing
service at home and abroad. with this
outdoor dress of dark blue Is worn
either the comfortable many-pocketeo
ulster or the long, scarlet-l1ned cape
so dear to the Army. or both. II weather
requires them. The plain mannish feit
hat and stout boots complete the uni
form, which is blue. worn. with the
style and grace which only the "Ameri-
caine" can impart.
The American women were not long
in France before they found that drip
ping skies and muddy roads were a
frequent order, making even greater