Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1917-11-09
A SOLDIER IN FRANCE
BE PROUD OF HIN
Who Answered President Wilson's
Call
FINE AND MANLY SPECIMEN
Show Honor And Respect TO Dead
Soldier OF France.

A dozen soldier boys just landed
from America sat in front of one of
The cafes in Paris not far from their
own quarters. These bright-faced.
square -jawed. straight-limbed young
men from the farms and village of
the Middle West, had, almost in ad-
vance of any signal, answered Presi-
dent wilson's call for men and were
among the first wearing the uniform
of the United States to land in France
Their welcome, as they stepped on to
French soil. their welcome from the
owns and cities through which they
passed and the wonderful cheers and
aand-clapping. which the generous
mothers and daughters and little chill
dren and old men in Paris had given
them that morning had had SOLDERING
effect on these gay young men. They
had been taught much in few hours.
and war and those who must be left
behind when me are need 10 fight. be-
came more real thar their fresh, light
hearted minds had thus far grasped.
After the march through the Paris
streets, they had been allowed little
ural and genuine adaptability, which
is always so delightful, these new
comers made themselves at once 'at
home" in various parts OF that beauti-
full city Of this number our dozen
young men had sought the hospitality
and cool protection OF this cafe-when
The attention of one of the group was
directed to what was to him an un-
usual sight. There, being slowly
pulled up the street by one forlorn,
poor horse, came a shabby weather
worn hearse followed by but one
mourner-a poor tired old woman,
who showed in every line of her face
and in her manner an awful sorrow
q loss of hope-utter despair. The
Americans eyes and his entire ex-
preston proved his fine, manly feel
ing of sympathy and the smile of
moment before disappeared, when
suddenly he stood up and pointing to
the hearse he cried to his mates, Eel
lows, do you see that? DO you see
that hearse2 DO you see the uniform
they have wrapped around the coffin?
IT'S French soldier, boys! Let us
do him honor Fall in"
without word Of question every
man took his place in line behind the
poverty-strieken little woman, and the
example, so impulsively but naturally
set, was followed by other loiterers
near the cafe, and before they had
passed the next street the line had
grown TO a hundred, and when the
cemetery gates were reached a thou
Sand sober, respectful people had
joined these young American soldiers
The poor little woman saw all this
with wonder and with pride. That
her soldier son, to whom she had said
a long and last goodbye, should re-
ceive this honor, was almost more
than she could bear, and after the
brief service at the grave, she turned
10 the fresh-faced young leader and
with tears streaming down her
CHEEKS BEdSDeu MS udnub anu hASoOu
it, Then turning again to the newly
made grave she crossed herself de-
voutly and then slowly. with bowed
head, walked past the silent as
sembuage.
Once more the young man in uni
form stepped cut from the line and
reyerently lifting his cap said in a
low voice, Nov, fellows all together
Hip. Hip, Hooray!" and so holy and
so full of sincerity and true respect
was the message Of hope and good
will called out TO the sad little
mourner, that those in the procession
who were French. found themselves
joining in the last glorious cheer with
their own "Hourra," all given with a
loyal feeling OF "Godspeed little
woman" And as she walked on, in
spite Of her tears and sadness, her
heart was full 70 great thankfulness
and of honest pride, that her beloved
son-a soldier of France-had receiv-
ed the honor, which the sacrifice Of
his life for his country had made his
due.-H. G. S. in 1.-THE Christian