The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1917-07-27

Ing 70 u&nt Iof IL IN war ana WORK Tor 1t
IN peace, that of ''good CITIZEN"
THE UNNUMBERED MILLIONS.
We have ssid in another editorial this
week that ten million men stood at "At-
tention" as soldiers last Friday while
their call was being made at Washing
ton.
1t was grand sight and meant much
for the nation to see these mel rank up
on rank. file upon file, standing, waiting
patiently for the drawing of the num-
bers that might mean even life or death
to some OF them.
But there were other millions, un-
numbered, who could not be soldiers;
old men, younger boys. children, moth.
ers, sisters, sweethearts, wives, and they
also stood at attention too. Not in ser.
ried ranks stood these. They crowded
the sidewalks of the great cities or wait
ed in country homes; bent old men,
sober faced women, wondering children,
while the younger boys flushed with a
strange feeling, they knew not what,
only that they wished they we're older
while the mothers glancing at them
were happy that these at least must be
spared because Of their tender years.
These also "did their Bit" 1t was
easier for the young brave men to stand
and if called to 90. than for the noncom-
batants to hear them called aud later to
see them 20. Some of these mothers
and fathers had the double and perhaps
the triple trial of getting ready to say
"good-by" and "God bless you my son"
for IN many cases two or more brothers
were called. The calling of some num-
Der made wives and children prospec-
lively widow and fatherless at least for
time. possibly forever. All. the heart
aches OF these who cannot fight and can
only mourn. Did ever fate bring more
sorrow and anxiety in one day than the
lottery at Washington on that unlucky
day of Friday?
But under it all, these who have to
suffer with patiense and who may not
have the pleasure of resisting by force
as do the soldiers, these patient ones
show an equal if not greater patriotism.
The mother whose heart is almost
broken because her boy Is called. per-
chance would die of broken heart If
she found her son to be cowardly
Stacker.
The old father, who so deeply wishes
that he could take the place of his son
on the muster roll, tells his boy to 60
and be brave soldier, but withal in a
broken voice and moist eyes.
The little son standing by his mothers
knee asks "Where is pspa?" and mother
replies "Papa has gone to be soldier
and We must be brave and patient until
he comes back to us again." though in
her heart comes the sinking sensation
that perhaps he will never return. But
the boy looks up almost smilingly and
says 1Mamma, when I am man I will
be- = soldier too.''
Ny readers. that is what patriotism
means to those who by sex or infirmity
may not 60 to the front. But those who
do 60 know what these feel and know
their sorrow, and it makes them all the
better soldiers because they thus realize
just who they are fighting for and what
these folks at home" expect Of them
when at the battle front.
These bear burdens Of care. and sor-
row greater than do those who bare
their breast to shot and shell on the
battlefield. God be with them IN their
lonliness-and we hope our country will
not forget to aid and comfort then.
while the loved ones are fighting our
battles.
y Lot no soldiers family suffer. You
may not. be one to fight but you can be
one to aid ana comfort and that will be
tpua hatriofiam too