The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-08-22
RHEUMATIC PATIENT KNITS FOR
RED CROSS
". j. Marcia Has Thirteen Sweaters
to His Credit, and Thereby Hangs
Tale

While the present year was yet in
its infancy, Mr. Marcia's constant
companion (rheumatism) renewed its
devotion with increased ardor, with
no excuse whatsoever, excepting the
inclemency of the weather. Soon tir-
ing of reading the war news and
watching his wife sew for the Red
Cross, Mr. Marcia decided to while
away a few lonesome hours by knit
ting a sweater, thinking possibly he
would be able to complete one during
the winter.
After consulting Mrs. Barbara Luce
who has charge of the Red Cross work
and who with her characteristic
promptness supplied him with yarn
and directions, he commenced his first
sweater. To knit a sweater seemed
at first, almost an endless task. as
each finger seemingly strove vail
antly to get directly in the way of
Its fellow finger, but, as he patiently
persevered, gradually these learned
to keep their respective places and
to do his bidding, until now, they are
as we'll trained as any fingers belong
ing to the opposite sex can possibly
be-
The remark has been made that Mr..
Marcia couldn't have much else to do.
AS matter of fact, one would have
to travel many miles to find a more
industrious person, than this same
man Marcia. Besides working his
farm, caring for eight head of cattle.
2 horses and l pig, he is making ex-
tensive repairs on the buildings, where
he recently moved. having sold his
old home, and the sweaters are made
at odd jobs. To quote his wife: AS
he enters the house for his meals, be
it breakfast, midday meal or the
evening repast, if it is not quite ready
to serve, he steps along to the table
where his work is always handy, and
knits, sometimes not more than part
way across the work" 1t is with him
a case of here a little and there q
little and before he realizes it, a
garment is completed
AS he comes in from his days work
weary, worn and sad (for he is stu
ated like thousands of others, nearly
all he has is Somewhere over there"
he flies to his knitting as to friend
and as his fingers move swiftly to and
fro, his thoughts move more swiftly
yet, through all sorts of labyrinths
and in fancy he lives his childhood
days over again. He goes with the
1, L. Co.
ming lesson; little later rejoicing
with him over the first brook trout
weighing one half pound; again to
hunt for the crows summer abode,
whose inmates were much interested
in the cornfield nearby; now watching
him take the first ride on the sled just
made. As the boy outgrows the first
sled, all the merits of the double run
ner are discussed (for father and son
are close cOmpanions) croquet, base
ball tennis and skis all have their
place, the boy being fond of all out
door sports Then his thoughts roam
to the long winter evenings when pop
corn. rosy-cheeked apples, beech-nuts
and homemade candy at different
times are enjoyed while the boy is
learning to play the childish games,
checkers especially; now, he can al
most hear the sweet tones of the
piano, as the boy plays the fathers
favorite pieces. And so he lives over
again. scene after scene, in which the
boy always figures prominently
Finally his thoughts turn to the sum
mer Of 1917, when the boy bears the
burden of the farm work, the tables
are turned. and while they are milk
ing the cows they can see the fragrant
sweet peas lifting their bright heads
above the barn-yard fence, the diff
ferent colors and fragrance are noted,
then their glance wanders to the we'll
kept lawn beyond and they see an
other row of the same sweet blossoms
between two maple trees, for sweet
peas head the list of the boys favorite
flowers. AS gentle breeze sways
the branches of the trees they play
hide and seek, while the beautiful rays
from the western sky casts a rosy hue
over all, making a never-to-be-for-
gotten picture. Now he is living in
the present, and his heart throbs with
plying tenderness for those whose
lONcu OJtS nave maui lUG supreme
sacrifice, and he pays tribute to their
devotion and loyalty to the Stars and
Stripes, also to all the lads who are
doing their best" never murmuring,
always cheerful and making the best
of everything.
AS his thoughts keep pace with his
fingers he finds that his nerves, so un-
strung at the beginning of the session
with the amber needles. are in unison
once more. The twilight shadows
have deepened so he can no longer
see to knit. AS he lays aside his
work preparatory to seeking we'll
earned nights repose, he wishes that
more men would learn the art of knit
ting, thus doing their "bit' for the
organization that has done, and Is do
ing, such a wonderful work-the Red
Cross-for Light is the task when
many share the toll" sang a Greek
poet long ago, and the truth thus
voiced Is just as true now as then,