The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-07-08
NO ROOM FOR DESPAIR.
By Abbie Farwen Brown of The Vigi-
lantes.

lantes.
When our nation went into this fearful
WARMTH high hearts and wide-open
eyes-Awe knew that many gallant boys
must die; still others must be hurt,
dreadfully hurt With dread we antici-
pated the day when many would be com
ing home-not the ableb bodied lads we
knew, but crippled and MANNED, per
haps; seeming helpless and discouraged.
That last must not be!
No one must be discouraged, however
much he may have suffered No one, if
human ingenuity can prevent, must be
left helpless. You have only to read the
splendid things which are being done in
this line. For this is one great task
which marvellous modern surgery and
science are taking in hand. Nowadays
there is no room for despair, because of
physical hurts. The grace of God and
human devotion have brought about
what seems like new age Of miracle
As an offset to this worst Of wars goes
such cooperation and intelligent recon
structive thinking as the world has new
er seen. The first aide at the front, the
conyslescent hospitals, the skill and re-
sources of surgeons and nurses have de
yeloped such favorable conditions that
wounded soldier has a better chance Of
complete recovery. even from terrible
wounds, than ever in the worlds history.
Moreover, after his physical healing is
completed, there is more effort being put
into equipping him TO face peace again,
than was ever dreamed Of The most ia
nous sculptors are giving their time to
contriving means to hide his disfigure-
ment. The eleverest inventors are study
ing to fit him with substitutes for lost
limb or muscles put out of commission.
The wisest teachers are ready to teach
him a new occupation, if his old one has
become impracticable. The most sympa
thetic agencies are preparing to find what
he can do 10 be most useful TO his CRATE
full country. Uncle Sam is on the job to
look after him. Could he have better
hope?
We must cooperate with Uncle Sam.
First Of all, we must ourselves keep
cheerful and hopeful, even if it is our
own boy who is coming back, altered and
discouraged He will depend much upon
our hope and cheer. The attitude of his
own home toward boys apparent mis-
fortune will be one of the greatest fac.
tors in his future career, of usefulness or
of despair. Perhaps it will turn out not
to be such misfortune, after ALI AL
ready many a soldier has found his true
self in the hospital Many one who had
an unimportant job before he was Grip
Piled, has studied and praeticed and per-
fected some speciality which has given
him more satisfactory position than
ever.
MANY man who has lost his right
hand is doing better work than ever with
his left, or with the marvellous mechanic
cal fingers which have been made for him.
The government has worked out a
great scheme, in which it needs the help
of us all Don't throw sand in the ma.
chinery, if you happen to have crippled
lad at the 'front.' Don't be so selfish, so
impatient to see and comfort him that
you prejudice his future. Miracles take
time! He is being looked after, remem-
Der. We must not demand that he be
sent home as soon as his misfortune Is
known. Yes your Husky may have done
his brave bit, and may think he is not a
Husky any more, and may demand just
home, sympathy, help for his helpless
ness--and his pension. He may intend to
give up active life,s because of his mis-
fortune" He may feel too hurt by fate
to try any more. Don't let him feel so!
Maybe his real happiness, his true use
fulness is just beginning You must be
brave for him now, as he has been brave
for us all. You want the best for him 7
You don't want him to miss the chance
of building anew dignifed future, do
your
Wen, then! Don't you be discouraged
Don't let him despair! Brace yourself to
brace him, and read of the splendid
things that are being done to give hope
for such as Reconstruction, re-edu-
cation, re-equipment, replacement in af-
fairs. Americans are so versatile and
adaptable, thank God
Uncle Sam win do the best possible for
the boy who made the fine sacrifice. He
win have his well-earned pension, Bat
that is not ALL He will have, if humanity
possible, good job, too. Ten chances to
one he win have it, if we all cooperate,
1t is not like the old days. You must
read the wonderful things that are hap
pening to the boys whose splendid spirit
mere metal could not crush.
There is no room for despairl