The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-05
A CAMPS MOTHER
A TirelesS Helpful One to the
Funston Boys.
A Great Meeting Place for All
the SammieS.
Y. W. C. A. HOSTESS HOUSI
Fond Mothers There Await
Coming of Their Sons.
A Place of Mingled Smiles and
Tears.

Being mother to several thousands
of soldier boys and a comforter and
adviser to mothers sisters and wives
is big task that often brings heart
aches and makes the world seem all
too hard and cruel at times. But in
the long run it pays big dividends, not
in cold cash, but in the satisfaction of
doing good, of frightening sad hearts
and of changing feeling of utter de-
spair tinged with resentment, into one
of patriotic sacrifice
Camp Funston's real mother is not
the kind of a camp mother that
spends her time talking to the Tuesday
Afternoon Knitting society or in read
ing paper on THE Dangers That
Must Be Eliminated to the members
of the Progressive Whist club.
From Z O'clock in the morning, un-
til the last goodbye has been said,
until the last sobbing mother has kiss
ed her soldier son farewell and the
doors of the Y. w. c. A. hostess house
have been closed at $50 o'clock at
night, this kind dispenser of cheer
and comfort is on the job. She is not
young, not old in appearance a tinge
of gray in her hair being offset by
young face that fairly radiates hap
piness. She is motherly.
Denver.
who has done volunteer work for
Judge Ben Lindsay and other work of
uplift and of a philanthropic nature
who is Camp Funston's real mother
altho her official title is hostess
is tlreIess in her endeavors-and han
Ply. She is happy in making others
happy, CT at least making them less
sad.
The Y. w. c. A hostess is the great
meeting place of this city of 40 900
/ w
mothers await the coming of their
sons and see them for, the first time
as defenders of their country
1t is the place where young wives
meet their soldier husbands and sob
a little and laugh a little, in turn
Sweethearts meet their soldier heroes
there and with eyes. if not words be-
speak their admiration of the stalwart
warriors so neat and trim in their olive
drab.
The hostess house is place of sor-
row and happiness; of tears and
smiles. 1t is a place where lives are
lived over again in memories, all in a
few short hours. 1t is in that little
brown shingled house. nestled at the
foot of a steep, towering hill that
many realize for the first time lust
what war means.
1t is difficult to catch Mrs. Allen at
leisure She seems busy always
answering questions, quieting mother
overcome with sudden grief, or trying
to get in communication with some
soldier whose wife is waiting to see
him.
''The days seem all too short" she
explained, for we believe we are
doing good. And when you know you
are getting results at anything, there's
so much satisfaction, you know.
This war is proving that it is not
only the men who are Brave. The
women are doing their full share.
They are doing it bravely. They are
making big sacrifices, sacrifices that
fairly wiring their hearts with sadness.
but with the courage displayed by the
American woman of by-gone days.
Mothers are being reconciled to give
up their sons-their abies who have
grown into manhood-and what
greater sacrifice could be asked of
anyone?"
does the next car come along for Man
hattan?''
It was a strapping young fellow
with the brilliant red hatcord of the
artillery on his hat that asked the
question of the hostess whose quail
fications include being timetable
and a human encyclopedia. Beside
him was a pretty young girl who
made no effort to hide her tears.
Next car at $780, she told the sol
der But she didn't stop at just that
Don't feel badly, dear" she told the
girl, as she gave her comforting
pat on the cheek.
And as the two went out she told the
little story of the couple, just one OF
the many stories that had come to her
that day.
'"They were to have been married In
September he said. But he was
DATED and the marriage has beer
postponed indefinitely He has beer
ordered away. to go to France soon
Poor thing 1 feel sorry for her!"
'sWho is the little gray-haire6
woman in the big rocker over by tht
f.ieplace?'' Mrs. Allen was asked
The little woman seemed in g
trance. She held her handkerchief t.
her forehead; her eyes we, red with
weeping yet then she was calm.
.'Oh, it makes me feel bad again tt
think of it," explained Mrs. Allen. at
is one of the saddest cases we hav,
had here. She came in IL IS rnornin,
from up in Nebraska, the happiest lit
tie woman you ever saw, all smiles
She had received word her boy was i'll
Just needs some good home cook
ing she told me. See, I've brough
him some preserves. his favorite kind
Hell be all right after I see hirn!' Sh,
didn't for minute think it was any
thing serious
The kindly hostess stopped for
moment. Her voice wasn't quit
steady as she continued:
ut was terrible. He died an hou
before she got here-spinal menin
gitis''
> Mrs. Allen. whatll be the chanc
of getting three chickens cooked her
tomorrow afternoon" popped forth
short little infantryman with a stu
nose and a smile that exposed a Sc
of white, even teeth.
Folks sent 'em up to me and 1 wan
TO put on a little feed for three of m
bunkies Won't be much trouble, Mrs
Allen, please
y guess We can arrange it a
right" smiled the camp mother
Day in. day out, it is the same. 10