Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-24
HANDS Acnoss THE SEA.
America has entered upon tn. gr

America has entered upon the great
est war the world has ever known.
Never before has il taken more pa
u:ot!s'n 10 carry on war, but II must
be done. This war must he won by the
allies. autocracy must be put down!
Md who is TO do il? We, the people
OF this glorious Republic.
Not only must we send our men.
give freely and willingly to the Red
cross y NJ. G. A. and other organiza-
lions OF the kind. but we must con-
serve food The soldiers over there.
lighting for the liberties Of ALI ma
tons, must have food.
We certainly ought 10 be willing to
do our Nit,'' IL not our air when we
are safe. far away from the scene OF
battle When soldier leaves America
he is reasonably sure that his loved
ones Will be safe while he is gone. but
over there when a soldier leaves home
what assurance has he that when he
returns his home will not be torn
down. his land devastated. and his
loved ones driven from home or. per-
maps even killed? None whatever.
when mestless, wheat!eSs. susarlcss
or any other less" day comes. do not
re around with a scowl on your face,
Lut smile Smile and whisper TO your
self. lin doing this for France and for
America the land OF the free. for the
Us over there. and, best OF all. for
huma nifty"
Then how can we waste one single
bit OF food when we think OF the mil
lions of women and children in Bel
GUM, France and even in England who
are starving. because we are SO e1-
travaeant and wasteful" Perhaps
some day such conditions will exist in
our own country. Who knows" But
Ia fhi *
catastrophe may be aver;ed
In LITTLE cottage somewhere in
France q mother, with her little girl
folded tieh; In her arms, sat watching
The moon IS ii moved on its majestic
course across the heavens. The
heavenly consultations twinkled
brightly and nothing save the faint
booming Of distan, guns and the pow
erty everywhere gave token of the
dreadful war being waged so near,
Mamma. mamma" the little girls
lips puivercd pathe;ically, me want
something TO cat Mo so hungry
The mother gathered the little onr
closer 10 her breast as she watched
the little child eating hunsrily the last
crust of bread in thc house. Tears FILL
ed her eyes As 10 thought OF the
morrow when she would have nothing
10 give her darling. She thought Of the
husband and son she had given 10 her
beloved country. France.
90 cruel. cruel war TO rob me Of
my treasures" She sobbed for she
knew that soon the tiny form in her
arms would he lfe!ess will no one
come 10 the rescue OF noble France
ard send US food"'
She slowly arose and walked over to
the bed OF straw. her only place to
rest. She lay down. but not TO sleep
Her drawn face told her story OF de-
NAL. Far days she had had nothing to
cat. saving everything she could for
her child
For long time she lay there tossing
about or tho straw. her face flushed
with fever.
Dawn came and the child opened her
eyes and stretched out her tiny arms
TO her mother for food. It almost tore
the mothers heart in two 10 shake her
head at the futile plcadinss OF the
little child.
~ last the child sank into troubled
sleep To awake in the arms OF Jesus
And so they buried her. In the dark
cold ground nc. arms are still out
trctched-outstre;ch IN mite appeal
10 tho people OF America Will we turn
our backs on such a thing? God for
bid
tOriGinaD.
n