The Coconino sun., 1918-09-27
WHAT HAPPENED
 TO BODIES HEALTH
Eddie's Case Similar to Many Others Happening in Every
 Camp in the U. $. Today. :,

SdAltP HI IAtN Cs os 4U00ys His mother called him Eddie and his wife called him Ed. He was tall and thin and concave as to chest and convex as to shoulders. He worked all day in bank, where the air was bad and the light artificial. His com plexion was a pasty yellow, his appe- tite was poor and what he ate didn't agree with him. Likewise, he slept very badly. Still, there was no or ganic difficulty. He wanted to go and the examining physician passed him. His mother wept, and his wife said, "Well, he'll break down the first week. He never can stand camp life" He said he owed his country some thing and was going to pay it. So he went away, and began training.
 Four months later his mother and his wife went to visit him. It was quite a trip, but they made it, and arrived at the camp and went to ''hos- tess house. 'as he had directed in case he could not meet them. His mother had brought various knitted articles and his wife had large box of edi- bles. I only hope he will be able to eat them," she sighed. He always did have finicky appetite" His mother remembered when it was not fin icky," but said nothing. They watched the soldiers come and go for some time.
 q haven't seen ary one,' said his mother, "that looks like he had any stomach troublew
 They went out and sat on the porch and watched the shifting crowds of soldiers. Finally the younger eyes of the wife saw a figure approaching that looked familiar. She pointed it out. Mother Dexter, could THAT be Ed?" she whispered.
 It was "Ed." His wife flew to meet him and his mother waited on the steps and they both kissed and hugged him and he returned the ca ressses with interest and abandon. No body paid any attention. A year be- him in public for Liberty Bond. Both of them paved and patted and he acted as if he liked it. They had lovely time.
 Then his mother said, But some way you look different, Eddie. What have they done to you? Is it your uniform
 Eddie" laughed, and stood up for inspection, with conscious pride. "It isn't altogether the uniform," he an- swered. "Of course, living up to it helps some, but if you'll notice they've got kind of reflex action on me. My chest bulges little in front, and my shoulders cave in. I've got some lung capacity didn't have. When the ser geant began with us he said, Now run like the Boche was after you,' and we developed some speed. Now he says, Up an at lem; get after the Bochep and we run twice as fast"
 "Is the food good?" asked his wife, producing her box rather doubtfully.
 Honest to goodness, hardly know he said. "It goes down so fast l hardly have time to taste it, but l suppose it is, floor I'm always ready for mess call. And I stay as long as anybody" He put out long, strong right arm. You might just feel that bunch of muscles" he said, flexing it. q can chin myself as often as I could WhSH WaS tSii years Oluy uOWH OH grand-dad's farm. And I've got about the same complexion, haven't I, Ma?"
 "You look like red Indian," said his mother fondly.
 "A tow-headed red Indian would be some looker," he said cheerfully. Mother, do you know what this training has done for me Can you imagine having somebody come along and take you to pieces and put you together again, joint by joint, until there isn't an ache, or a creaky place, or anything that doesn't work? That's part of our job--we have to be in con- dition. want all the food that's com ing to me, and fall into my berth at night and sleep until reveille. I never knew, not since was kid, how fine it is to be a thoroughly healthy, strong man. If it wasn't just a trifle public I'd like to take one of you under each arm and walk off with tyou.. That's what my training has done for me. Come on-they have d cafeteria inside, and Pm SO hungry could eat a government mule stuffed With firecrackers"
 This is a true story. It has hap pened in dozens of camps, thousands of times.
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