The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-06-22
THE DAILY
SHORT' STORY
Somewhere in France
By FRANCES B. LINsKY.
soDyFight, 1918, by the Mcclure

u|lloIl.
sFVoFyone must do her bit" she said
% hor adnlring family as jacket after
Nilckol vas neatly folded and sent OF
~ he local headquarters to be shipped
% TIE boys at the front"
on the particular dsy in question,
Jean decided 70 90 into the pine grove
WIN her knitting.
iIt win be cooler there" thought
EhD. "and I'll call for Grace on my way.
G1ou probably be glad 70 came with
NO."
A little later the two girls were
comfortably seated in the pine grove,
oaeh busy with her work.
"Gface, I've an idea," said Jean.
mot really said Grace.
Eyes, q real one" replied Jean.
calmIy ignoring the intended sarcasm
nAnd this Is IT, Havn't you ever heard
Y % farmers who write their names on
cggs when they pack them to ship t.
ne cityT'
why, yes" said Grace, 81 have, bu,
don't sec what that has 70 DO with
Knitting sweaters for soldiers
well" said Jean. I'D Ike TO put a
note inside one Of the sweaters ana
send e to some poor fellow over
here I'm sure it would cheer him up
q whole lot, and besides" her eyes
shining. wouldn't II be a lark"
HWhY Jean Wood, | think that's
great" exclaimed Grace, getting into
ne spirit Of the thing at once, and III
glGo Jon my Luck Piece to put in the
letter. I've often heard that a lucky
piece has stopped 4 bullet"
So Jeans needles flashed back and
forth and dead silence reignod in the
pine grove until the sweater was fin.
shed.
Nov Tor the letter" said Jean and
With the stump OF an old tree for her
Writing table, she wrote while Grace
dictated what they had decided to say,
"f0r you know. il must not be any.
hing silly" said she, "for it's a very
serious occasion" So she wrote:
u hope this sweater viii keep you
EaFm. and may the lucky piece bring
rood luck TO scmeone-somewhor in
France And down in the corner
she signed her name and address.
There, wonder II we'll ever hear
lrom mat" said Jean. as she fastened
ne note containing the precious lucky
pitce securely to the inside Of the
IWcater.
aI1l send my small brother Bobby
l0Wn 70 the headquarters with It this
very afternoon" she announced, as
sho and Grace parted at the latter's
cate, and so. before many hours had
slapsod, tho sweater, in company wits
many Of its kind was speeding on its
Hoy "OVer there"
Some two months later as the Wood
,amily set at breakfast, the postmaD
zane with the mail.
Hello" said Mr.. Wood, as he glanc
"a over ne pile which the letter car.
fior had handed him, there's a very
official letter for JEAN" and he held
I'D q blue envelope with Censored
stamped across its face. ITS from
France. too" he said, and glanced
luestloningly at his daughter, who sat
With flushed cheeks and downcast
cyes-but said nothing.
Maybe Jeans got a Teller in the
rcnchea" remarked Bobby, TO no one
n particular
Jean gave him e whitening glance.
which, however, affected Master Bob
,y not Ot all.
Mr. Wood, however, seeing Jeans
discontinue, gave his wife a knowing
glance, and wisely said nothing, know.
ng that his daughter would tell in her
,Wn good time.
So Jean put the letter under her
lIaie, aud making a mere pretense at
l1tIng her breakfast. escaped as soon
- possible 70 the privacy Of her own
ioom 70 read the precious letter.
somewhere in France" It was
headed:
Dear Jean Wood:-A very lone.
some solder boy Is Just one great
BIZ Thank You Ma'am' to you for
ne sweater, the letter and the lucky
piece. u you would only write me
nee N a while. tell you I'd appreci.
lie e u would seem like shaking
lands with someone from back home. ,
I'm sending you q souvenir in ex.
ihango for the luck piece. II isn't
nuch, but ] made It while / was in the
hospital here with a bad knee-so |
I9pe yon1l accept it with my com.
IImcn(s.
Twas afraid II might get smashed
lImalled Il, 80 I gave It to my broth.
10 take 70 you-he's been here on
uty with the university medical unit,
re he's gone home on a furlough.
loull see him soon.
Gratefully, Max Norton. "
Jean read the letter and re-read it,
nd lhen vent straight down stairs
md tod no whole story to her father.
wei, little GIRL" said he when she
IA lnished. Il don't know as 1t was
IVoII wise thing TO debut I'll see
pc doctor man when he comes and
rtl 10 does there's nothing to worry
bouts So pinching her cheek, he
odo her run along and tell Grace all
bout NJ which she very promptly did
He camo that very evening" pleas.
nl-Y0Icod, very much tanned young
nn' looking every inch q soldier in
s Wo'fllilng uniform, and intrOduc.
- h|ulolf,a e Or. Robert Norton, he
.p|ancd ne GRAND 10 Mr.. Wood, and
.Eed lor lean.
Io1n came forward, looking so sweet
nd IIIlIsh n her embarrassment, that
|0cy shook hands, his lips said:
nm pleased 10 meet you" but his
Bee were more eloquent.
~ van, 70 thank you, for my brother
pes JEAN said Dr.. Norton, land to
I've yon this"
rIh.s' proved 70 Do q bird cage very