Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1918-11-14

other day---a devoted and gentle moth.
er.-T think Of my son always ~ fac
Ing guns. bayonsting Germans. lying
IN the mud and nth. I cannot sleep.
I an haunted BY the thought Of the
drsa1fulnsss Of It Ill. and ! can Do
nothing for him"
Bat there was q lrsat deal that she
could DO, and I told hsr -.
But what!"
There was 4 pile Of letters on her
desk--letters in pale buff envelopes.
stamped with = red triangle ana Q
quartet Of magical letters.
There's your answer" I said.
What do you meant"
Those four lstters--Y. N. 9. A.
spell comfort Tor your boy. amusement.
sympathy. Not all Of war ID Aghtins.
He Isn't always going over the top. or
killing Huns. A lot Of timea he 10 Just
tired or hom ssick or. lonely. II IL then
that he thinks Of you. 1t IL then that
hs longs for homo. And II you can't
be with him. you oan help home to fol.
low him."
It was hard to make her understand,
a. rhave found It hard to make others
understand. In her capacity Of moth.
er. she wanted to minister to her child.
II shs had had him with her she would
have comforted him, cheered him. but
At long distance what could she do?
Let others do IT," told her blunt.
ly. "and pay them we'll for IT, II 10 the
cup Of cold water they are Offering
can't you see! You aren't there to do
it. You can't.be there. You wouldn't
be bit Of use II you were there. But
u Salvation Army lassie can hand him
u doughnut to heartsn him up at the
psychological moment--the huts can
furnish him with amusement. spiritual
unlift. companionship. paper to write
his letters, his chocolate, cigarettes
and coffee. And they are only asking
you to give your money. Many women
are giving more: there are many titled
women In London who have sent their
sons to fight, have turned their homes
into hospitals. have poured out their
money In generous response to every
call. and are now working AZ char
women in "Y" canteens.
There's the story-have you heard
iti-of the woman who, on her knees
with brush and hot water and soap,
was scrubbing the floor Of tho Eagle
Hut. The water In the pail was black.
The woman wanted the pail emptied
and clean water brought. A man In
uniform came by. and she asked him
to do 1t. There was a pause. then his
reply. Dammit. madame. I'm an Of
fcer" There was a tense moment
then the flashing response. Dammit
officer. I'm duchess"
II don't see how you can joke about
It," said the lady to whom war was 81
lighting.
"Oh, my dear. my DEAR" l told her
III we can't joke about 1t little We
shall all be having sleeplssK nights
and that would never d."
found as we talked that she war
rather pathetically limited in her con
ception Of the needs Of her son and
OF other sons. went away with 8
check in four figures for the cause
yet am not sure that even now sht
quite comprehends what she has done
to contribute to the happiness Of the
boys who have Offered their younl
lives in our defense.
Let me say this to you who have
been tempted to shake your heads ant
pull your purse-strings tight-ths msr
over there haven't any homes
trench isn't home, or tent. or ever
French farmhouse where one 10 Gil
leted and sleeps on straw. And for
youngstsr who has always had . sof
bed. two pillows. q hair mattrsss.
hot bath. grapefruit for breakfast.
whole pleasant American house to b.
happy In, you can imagine what Il
means to be homeless. with not deal
nor a chair which belongs to him. no
nook or corner for hs own things
nothing but \ hit bag and casua
sleeping rlaos!
Then along comes q Salvation Arm!
angel With 4 piece Of pie. and thsrs'
a bit of home: or 4 pleasant, middle
aged woman smiles over tho counter .
a canteen a. she pours his coffee. an,
there's home. and mother; or Mar.
Pickford smiles at him from . movini
picture screen. and there's blessed
darling America in every line OF her
or Sothern .recitss. or Elsie JAM
dances. and he's back homo bssid
you, eager and excited. your little Lad
with his hand in yours-"Isn't It esrl
ing. mothsri"
Oh, Loosen your purse,strinGs. pou
out the>sold! Put yourself In the etAs
mans place. Pray for vision. Ii
some dream come to you OF what
would mean II you were transports
suddenly from the softnsss and cas-
OF your life to world Of Ars aAd Aam
and horror.
| Wouldn't you want the Light Of
little hut to shine out for youf Woul,
MT you want the smiling womsn's fac,
the touch Of friendly hand. wouldn
you think Of that hut ~ the only oasi
In a Desert Of Dreadful TAingsf
Put yourself In his place. and II 70
can't fight with him, at least spsn
your money for him. spend - muc
as you oan--snd then spend NOR
He's orth II. and he's worth II n
only because he's your lAd and ny h,
but because he's fighting for the Aan<
Of your country. and for the world
need OF freedom from the Munt
ccunni = niSTRlcrc uEi DIN