Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1918-01-25
Ny; Brother
Tom !.

BY ELINOR MARSH

When the worlds war broke out Tom
enlisted in an Ambulance corps and
went to France without my seeing him.
[ had not seen him since he had left
home eight years before. Then news
came that he had been grievously
wounded, and was to be discharged
from military service. and sent home,
Meanwhile, father had died, mother
was very feeble, and there was no one
to meet Tom when he should arrive at
the port of New York but myself. The
news that he had of Tom was that he
pined to get home and the surgeons had
decided to send him without waiting
for him to fully recover.
T could not get definite news as to
when Tom would arrive, so I went to
New York and waited. One morning
learned that ship was at quaran-
tin and would be at the dock in a few
hours. I Immediately went to the
landing place, and in due time the ship
was locked. I went aboard, and on
deck, on a stretcher, lay soldier,
waiting to be, carried ashore.
"Are you Tom?" asked, kneeling
beside the streteher.
eyes," he said, looking at me inquir-
ingly.
gave him kiss and piled him with
questions as to his condition, but did
not give him time to answer any of
them. AS soon as I came to pause
he said:
"When do you suppose I'm to be tax
en- ashoreF
Don't trouble yourself about any
thing; I'm here to look after you" ]
said and, seeing an officer Of the ship
not far from me, I ran to him and
begged him to send some men to carry
my brother ashore. The officer at
once ordered four men to take up the
stretcher and carry it TO the dock. I
walked beside Tom, and on reaching
the shore, asked him if I should get
an amDulance TOT Hiul.
"Not on your life" he replied. "Tve
seen all of the ambulances I care to
see. I got knocked out driving one
of them. I'm strong enough to sit up
in an auto"
There were taxicabs about, and l
called one of them, and the men who
had carried Tom ashore helped him
into it. I told the chauffeur where to
drive us, and he moved away.
"Where are you going to take me-"
asked Tom.
"rm stopping with Aunt Mary; We'll
60 there"
"She won't take me in, will she?'
said Tom doubtfully.
Certainly; she'll be only too glad
to do so. You can lean on me-" And
drew him toward me and his head
sank on my shoulder.
I could not get much information
from him about himself, he was so
weak. He left everything to me, ask
ing no questions and manifesting no
in anything till said: "Well
be at Aunt Mary's in a few minutes,
and YOU will soon be comfortable in
bed" Then he said that he must 30
to hospital. His wound was healed,
but it would be safer for him to go
where he could have a doctors atten-
ton at a moments notice.
I was disappointed at this, for I
had hoped to take him home with me
the same day.
I drove him to hospital and en-
gagged a room for him. After seeing
him comfortably in bed l gave him
kiss and, promising to come back in
a few hours, took my departure for
my aunt's. At parting he looked up
1T me with an expression of deep ap-
probation and gratitude, saying:
IT don't know what I should have
lone if you hadn't met me and taken
Ill this trouble in my behalf"
Kissed him again and told him that
ny service had only just begun.
Having telegraphed mother that
Tom had arrived and was doing well,
hat the doctor said 1t would be. safe
or him to go home in about week,
returned to him. nursed him af-
'ectionateiy, spending every day with
hin. At the end of three days the
loctor said that it would be perfectly
;afe for him to travel. but TEN said
le was too weak to stand The journey.
Three more days passed. One after
loon when I was sitting by his bed,
holding his hand in mine, the door
opened and q young man entered. He
ooked at US with an amused express
sion and said:
"Well, I'll be jinged!"
Tom withdrew his hand from mine
The stranger took me in his arms
md kissed me, then said to Tom:
"What the dickens does this mean.
rou old humbug. You have evidently
,een passing yourself off for me-"
IT haven't. Tom, honor bright; your
sister met me, and took pity on me. /
hadn't the resolution. to disabuse her
If her mistake. You know haven't
lear relative in the world. Your sis
er took me in charge, and it was well.
or was not able to take care of my
;elf."
"Well, well, old man, I'm glad she's
,een Of service to you. don't blame
you bit. I wish some fellows sister
lad met me; would have played the
'ame game"
I'm not going to say how felt. ]
covered my face with my hands and
ny brother-my real brother pulled