Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-05-28
I0,un Doctor Somewhere in France
tBy F. Clarke. Fair field Major NJ. c, U. RI

rule the world. 1t seems to me our
only hope is their extinction,
like the French. They certainly
are fine people and they are not
dead. We all admire them from Gen.
eral Foch down. OF course the Latin
peoples are very different from us in
many particulars. Their ideas Of n.y.
giene, cleanliness and decency are
strange to the Americans. To have
ones cattle room next the parlor; to
pile the stable manure in even ricks
along the main street of the village;
these things, to say the least, offend
our over sensitive noses. But Gust oms
vary turnout the world and we may
have ways Of doing things as objec-
tionable to the Latins. At any rate
we are glad to find France strong and
brave and not at all "bled white"
Just now the great drive is on -
the greatest battle of the world. We
know less Of it than you do for our
papers contain less news. Now and
then, however, some one comes from
the worst regions and each such Off :
Ger assures us of an ultimate allied
victory. Here again our home folks
anxiety for our safety is out of all
proportion to our danger. We're you
here we would go out and see the Red
Cross demonstration Of American farm
machinery. In the evening we would
pass the Red Cross tneater where SOL
diers, nurses and convalescent patients
are watching the movies. You would
hear the soldier growl. as all good SOL
diers do, If his coffee is cold or his
~
write dictionary put in this: Soldier
One who always growls at trif1es
and smiles at real difficulties and
dangers
Out on .tfe hill by the old church
is little mound of earth with white
wooden cross standing at one end Of
it. Three weeks ago, we marched out
there behind a truck that bore a box
covered with an American flag. At the
church yard safe six hospital corps
men took the box from the motor and
carried 1t up the hill. The bishop
chaplain walked next, reciting in his
splendid voice as we marched the
beautiful burial service Of the church:
Il am the resurrection and the life.
He that believeth on me, tho he were
dead, yet shall he live" Officers,
nurses, enlisted men formed the pro-
cession. About a hundred French
women and children. in deep mourning
for their dead, stood about in silence.
A prayer was offered, the coffin low
cred, three volleys were fired, and then
the. bugler sounded taps-that most
beautiful bit OF music in the world. We
tried to represent the family and loved
ones of this boy. and we all did let
our tears flow at his grave. All the
French mothers wept. I have expert
enced few more impressive moments.
Burned with gas" in the trenches. de-
stroyed for the ambition Of king. laid
to rest 1000 miles from home with no
kin near-he seemed to me to be call
ing all to consecrate their lives to the
task OF making such thing impos-
siole for the generations to come
How can such be done?
It is forbidden that I write OF our
work in the hospitals. OF course you
know that when I speak Of flowers
and birds. these are seen in the be-
tween times. The flesh torn by. shells,
the eyes blinded with gas these things
are our daily care and to give each
soldier our best labors Is our aInbi-
ton.
We are homesick. Evenings. rest
hours, we long for the world to be-
come normal again. We have be-
lief that this is the last battle, that the
Prusslan power will soon collapse and
then all men will do more normal
things that they are engaged in doing
now.
Somewhere in France. April 20, 1918.