Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1918-09-05

! TRIBUTE TO Y. M. c. 4.

: TRIBUTE TO Y. M. C. 4. y
From a Letter in the Outlook.
In working with the United States
army Y. NJ. c. A. in France there is one
great thing that stands out above all
others-opportunlty. There can be no
frills or shams with the American SOL
der in. France: it is the real stuff that
counts, and it is just plain man to man
always; so If he makes good and o
make good. you both succeed, and II
o don't you fail.
knew as little about opening a hut"
as l did about opening a hotel. but after
two days Of being general utility man
in a we'll run hut in a large town I was
told 1 was to have one of my own-all
my own. to sink or swim by. Late
October afternoon i was set down from
a motor truck In a small village in
northern France with a load of can
teen supplies and a plano and told to
go to It" In a moment l vas sur
rounded by a moi Of excited boys, and
the piano was being played before it
1 was deluged with questions: will
you help with n minstrel show?" Did
you bring a football?' do you think
we will be out of this damned place by
Christmas?" My hut was in the loft Of
a ruined mill. with the mill race run
ming beneath-a wonderful room with
great beams and deep shadows. full of
charm n suggestion, and it was the
happiest Of homes to us all for the tour
months we We're there.
My boys were not born with a silver
spoon in their mouths nor with a gold
en- tongue. Their language was dread
full. lurid. 1 thought the matter over
c9rofnI1V and roQ onoo6 something lilo
this: 1t was as natural for them to
swear as to breathe. Ny Job was to
make them as happy as possible, and
they could no be happy unless they
b%reathed, so l let them swear away, but
l drew the line II they swore in anger
at each other. l made my greatest bid
for their respect and affection. and I
won out, though it took me weeks to
find the key to some OF their hearts.
They are all my boys now in every
sense.
One day a youngster. a mere lad, in
whom had taken an interest said:
Look here, Larry, you don't know it.,
but / have always been a crook. a thief;
but somehow, l guess l won be any
MORE"
EARLY in February the long expected
order for active service at the front
arrived, and with it my permission from
the Y. M. c. A. to sc with the men. l
- 0NSAA VII WV O0sNAS "a - -
with them, whether front line trenches.
support, Or reserve. My officers have
been goodness itself and have given me
every opportunity. They agree with
me that the moral effect is very strong
in having some one with the boys, some
M bwho does not have to be there,
but who goes as a friend to live their
life ard to share their dangers.
When possible, l carry in supplies.
sometimes Gven into the front line
trenches, bus more often it is just for
a chat of mother. sweetheart, and
home. and together, for a time, we can
forget the foul mud, the rat infested
dugouts, ard the incessant shellfire.
This is the chance for service the Y. NJ.
C. A. makea possible for us older men;
surely the finest OF chances to do some
thing to nuke this grim game of war
less terrible for these oor boys. many
of whom have little understanding for
what they are fighting. but are willing,
ready to bleed and die at their coun-
try's call.