The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1918-05-17
HOW RED CROSS.
HOME SERVICE
SAVED "BOSSlE"

The home service section of the
American Red Cross is one Oh 1he
tenderest arms of the "GreateSt
Mother in the World,' as the kea
Cross has been called. 1t reaches out
and succors where there is none
other to lift the burdens which press
down upon helpless shoulders when
the bread winner goes marching OFT
to the war
An incident in the work of the
Home Service section happened the
other day in an Alabama chapter
It seems that a poor and Ignorant
farmer was selected for service and
was hustled off to the cantonment
without due regard having been paid
to the rights of dependent wife
who was left behind to till poor
farm and care for "Bossie" the sole,
exclusive live stock on the place.
"Bossie" is mich cow of doubtful
age and questionable productivity.
But at that "Bossie" counted big and
broad in the scheme Of that poor
soldiers farm.
The wife heard that it might be
possible to secure the release of her
husband from the army in order that
he might help her stand off the wolf
and feed the little but cavernous
mouths that were dependent on that
farm to say nothing Of the necessity
of keeping "Bossie" in a good hui
NOR and deriving from her help for
the family larder.
So she hunted up lawyer and told
him her troubles. He said he would
undertake the work of fixing up her
husbands papers for $40.
Ten dollars! Surely there was
not so much money in all the world,
though this lone wife on the thin
farm where Bessie was the only live
stock and the blowing was left I'M
done because there was no pillow.
And yet she MUST raise it in some
way.
So on her way home she called at
the home of the neighborhood skin
flint and he lived up to his reputa-
ton. He would give her $40 for
Bessie. And so Bessie was sold.
Then she made her way back to
her lawyer and he well, he said
he would make out the papers.
) After while the husband appeal
ed to the commander of his COM
pany, told of how his wife had sold
J. Bessie and paid the $40 to law
yer. But he also told that nothing
: had come of the sacrifice she had
i made but a vacant place where "Bos-
sic" had been.
What did this officer do? Why,
ne wrote to the Red Cross chapter
d in the Alabama town whore this
thing happened, The Home Service
u section got busy at once. 1t hunted
u up the lawyer and natvely showed
: him the letter from the captain Of the
soldiers company calling him hui
man vulture. A great light dawned
" on this lawyer and he was quick to
refund the money. Next a visit was
made to the neighborhood shylock
" and he was offered his $40 back
Il for the release of "Bossie." He de-
e manded $12 as this sort of animal
always seeks profit. A check for
u $12 was written for him. With it
went a full and scorching opinion of
him and his sort. 1t scorched. He
snizzled. He melted. He refused
to take the check for $12 and said
he would be satisfied if lie got his
money back. He was shown new
light and he was made to regret that
he ever had been a shylock.
And then, with clear sailing, the
Home Service section went after
it Washington and laid the matter of
the injustice which had been done
this poor and ignorant soldier
Washington moves slowly some.
y times, but it moves with justice and
n the Home Service section of this
e Alabama chapter hopes soon to re-
3, store to his family the provider,
:, poor though he be, to help that des
n perate wife stand between hel
S, brood and the gaunt and stalking
e wolf of want.
: And Bessie! Why she is back ii
: the lot and really is giving NOR.
L milk than ever.
q
J. w. c. I. U. MEET