Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-08-01
Spirit OF American Soldiers in
France Described by Red
Cross Worker.
CHEERFUL AND Confident
Each Believes IL He Doesn't Get Into
Action on Time Fight Will Be
lost-What American Wom-
en- Are Doing.

and thrilling letter 10 her parents.
letter thai should stimulate Red Cross
work throughout the world and give to
our soldiers in the trenches, on the fir
ing lines and In camp, their mothers.
sisters sweethearts and friends at
home fresh hope and assurance that
the American women are doing mag.
nificent work In their behalf.
Here Is what Miss Kathryn says:
| wish everyone at home. particu-
larry the loved ones of our fighting
men, could see "Our boys" as they 60
into battle. It's the proudest moment
of life and the grandest. Oh how
brave and splendid they are, with
smile on their lips. "Good-by." "We
will see you soon again.
We feed from four to Ave thousand
some days. our canteen is always
crowded
OF course that compliment Is our
greatest reward We all try and want
to do for "our boys" the very best.
They come and go at all hours of the
day and night, Our Red Cross con.
teen Is never closed. All Of "our boys"
on this line Of communication stop and
rest and have their meals and refresh
ments at this Red Cross canteen.
Want to Push on.
We always know, among the very
first. when big drive Is on, and then
We never seem to sleep. Nobody wants
to. "Our boys" don't even care to Sop
long and rest they want to push on.
Everyone of these blessed men feel
that If he fails to get there on time
and at the very second when called
into action the fight will be lost, and
10 will
Here Is toast one Of our brave Off.
GERS left with us. It expresses the nt'
titude Of "0ur boys" to us perhaps bet
ter than any word Of mine.
"To our women. who sent US forth
with courage in their hearts and tears
In their eyes.
'sro our women at home who are sac.
rificing all that we may win,
ITO our women over here who give
their own lives that we may live.
"God bless them, and damn the man
that does not respect them and the
coward that does not protect them
"Our boys mean every word ex-
pressed, and no woman was ever more
thoughtfully considered and protected
than we of the American Red Cross
who serve "our boys at the front.
Over 5000 American trucks. all
heavily laden, have passed our front
door In this last big drive. Every man
In charge came In for rest and refresh
ment and little chat with one OF his
native tongue, then with the smile of
the soldiers and wave of the hand IN
farewell, "Good-by until we meet
again"
After every battle and ut intervals
we see "our boys" coming back.
Blood soaked, weary, hut oh how
brave tour boys" with bayonet and
shell wounds will tell you quickly and
firmly. Il am all O. X ~ can wait,
Look after Jim there" or Look after
this lad; he's gassed." The pity and
the brutality of that horrible gas!
Get Best Of Care.
Every American father and mother
can rest ia full assurance that If theil
boy comes in anywhere along the line
the most thoughtful considerate ant
efficient care is given to him immedi
ately.
"Our boys" of course. come flrst
but In behalf of humanity, and th'
love Of Christ, we never say or az
anything TO Il wounded enemy, and W.
see them by the hundreds, that any
one could criticize. The American
Red Cross is here for service. and i
renders the best, day and night, Il
everyone that comes.
While it's work, hard work. ant
work all the time, we get lot OF II
and the sun shines just rs bright,
over here on the firing line as at home
Every day is u new one aud It's up
and downs FIJI NY the time.
A splendid gereral came in the 9th
err day aud he was sight. His clothes
were white with dust aud his face
black for Want Of a shave. The can
taan tvas pnpL pd---jt was one of Olll
busy days. The general wanted t
shave aud wash up before eating ant
the only spot vacant and available WA
the snail private dressing room uset
exclusively by we American women
We excluded all the women, put th
general In our private dressing room
with hot nnd cold water, and on tn
outside Of The door we wrote u not
and pinned it M reading;
"BEWARE-Girls stay out, The gen
eral Is shaving"
When our guest finished and cam
out Nv saw the sign, ana doubles
read II with amusement, because h
wrote just below It, as follows:
"Girls. your guest has finished. Man.
thanks to Gods greatest gift to man
an American woman
Aud then he signed his name, AM
that Is one of our choice souvenirs.
Passed on the Way.
IL. l.. n