Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1918-01-23
WOMAN AND HER SON REUNITED
AT Y. w. C. A. HOSTESS HOUSE
Army Camp Episode Portraying Faithful
Mother Who Makes Tiresome Journey to
See Jimmie -Other Pathetic Incidents.

Through the slush and snow a feeble
mother struggled. helped by, stalwart
military policeman. He led her to the
Y. w. C. A. hostess house and there she
took her seat before the fireplace, in a big
armchair. AS she pulled for breath she
said:
'My boy has been in the Army nine
years, and have not seen him in all shat
time. They have sent him here now, to
help drill the new men, and l. came to
see him. although he advised me not to
attempt he trip"
Miss Mary Truman, the tireless hostess
Of the house. went at once to the side of
the visitor, taking note of the name Of the
boy and his regiment. In another moment
she had passed the message on to some
willing soldier who hurried off to get
Jimmie.
Jimmie was a very much surprised man
when told that his mother was on hand
to see him. He confessed that he let slip
by many chances to see that mother, ana
that it was his fault that he had been
away nine years. The fellow was just a
bit sheepish, but also joyful as his SPAR
king eyes, cornered with moisture, clear
ly indicated. The mother told Miss Tru-
man that Jimmie went off into the Army
WITH not SO muCu AS q ldACWCH. 1AxOtHSt
and son sat there for hours before the
fire, gazing at the sparkling logs, saying
very little, but enjoying every minute in
tensely.
Is One of Many.
This is one little incident of many;
But the same thing happens over and
over again. At another table sat a pretty
young wife-a bride. no doubt-and before
her was her soldier husband. He would
introduce a few of his buddies. the ones
who had heard him tell about her. They
would realize how precious were the mo-
ments together, and the buddies tact
fully glided away to other tables to enjoy
their pie and chocolate or ice cream.
Wonderful place! Wonderful place"
said a big. prosperous looking man
who insisted on getting with his owl
son. He paid the little bill. and ther
set the waiter down. fumb!ed in hi!
pocket. pulled out his checkbook ant
wrote out a check for $50.
Don't you thank me-" he protested
The Y. w. C. A.. never asked me for
| Just to pay my bill here. 1t was wortl
$50 and more. to me to sit there by thu
! fire and talk to my boy"
| In one busy day 1000 persons wer
served with meals from the Y. w. c.
| counter. The handling of food wa
the least of the service. however. TO
| the folks from home would have bee
! glad enough to bring along food. TIL
| real service and charm iS in the plac
| itself 1t is the ideal rendezvous 70
| soldiers and folks from home.
There in the middle of the big rooh
| is a double barreled fireplace. Janu
faced. that opens up in both direction
and yawns for the biggest of the pin
logs. to be had in such abundance Of
! the reservation where thousands o
trees were blown out of the ground b.
dynamite to make parade grounds
| An advanced course of instruction i
boxing and the use of the bayonet
being given now by Capt. James Pat
rick O'Donovan of the British army
who is here as an instructor. His pu
pills are selected officers and non-com.
| who will return to their units to teac
the other officers and men What the
are learning now. Capt. O'Donova
has been through several of the impor
tant engagements of the war and bear
the scars of battle. He also enjoy
quite a reputation as q pugilist.
Col RAYMOND w Briggs field artil