The Redwood gazette., 1918-04-24
THE BEST JOB
IN THE WORLD
Continued from page 81

Continued from page 81
roll of music to give US taste of
the real thing. It may be piano, or
it may be violin, but one is always
sure of good performance, for the
musicians of the higher rank are add
ing their share to the evenings en-
joyment.
Let me write a word about the
officers. I have used the word pri-
vate SO often that you might think
my boys were all privates. This is
not so. Officers and non-commissioned
officers are included in the list. My
altar boys vary from captain to pri-
Yates. I have not had a colonel or
a general yet; but l feel confident
that if one were present and altar
boys were scarce, he would step up
and do his best. Wonders are tax
ing place. There may seem to be a
contradiction in terms, but democracy
appears to have taken hold of the
army, at least of this camp. The
pride that the officers take in their
wonderful boys" is equalled only by
the assurance from every private
that his Commanding officer is the
finest officer in the whole regiment" "
While there is, of course, strict dis
cipline, a mutual respect between of
tween officer and private is every
where observable. The long looked
for democracy in the army has ar
rived.
The greatest work I have to do,
and the one that brings it's greatest
reward, is, of course, with the sick.
When I arrived at the camp, that
plague Of military life, spiral men
ingitis, was rampant. Many were
sick. Some had already gone the long
journey. And others were rapidly
approaching the end of things for
them here. After consultation with
the other chaplains and the parish
priest-a fearless man who had been
doing all this dangerous work un-
aided undertook the work at the
base hospital. Never will l forget
my first night. The doctors, Red
Cross nurses and orderlies were work
ing tenderly, quietly and tirelessly
to alleviate the suffering Of the pa
tients. Indeed, ! was welcome ad-
dition to this hard working staff of
men and women. But it could not
equal the prayerful welcome that
came from the very souls of those
sick boys, so far away from home
and kin.
wish all my readers could take a
trip with me through the hospital
and see what our Government is do
ing for our sick boys. And those
skilled physicians at their endless
task are my "boys" too. What a
welcome they give me. I never know
what religion doctor profe sses by
the manner of his welcome, for it is
always a hearty one: "Welcome, chap
lain; mighty glad to see you," they
will say with all cordiality, or Gath
er, you will find one of the boys IN
such or such bed not feeling very
WE'LL" or some other such a kindly
or cooperative greeting.
l call upon every one of the pa
tients and use by best efforts to con-
sole and cheer them ALL Need I tell
you that | have substantial proofs
that my visits are fully appreciated :?
There are several colored soldiers
who are convalescing from spinal
meningitis in one ward. l visit them
daily, spending from twenty min
utes to half an hour with each. Their
spokesman minister, made a little
speech the other day, thanking me
for my attention to them. The rest
all joined in with, eve will never
forget your kindness to us as long
as we live" I pity the man who
will SANDER a priest of our church
in the presence of that group. Gra-