Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1919-05-01
April I'd 1910

deaux, where we have come with our
show, "The Gloom DiSpellerS," to give
what entertainment we can to the men
who are in the big hospitals located
here. We have already been here
three days, and have put on a show
every night, and We sure have made
hit with the soldiers who are sta
toned here. In the afternoons we go
around to the various wards and do
what we can to entertain the men who
are unable TO get out of the wards,
and that is perhaps the best part of be-
ing here, for it is certainly very great
pleasure to bring little sunshine to
the men who have been wounded and
can't get out Of their beds or the mar
row confines of their wards.
Our show was such success on the
Y. NJ. c. A. circuits that We got de-
tached from our organizations and are
now booked under the army entertalE-
ment bureau. Monday we came TO
this hospital area for stay of ten days.
After that we can book further en-
gagementS under the army if there are
no indications that we are going TO get
home-and from the present outlook
there are not very many signs that we
will get away very soon.
The camp here is very much like all
American camps, except that the bar
racks are of better quality and foored,
and We are living in one of the regular
wards and have the regulation single
beds with mattresses. We are very
comfortable and could hope for moth
ing better in the army. We have been
showing in Red Cross hutS, and since
this is my first experience with the
Red Cross | think it will be interesting
to tell you about it. When we got to
Beau Desert Monday, they told us that
we were TO show in a certain Red Cross
hut that night, so several of us walked
over and proceeded to look over the
field. The building was similar to the
"Y" huts, but when we got on the in
side we knew at once that there was
big difference. The walls and ceiling
were painted and the floor was oiled,
and everywhere were the evidences
that real American women had been at
work to make the place as home-like as
possible. On one side was big fire.
place with great logs blazing and
cracking and shedding warmth and
comfort on all sides. At one end was a
good-sized stage, and since that was
what we were interested in, we gave it
a good examination. The man who was
stage-manager was an old theatrical
man from the States, and he had as nice
a place as have ever seen. There was
fine piano and things seemed favorable
for good show and we sure did put it
over that night, although | will admit
We were all just bit nervous, for this
was a different audience from any
we had ever played to before. There
were many wounded soldiers, more or
less along the road to recovery, a lot OF
officers, and also a great many Red
Cross nurses, and since every soldier
show in the army at one time or anoth-
er hits the hospital areas, we knew that
We were up against mighty stiff compe-
tition, and as a result we were little
scared. But after several numbers and
a generous amount of applause we felt
that we were getting away pretty we'll,
so we went to the real work of enter
tanning the fellows.
After the show the ladies in charge
Of the hut gave us hot chocolate and
cakes, and we sure had good time.
1t was certainly treat to be able to
talk to American women and in Eng
lish, for | am so used to doing mental
gymnastics when trying to talk to the
French that it was hard TO realize that
they were really American, and sure
ly enjoyed talking to them. There are
a great many nurses here, and it makes
a fellow homeSick to be reminded that
after all America is really still in exist
ence and that may be some time or
other we may get back there, even
though we have been over here so long
that home and America seem almost
like a dream.
Yesterday morning went down to
the Red Cross hut with our pianist and
was practicing some of my songs, when
the lady in charge asked me if | would
sing for the nurses some afternoon at
the recreation hour, and since | did not
realize how scared might get in front
of a bunch of American women, | &C
cepted. Ever since | have been tremb-
ling in my shoes, and | wonder what
ever made me say that | would sing.
The event will probably come off to-
morrow afternoon, and | wish | was a
thousand miles away from here, for
that is going to take more nerve than |
possess and tremble for the result.
Wednesday night we showed at the
aviation field. The men in that dis
trict were sure we'll entertained last
night. At six-thirty there was band
concert, at seven-thirty we put on our
show, and at nine-thirty there was a
hve-reel movie show which lasted until
eleven o'clock. We got there in time
for the concert and stayed to see the
movie, and when We got back to our
quarters it was we'll on to midnight.
This is certainly pleasant experience
we are having here, and the best part
of il is that We are entertaining the
men who really won the war for us.
There are many, many men here who
were wounded at the front and have
not yet recovered sufficiently to return
to America. They are the most cheer
full bunch you ever saw, and from their
faces you would never guess that they
might be minus a leg or an arm or
crippled in some other manner, for they
are as happy and contented as they can
be. They all with one accord are ask
ing. "When do We go home pas
also are we, for We have been here
eight weeks now and there is no sign of
relief. While we are waiting, though,
am more than pleased to get around
in the various camps, and the way We
are doing it is giving us all chance
to see all of this country, which is cer-
tainly beautiful.
Spring is just about here, and the
trees are budding and the harder flow
ers are already blooming, and before
many weeks spring will be well ad
vanced. have often wondered since
have been over here where in the
world the French got all the red and
white wine that is consumed, not only
by the French, but by the Americans,
too. But since have been travelling
around in trucks over this part OF
France | am no longer wondering
where the wine comes from, but
where do thew nut all that thew make