The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-02-21
WASHINGTON NEWS -
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WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. sl.-
The returning wounded soldiers are
Bringing toe war that is over home TO
ug now, and that which seemed so
far. far away when twas going on is
q sad thing that is very, very near
now. On the streets OF the Nations
Capital boys or crutches and canes
are seen hphbling along Ii little
groups. tier faces happier than those
who look upon them as they pass with
touched hearts, checked threats and
fearful eyes. Many others. not able
70 walk, rush BY in automobiles driven
TO the hospitals by their owners to
take the brave youngsters out for q
spin. Enter any theatre, afternoon or
night, Won see clutches stacked
against the wall. Here and there in
the seats will appear q head swathed
In white linen bandages. But boys
with leg or an arm off, sometimes q
boy with both an arm and q leg miss.
i4g, and rotest yet q boy with both
legs shot away. They carried him into
the theatre and sat him upon a big
cushion. His legs were off very close
to the torgo, so close as to suggest
that he might have been born so. II
ts hardly halievable that one could
have both legs amputated so close to
his body and survive. But this boy
did. He's probably about 90 years Of
age, but looks younger. His cheeks
are rudy, his hair Is. iair and his
eyes blue. The audience rose and
cheered him. and brawpy too ser.
gea4t lifted him up and he waved and
smiled. That was the chokiast cheer
lever heard. More like a heartbreak.
Ing sob twas. The memory Of il. Of
that boy. will never be forgotten. Il
y TO be hoped that Uncle Sam won't
sfoFyet him. Nor any 81 the Others Who y
We're crippled In mind and body when
they offered their young and pronois.
Ing livss upon their country's altar.
IAe war Is no longer 5000 miles ala.
tInt.. It's been sent back over seas 10
US.
The people Of the Nations canital
are kind and thoughtful in the treat.
nent Of the wounded and crippled sol,
dters, the sick and the unhappy VIC
TINS OF shell shock and the ,hellish
fumes Of gases. The theatres are ali
epen TO them. autos are sent to take
them to and fro. All sorts Of auause.
ments and entertainments are gotten
up. They have plenty, Of company at
the. ;hespitels. Everything is being
qeAe TO cheer them. and classes are
held TO teacn them something to make
themsspseiu. and selt.sup porting IN
we, no matter how badly they are
crippled, aor what the government
nay Do Tor them in the way Of! ben,
sleAs to help to make their lie e. Ser.
WHAT these boys-they are nothing but
Sboysr-doait want Is charity and a
Z maudlip sympathy. Gust don't men.
ton " goes best With them ana the
Z Pretty girls and motherly matronsi who
are heimost popular with the soldiers
are those who just pal with them and
;;tFest them as Il nothing much tragi.
sally had happened 70 them over
there. The private citizen and citizen.
ness ofAthe Capital are doing their full
Spart Of these boys. as those residing
ansthe. Vicinity Of the many other hos.
gl,ttalss catered about the country are
no doubt dong II the government viii
s talEnl in ana do its PARTLY these boys
as we'll and as sehsibly, 1t will. do
much TO ease up a situation that, ii
course, cancot be completely restored.
II syeu still believe In statistics as
IEonly too freely mouthed out BY the
lyoMble Secretary Of War ESQ very
many appear to be incredulous 81
stRaml there were 10000 soldiers boys
let an arm. or leg In France, and no
were totally bereft OF the ability to
longer see the destruction aud dis.
fItFess about them and the loved ones
aty home that they left behind when
they sailed over. THERE'S q suspicious
dispFEity. Il seems to me, in those