Evening star., 1919-03-08
THE COMFORT HOUSE.
Red Cross Branch. Walter Reed Hospital,
Washington, D. c,
By MRS. DAVID BIsPHAM.

Washington, D. c,
By MRS. DAVID BIsPHAM.
entered by an easy swing door
And saw some fifty sturdy lads or more
sitting in lazy attitudes at ease
With all the world (or SO it seemed). "Are
1 Thought, .'the ones I've come to heIp?" SO gay
They all were. whistling. laughing. singing
Looked at htst glance much like other boys
Who dl place with careless. happy noise.
That held back. for they could not need me,
These happy chaps las they first seemed to bel,
Me with my mourning and my breaking heart.
But when mine eyes grew 'customed to the
light
(God ali my life I'll not forget the sight
That met themI. 10. not among them there
But showed the signs Of wars grim wear and
tear.
Each one had paid his debt of love of land
And liberty in that brave, cheerful band.
q had paid, too, for had given my son.D
But they, young, whose lives were scarce
begun,
Had lost. each one. leg. or arm. or hand.
something precious in their coming lives,
Something they needed for their sweet young
wiyes'
Or sisters, fathers. mothers comfort and
How could they work for them SO handicapped !
How could they take their places when War
had snapped
Their bodies OF essentials. All, but wait
For as stood all trembling at this gate
| deeper locked into their eyes and saw
courage that was greater far than mine
Unconscious courage. that was half divine;
Superb acceptance of each coming days
StupendoH burden-youth's brave waysl
The merry shifting of the heavy load
Onto the other shoulder, that the road
OF life, TO those they love- seem not too steep.
They strive the gentle balance thus to keep;
When hearts and bodies fail and droop viii,
pain
Youths magic hope within them springs again.
And there they sat. flling my heart with joy;
did not see single gloomy boy.
Was there despair any youthful face
OF those ] in that brave happy place?
All, no, indeedl Not could l surprise.
SO well in hand they were cen my keen eyes,
Washed clear to note pains sign by each sad
That / had shed through this unhappy year,
Saw not feeting glimpse of bitterness.
SO sweet they kept tile wounds of their dis
These splendid soldiers who had run to serve
Their country. full Of courage, fire and nerve.
Around among them there I seemed 10 see
host invisible to ali save me.
Watching and qua arding-solder saints they are.
Shining like rays from some bright, friendly
The glorious ones who have gone on before
Watching with pride these whom they love the
more,
For their gay camoufage Of carelessness.
Who under laughter hide lifes deep distress.
Their "buddies" who must carry to the end
Their mutiiated bodies, yet pretend
With so sublime and masterfuI q charm
That they don't mind lest they do some
harm,
Some loved one who can scarce restrain her
grief,
Yet from their courage gathers great relief.
Oh world of men and women whole and sound.
Go there and see them. Walk this holy ground,
For such great courage makes it holy there
And twonld be well for al in grief's despair
To go and learn from them how to be gay
And live, as day succeeds each empty day,
As these boys, wounded crippled, waiting live,
That others happier are for what they give.
Well. / went out TO help them if could
And they 1t was who brought to me such good,
Brave simple courtesy in pain, that l
Have taken up my life again to try
And mold 1t nearer to their perfect plan,
And braver live, like them, for God and man.
washinstons birthday anniversary. 1918.