Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-22
LETTERS OF PATRIOTIC POLLY, WAR WORKER
almost too strong a one.

almost too strong one.
When l went inside the museum I
shut out the market altogether. That
building is much too pretty to work
in. Think of climbing marble stairs
every morning on ones way to earn
ing ones daily bread! Only 1 don't
care to think of it as earning bread,
but as giving it, you know. Work.
ing so that it can be given to the
soldiers. Or, as in my case, to the
soldiers allottees.
had to go through long rigma-
role in which I told my whole family
history to a bored creature who is
only a clerk like myself. Then we
hunted all over the building for the
time clerk and told her that I was
present and accounted for, so that
my pay could begin, I ended up at
the little round auditorium ready for
work.
Dad, when l am old and gray-haired !
and my grandchildren cluster around
my knee and beg for a story one Of
the favorites is going to be entitled
"A Human Curiosity in the New
National Museum" That's Polly. Yet
l honestly wouldn't take a pretty for
being here. because it impresses ON
you all the time that you are doing
something very important, or you"
wouldn't be where you are. When.
the bureau of war risk insurance hrst
began. so my guide said. it was over
the Center, market. Then it moved
to three little rooms in the museum..'
In those days it had about $50 en-
ployes. But it kept getting larger
as more men enlisted and made out
allotments until it spread out all over :
the first floor. The original exhibits
were pushed back. little walls built /"
around them and tables and desks"
were brought in. Finally the atmos'
phere of it resembled an Office more
than a museum. At this time. with I
its thousands of employees, II is using
the second floor, and the building" as Il
a museum is closed to the public. ''''
The new girls are taken to the
aforesaid auditorium. Its rows of
seats have been removed and little :
tables put on the levels in their
places SO that you have to be careful
or you will pull your chair over too
far and go topping down. Up on the
highest, level sits woman with theai'
sweetest and most patient smile r..
ever saw. She directs the girls. Her
position IL worse than that of being :
a kindergart teacher. because ak .
day she has before her the blanket
faces to look at aud the most be-
wildered questions continually being
propounded to her.
trotted around most of the day }
after girl who was looking for
something but | never did catch on :
what it was. We went to dead fiIe.r
and live files and suspended files. and
| copied down figures. Tonight, dad.'
! am convinced that II stupidity wiz
make me lose my place it will beipnlv'
question of the length of time IL
takes the. Treasury Department T..
find out how stupid | am before an, !
sent home. Tomorrow I am to report"'
upstairs. and maybe to be sent to the =
war risk school. | don't know whether.
it's a good or bad sign. If IL gets t'.'.
be too strenuous for me I suppose ~
can send out Il few s. ~. s. signals.
your way can't I"
No. | WIN not do that. I have como
up here to do what can. and ! re-
fuse to be a deserter. IT copying down
figures gets to be too monot onous for
me can compare it with all thr
drilling that Jack is doing or tn ~
work on the rife range that means
Bob will be made good marksmau
some day.
Attention. Right. about. face! There.
Can't you see Soldier Polly gettin:
in step again?
Dad. while you were sitting down IT.
noon today In the dining room facin':
IA good old porterhouse steak and a.
fresh fruit. salad and smiling" u-
fragrance Of the honeysuckles Aurt
Alice planted beneath the window,
know you were thinking OF me ami -
Wondering what was doing. - III
,Continued on Tenth Pageo