Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1919-04-25
good it is to just talk to an American
HOmesick and Anxious.

HOmesick and Anxious.
so it went all day long. At most
stopping places we found some of our
own boys and the same scene VISA
repeated again and again. HoMesick
they are and longing for the word
that will turn their faces towards the
West, and patient and earnest and
gallant, though not understanding the
delay. And all day looked for
Washington boys, but did not locate
any.
I'm the early evening We reached
LIE Mons and our train was side
tracked for an indefinite stop. There
were many soldiers coming and 60
ing in somewhat orderly precision
from one train to another. Our
extraordinarily long train first at
tracted attention, but it was not many
seconds before they were crowding
about the windows and answering our
call. asking the same breathless ques-
tons, When did you leave the United
States?' What's the news from
homer Why are we not returning?'
was Watching for something to in
dictate our own boys when l saw a
group of about SO soldiers come
marching down the platform from a
more distant train-two by two they
came, heads up, shoulders back, step
ping in time. and when they got near
my window / saw the evergreen insig-
mia on the left sleeve just below the
shoulder. and then ! knew had
found my own. ! forgot everything.
Boys From Home.
Why, that's the Ninety-first.' I
cried. I'm from the state of Wash
ington.' They stopped instantly
could see every man of them take a
deep, catching breath, and then in
stantly they broke in a wild rush to
my window. Both hands were
reached to them-and such a volley
of questions as came trembling,
breathlessly and anxiously. is Seat
tie all right?' 'How's Second avenues?
Why don't we get homer What's
the matter that we don't go?'
cheered them as best could, who
had mot been able to see my own son,
although within a few miles of where
he was stationed at Brest.
lone young fellow slyly asked,
What do you think 'of us. anyway,
over there?' And l felt them all
waiting for my answer. l told them
that Seattle and the state of Wash
ton we're getting ready for the biggest
day they had ever had when they well
coined home the Ninety-first; that
our papers were asking why they did
not come home; that our people were
their immediate return,
and such q cheer as went up. and
such a light as came to those boyish,
tired faces, and then followed ques-
ton asked by man standing a little
apart:
"'Are we going to be able to get
jobs when we get back? l have a
wife and two little kfddies, and my
business is, of course, wreck and
I'll have no money
"A dozen called the same question
and held my breath. as thought of
a letter reaching me at New York
from Seattle the dag before l sailed
that did not have a very good word
about this very matter. and the
silence that suddenly fell upon the
group told more than all the noise
had told Of how serious the question
was to those. splendid homesick boys,
and finally one lad called out:
"'Yes, that's what we all want to
know. Are there to be jobs for us
when we do get back? Are they 60
ing to look out for, us over there?
about me eager, strained
faces. tense and earnest and anxious.
And then I did the proudest thing of
my life-did the only thing l could
do, looking into those questioning,
brave, homesick faces of the Ninety
first, said:
Her Answer Is EYES"
Boys, know the public service
where l worked, is hold
ing the places open for its men; that
the big interests all are planning to
take every man back to his old posi-
ton And the rest Of u.s. called a
boyish voice: You see, I'm from the
of Washington. l won't
have money enough to go back to
school. Will there be job for man
like me?' With those boys looking
square at me, there was only one an
swer to be given: Boys. every man
in the Ninety-first is a hero. Do you
realize that? And there will be
job for every one of you when you
get homes
1.-THE fash of gladness that came to
those questioning eyes was worth it
all and as one voice. an exclamation
Of renewed faith and courage went
up. And then our train pulled out.
and as / leaned from the window to
wave good-by to them saw a tail
soldier swing off his hat and heard
him shout: What's the matter with
the state of Washington And almost
instantly SO hats were in the aid and
a deep-throated, joyous answer came
to me clear and confident: Washing
toms all right
rs it? Remember, these boys
faced death for us--only those who