Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-08
EVA, TWICE BADLY INJURED,
SPENDS NINE MONTHS IN HOSPITAL
Dinner With officers Inter-
rupted BY Comrades Who
Wished to Shake Her by
the Hand and Command
er Pins Medal on Her
Breast

crowded and there was only standing
room.
On the platform my attention was
attracted to poor woman with u
nursing baby in her arms. another tot
on the floor and a girl of about five
hanging on to her skirt. All the
woman's property was packed in a
single bag. The children were crying
for bread, the woman tried to calm
them. evidently in dread of something.
II touched my heart to watch this
little group, and ] offered some bread
to the children.
Then the woman Coniided in me the
cause for her fear. She had no money
and no ticket and expected to be put
off at the next station. She was the
wife of soldier from a village in Ger
man hands and was now bound for a
town 5000 versts away. where she had
some relatives. Something simply had
to be done for this woman. I made an
appeal to the soldiers that filled the
car, but they did not respond imme-
diately.
She is the wife of soldier. OF one
like you" | said. Suppose she were
the wife of one of you. For all YOU
know. the wives OF some of you here
may be floating about the country in
a similar state. Come. let us get off
at the next station. go to the station
master and request for her permission
to go to her destination
The soldiers softened and helped me
TO take the woman and her belongings
off the train at the next stop. We
went to the station master. who eN
planned that he could do nothing in
the matter and sent us to the mill
tary commandment. I went alont
with the woman. deserted by the sol.
diers, who had heard the train whistle
and did not wish to miss il.
The commandant repeated the words
Of the station master. He had no right
to provide her with military pass
he said.
NO right" | exclaimed. beside my.
self. She is the wife OF soldier ant
her husband is probably now. at this
very moment, going into battle 10 dc
fend the country, while YOU. safe ant
well-fed in the rear here, won't ever
take care of his wife and children. L
is an outrage. Look at the woman
She needs medical attention and heI
children are starved"
And who are YOU" sharply askeC
the commandment
-! viii snow you who | am" | an
swered, taking off my medals and eros
and showing him my certificate. :"
have shed enough blood to he entitled
to demand justice for the helpless wifi,
of a soldier
The commandant turned away an,
went out. There was nothing to b,
done but make collection. I mad,
my way into the first class waiting
room. which was filed with Officers
and well.to-do passengers. took my cal
in my hand and went the rounds. beg
ging for a poor soldiers wife. Whel
| got through there were eighty ruble
i'm the cap. With this money | wen
to the commandant again. turned /
over to him with a -yequest that h,
provide accommodations for tn
woman and her children. who dd no
know how to express her gratitud
10 me.
The next train pulled in. | neve
before saw one so packed. Their
could be no thought of getting insid
4 car. The only space available wa
on the top Of a coach. There wer
plenty OF passengers even there. Wit
the aid of some soldiers | climbed t,
the top. where | spent two days an,
two nights. 1t was impossible to ge
off at every station to take walk
Even for the tea we had to send ennis
saries. and our food consisted of tha
and bread.
Accidents were not uncommon. On
the very roof on which | Travelled
man fell asleep and rolled off. bein;
killed instantly. | almost suffered
similar fate, escaping by hair
breadth. I began to doze and drifte,
20 the edge. and had not sold