The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1919-02-22
IN FRANCE
sy FRANCES .. LlNskY.
Copyright. 1913. by the Mcclure Newspa.
per syndicate.)

Jean was knitting sweaters Tor inc
soldiers.
Everyone must do her blt," abe said
to her admiring family, as jacket after
Jacket was neatly folded and sent OF to
the local headquarters to be shipped
to the boys ut the front"
On the particular day In question,
Jean decided to 60 into the pine grove
with her knitting.
at will be cooler there" thought
she. ''and I'll call for Grace on my way.
She'll probably be glad to come with
me-"
A little later the two girls were COM
fortably seated in the pine grove, each
busy with her work.
'Grace, I've an idea," said Jean.
"Not really" said Grace.
ayes. real one" replied Jean. calm
"And this is 1t. Haven't you ever
heard Of farmers who write their
names on eggs when they pack them
to ship to the city2"
.Why. yes" said Grace, II have, but
I don't see what that has to do with
knitting sweaters for the soldiers"
"Well," said Jean, aid like to put a
note inside one of the sweaters and
send 1t to some poor fellow over
there
"Why, Jean Wood. ! think that's
great" exclaimed Grace. getting into
the spirit Of the thing at once. land I'll
give you my Luck Piece to put In the
letter. I've often heard that lucky
piece has stopped a bullet"
So Jeans needles flashed back and
forth and dead silence reigned In the
pine grove until the sweater was I'm
ished.
"Now for the letter." said Jean and
with the stump Of an old tyee for her
writing table. she wrote:
II hope this sweater will keep you
warm, and may the lucky piece bring
good luck to 'someone-somewhere in
France" And down in the corner she
signed her name and address.
Some two months later, as the Wood
family sat at breakfast, the postman
came with the mail.
"Hello," said Mr.. Wood, as he CLAN.
ced over the pile which the letter car
rier had handed him. there's q very
official letter for JEAN" and he held
up a blue envelope with censored"
stamped across It's face. .Its from
France. too" he said.
maybe Jeans got a Teller in the
trenches" remarked Bobby, to no one
In particular.
Somewhere In France" It was
headed:
"Dear Jean Wood "A very lone
some soldier boy is Just one great
big Thank You Ma'am' to you for
the sweater. the letter and the
lucky piece. II you would only
write me once in a while. tell
you I'd appreciate It. It would
seem like shaking hands with
someone from back home
'I'm sending you souvenir In
exchange for the luck piece. It
Isn't much, but made 1t while
was In the hospital here with bad
knee-so hope you'll accept It
with my compliments.
II was afraid 1t might get smash
ed II mailed 1t, SO gave 1t to my
brother to take to you-he's been
here on duty with the university
medical unit, but he's gone home
on furlough. You'll see him soon.
"Gratefully, Max Norton"
Jean read the letter and re-read II,
and then-went straight down stairs
and told the whole story to her father.
swell. little girl" said he when she
had finished. II don't know as 1t was a
,,o.., x,,ia1 <hto1 IN debut TN ~e, THE
doctor man when he comes and until
he does there's nothing to worry
about" So pinchlng her cheek, he babe
her run along and tell Grace all about
It," which she very promptly did.
He came, that very evening" pleas
ant-voiced, very much tanned young
man, looking every Inch soldier In
his well-ftting uniform. and introduce
ing himself as DIR. Robert Norton. he
explained his errand to Mr.. Wood, and
asked for Jean.
Jean came forward, looking 80 sweet
and g1rlish In her embarrassment. that
az they shook hands, his lips said: II
am pleased to meet you." but his eyes
were far more eloquent
II want to thank you for my brother,
Miss JEAN" said Doctor Norton, "and
to give you this"
"This", proved to be bird cage very
cleverly made Of thin sticks Of wood
carefully set together.
"Oh. how lovely" exclaimed Jean.
II shall hang 1t on tree down In the
pine grove as reminder-Of-"My
Great Adventure" and. feeling her Wis.
itor's eyes upon her. she looked up and
straight into them and smiled-and
they were friends.
Months later. when young Doctor
Norton sailed back to France to "com-
plete his bit." he. too. carried Lucky
Piece" in his pocket. A key 1t was
q very tiny key that Jean had given
him.
'The key to my heart" she told him
- M had III rSi