The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1920-12-04
WHAT THE ARMLSTICE MEANT
TO JACK ELLIOTT
(By Susie Dale)

AS boy, no enc expected Jack to-
be brave, strong man. He was truly
a mothers, boy" and people 'Text
pected him always to be so.
But when America declared war in
I1917, Jack surprised every one in
Gainesville by being the first to en-
list and wear s:uhiform.
"Here comes the train, mother,
and have only five minutes more
to be with YOU but don't worry for
ri soon be back home and with you
all again., said Jack on the day of
his departure. ... <.... =
Poor Mrs. Elliot could hardly keep
back the flood of tears that she felt
swelling up in, heiieheart. But she
had fully determined not to send her
son of with the memory Of sad de-
parture on his mind. so she ,shiled
bravely and looked as happy as she
possibly could. Jacks father and
little Claire. stood side by side, and
anyone could easily see the JOY and
pride shining from the fathers eyes
rs he thought that he had given his
boso t6ahght for UacleaSam.
The long, black train drew up at
the station. There was q shower of
greetings and farewells as strangers
met and departed. But where was
Jack? The family turned to look for
him and there he was standing near a
big column, bidding farewell to a
little blonde girl in blue. Would they
never meet again, or would he come
back home and look again into Macs
clear blue eyes? !!
The whistle blew, Jack turned and
ran to the spot where his family
stood. He took his fathers hand, and
pressed it warmly. There was a quick
exchange of chances. He stopped and
kissed his mother and little sister,
then turned and jumped aboard the
last coach of the moving train.
Six months later, in little Red
Cross hospital in Nothern France,
a PROSTATE form lay on a narrow
white tcoE' The dcctef shook his head,
which meant that, he had given UP
all hope. 1t had been almost week
since the ambulance had brought this
boy from the. 'front.' He had almost
been torn to pieces by the fire of
German guns thrown on him, when
he crawled out of the trenches, to
look for his wounded comfade.
For two hours the trained nurse
at by his cot and at the end when
Jack, for it was our hero, opened his
eyes and said something about his
dear mother and, Mae, she quickly
sent the glad"'news to his doctor
From that time on there was rapid
recovery, and, in two months time, he
was again in the trenches.
One morning in Nov. 1918 small
crowd of boys were sitting on their
packs reading over and over again
the letters received from home and
talking eagerly of the attack to be
made upon the enemy that night, wher
a cry of joy arose from some boys
farther down the line:' Soon they
heard the cause of the excitement
The Armistice was, signed!
They very soon had orders to
board the vessel that would take them
home. The boys knew that at that
very moment the folks at home were
celebrating this day by blowing
whistles; tying tin cans and bells on
cars, and in many other ways.
As the big steamer steamed up al
Its dock in New York, Jack looked
over the rail and there on the wharf
stood mother and dad. And who wal
that little girl with blue eyes standing
close to mother looking up at him?
Why, Mae, of course.
Very soon afterwards they were
married and returned TO Gainesville
It'd d little bungalow waiting there fol
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