The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1922-08-17

near here. And IL Won want them to
get well, keep them near home.
Now promise az that you won't
try to get this place moved on account
Of the. fire. he whispered earnestly.
] nodded my head for reply. mot that
it would affect me personally" he
added hastily, as Ii fearing that I
thought he might be asking something
move me, you know. They didn't even
try it last night when the fire was all
around here" he continued, but
checked himself suddenly. He realized
that this didn't quite fit with his
former attitude that he hadn't been in
any danger.
well anyway, I'd stay here no
matter what happened. I have lots of
company, but TIM unusual" It was
becoming more of an effort for him
to talk, and Mackalls' mind was rae
ing ahead of his hating whispers. He
hesitated, and the slight pause, with
accompanying, smile showed me he
meant me to understand that he had
more visitors than the average, and
not that he considered himself or his
case unusual" Modesty, courage ard
patience showed itself in abundance.
But far beyond these shone the effort
to think of others and forget self
that mutilated, racked body above
which the spirit of the man could
rise, but which the incessant pain
would not let him forget.
He took a fresh grip on himself. IT
have plenty of company, and they're
always doing something for me be-
sid es," he said, indicating with a
backward roll of the eyes the attend
ants busy at the other end of the
room.
1t was plain that the interview had
tired him. I got up and clasped his
hand carefully, fearing to crush his
slender fingers against the large seal
ring which he kept on with difficulty.
"Now listen, buddy" he whispered as
his grip frightened, "you've stuck by.
US, keep it up. Have the American
Legion keep on plugging to keep the
hospitals near the boys homes. That's
whatTl make them pick up faster than
anything else"
I gave a final squeeze to his hand,
and walked hastily toward the door.
AS I reached it, I turned back,
fully avoiding the horrible bath tub.
He was still lying face down and his
head again dropped to the pillow upon
which his chin rested. He attempted
to wave his dead cigarette to me in
token of farewell, but only succeeded
in twitching it slightly in his ENACT
ated fingers.
"Take me back the shortest route"
| told the doctor, II want to catch the
train for Washington"
And so I left Mackall lying upon his
face, but soon to be placed in that
unspeakable bath tub-from which he
would be lifted the next morning, to
spend the day lying Oh his face again.
And SO on in the endless circle, while
you and I and others enjoy health and
strength and freedom from pain.
So this was the famous bath tub
case. But how little the words mean
to one who has not seen it, and per-
ceived the spirit of the man who, In
constant agony, gave his thoughts
and efforts to help the helpless "bud-
dies"
The American people are a versa
tile and volatile nation, with military
leaders at times who have shown an
aptitude for phrasemaking which
has immortalized their names. Two of
these already stand out, one justly IA
nous, the other waiting the judgment
of history.
The first is a byword, as one great
general once said, speaking of war
and it's effects, "War is He'll"
To this celebrated enrichment of
u language may now be added a
more recent commentary on war. Not
uttered in the heat of battle it is true,
but nevertheless Illuminating in the
light it throws upon wars aftermath,
although penned in the seclusion of
the studio.
While this second golden phrase
zane from the pen of a general of
lesser accomplishments, it's author
nevertheless, because of the high po-
sition he holds, now looms greater
upon the horizon of Americas dis
abled val heroes, than his more il
lustrious, if less important, brother