The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-05-12

mentioned occurred at Fit Benjamin
Harrison The author residing at sol
". Drive, Woodruff Place. is prOmin-
eut in work for ex-service men and
women
BY CLAIRE PALMER THURSTON
She was a fraiI, delicate, little
thing. with dark blue circles about
her sweet hazel eyes, telling of
agonizing times and sleepless nights;
and upon her arm, her left one, she
wore a golden star, and she belonged
TO a little band Of women who called
themselves war mothers, and whose
duty it was to go about cheering the
hearts of the boys who were foru-
nae to escape from the very jaws of
death, and be brought back to this
country, Gods country, as they called
ii.
She was brave to the very core, for
was she not trying to cheer other
mothers boys, when her own was
lying in Flanders fields2 No one
but God knew just how hard it was
sometimes. Perhaps. one Of the
mothers, who had attended a meeting
and sat beside her, had just an ink
ling; for she had heard a CASTING,
almost choking sound. one afternoon.
when a beautiful singer had sung of
the boys they had sent across. some
of them to die.
Comforting Impossible
The other mother sat still as
mouse. and did not attempt to com
fort, her, how could she? The only
thing she could do. was to let every
one think she was Just as brave as
she intended to be-
Oh God! Would she ever forget
the day she had received the official
report. after many conflicting ones?
II had come IN the shape Of a letter
from the chaplain. who had spoken
a few words above her darling. only
boy. when he was laid to rest, after
he had succumbed to the fatal wounds
he had received at Chateau ThierI-v
The fatal wounds, which had worn
his poor, tired. brave body com
pletely out, and he could struggle
no more.
She had shed no tears. but she
had sat by the window for hours
never stirring. But there had come
a moment. when she reused herself
ard glanced at the clock, it was near
supper time.
Breaking News to Father .
How could she ever tell her boy
father? She felt that she could not
do #, Mechanically, she arose anu
went about her duty of preparing
supper for her tired husband. She
had crushed the letter in her pocket.
and occasionally her fingers would
slip into the pocket and she would
finger the letter. absent -mindedly.
When supper was on the table she
fell Imply into her chair, as her hus.
band, her boys father. came in the
door. But she was almost cheerful.
as he bent and touched her lips with
his own
She grew cold and kept her hand
on the letter. After he had washed
and sat down to their simple meal he
bent his head reverently, for the little
prayer he always made for God to
bless the food they were about TO
partake OF; and asked Him to bring
their boy home safely. She sat brave
ly at her post, while her husband
filled her plate. but did not notice that
the food went untouched
After he had eaten and gone into
the living room she could stand it
no longer, and going quietly to his
side. she slipped her cold hand into
his firm, strong one and left the let
ter in his palm. He glanced down
and when he saw the triangle>in the
corner and no stamp. he quickly low
cred his head, and as he caught a
glimpse Of the strange handwriting
his face blanched and he sank into
the chair she placed-for him.
With stiffening fingers he drew the
letter forth and read. the all-toofew
words written there. Silently he arose
and took the trembling form in his
arms; henceforth they must be all in
all TO each other, for their boy-was
dead,
Hospital Visited
It was Mothers day, an the little
band of mothers were to- visit the