The Westford Wardsman, September 13, 1919
Center. The Herbert Mills family are all quarantined with scarlet fever, three members of the family being sick with this disease.
There are thirty-four girls and thirty-three boys enrolled at the academy, making a school of sixty-seven pupils and about evenly divided.
We are told that the automobile number plates for 1920 are to be white with blue embossed figures. These are being made at Charlestown state prison by convict labor.
Rev. William C. Brown, while in town on Sunday, was entertained at the home of his cousin, Mrs. L. W. Wheeler.
Miss Marion Moreland, a former teacher at Westford academy, has been in town recently, calling on old friends.
Mrs. Florence C. Cameron, of Somerville, has been spending a few days with her sister, Mrs. A. H. Sutherland.
The Arthur E. Days are having sickness in their household—Miss Edna Day with tonsillitis and mumps, and the younger girls, Marion and Viola, both have the mumps.
Mrs. M. A. Frisbee, of Somerville, a long-time friend of Mrs. H. M. Bartlett, is making a stay in town, boarding with Mrs. C. H. Bicknell.
The millinery class of the Tadmuck club, taught by Miss Frances Tomer of the Middlesex County Farm Bureau, held its first meeting of the four Tuesday afternoons in Library hall. The class of twelve, or which has reached the number of fourteen, were much interested in their first lesson, and the following lessons will be condensed into the time before September 20, when Miss Tomer’s connection with the farm bureau ends, she having taken another most desirable position.
Both churches reopened last Sunday after the vacation. At the Unitarian church the time of service was changed to four o’clock and Rev. William C. Brown, of Littleton, field secretary of the American Unitarian society, was the preacher. At the Congregational church, Rev. and Mrs. Brownsey, fresh from their vacation, greeted their people. Communion service was observed after the service, followed by Sunday school.
George F. White made a trip to Syracuse, N.Y., this week, where the state fair is in progress, and where some of his registered Ayrshire stock are among the exhibits.
Mr. Judd and family are moving from the Westford depot neighborhood into the house on Depot street recently bought by William R. Carver from Miss Mary Morin.
Mrs. Willard T. Millis has been seriously sick at her home this week.
It was an interested vestry full of people, almost sixty in all, who greeted John A. Taylor on Sunday evening at the Congregational church to hear his account of Y.M.C.A. work in France. He held the closest attention of his audience for over an hour, who could have listened longer to this big, live wire story of the great three-sided work of spiritual, mental and moral undertaken for our men in uniform. Mr. Taylor told his experiences with insight and individuality and finished with some account of the educational work of the organization after the signing of the armistice.
It will be one of the memorable events for a long time when our local contingent of state guard was called out Wednesday afternoon to go to Boston for duty in connection with the big police strike. The members were warned at drill Tuesday evening that this call might come and when on Wednesday afternoon the Unitarian church bell sounded the signal, three sonorous strokes repeated four times, there were lively times getting fifty men together—the men of the community and surroundings that represented the busy, capable workers. Capt. Robinson and his helpers got the members together and the start was made about 5:30 to Lowell and thence to Boston by train. The two school barges, Perley E. Wright’s truck and one large auto conveyed the company.
Largest Taxpayers. The following is a list of the largest taxpayers in town, over the sum of $50:
Abbot, A. J. | $142.70 |
Abbot, Alice M. | 371.10 |
Abbot, John C. | 325.85 |
Anderson, William E. | 69.68 |
Atwood, Misses | 57.35 |
Abbot Worsted Co., Forge Village | 9,525.69 |
Abbot Worsted Co., Graniteville | 3,421.51 |
Balch, Wayland F. | 67.57 |
Blaisdell, Alvin J. | 96.78 |
Blodgett, Wilfred G. | 51.30 |
Blodgett, C. A. & F. R. | 143.67 |
Boynton, Delia, heirs | 51.85 |
Buckshorn, Adeline M. | 67.32 |
Burbeck, Fred | 96.35 |
Burbeck, Adeline | 80.40 |
Burnham, Arthur H. | 128.47 |
Cadman, George H. | 170.40 |
Calvert, Mary E. | 73.10 |
Cameron, Julian A. | 70.85 |
Cameron, Lucy A. | 197.20 |
Cameron, Meta J. | 175.90 |
Carver, William R. | 220.49 |
Colburn, Charles D., heirs | 109.92 |
Conture, Charles | 66.94 |
Cuttin, Ralph T. | 51.00 |
Day, Arthur E. | 64.05 |
Day, Quincy W. | 74.68 |
Desjardin, Oliver | 56.93 |
Desmond, David | 122.48 |
Downs, Matthew F. | 86.87 |
Drew, Frank C. | 154.15 |
Downing, Almon E. | 55.43 |
Edwards, William C. | 87.60 |
Edwards, Louisa | 70.55 |
Emerson, E. C. | 85.63 |
Feeney, John | 65.32 |
Fisher, Alec | 177.78 |
Flagg, Elbert H. | 237.07 |
Fletcher Co., H. E. | 425.00 |
Fletcher, Mary E., heirs | 63.75 |
Fletcher, J. Herbert | 109.95 |
Fletcher, John M. | 89.04 |
Fletcher, Herbert E. | 555.22 |
Fletcher, Harry N. | 176.59 |
Fletcher, Sherman H. | 115.80 |
Fletcher, J. W. | 67.45 |
Gardell, August | 69.58 |
Gould, H. E. & E. H. | 157.70 |
Graves, William E. | 82.75 |
Greig, David L. | 179.42 |
Griffin, Charles M. | 52.91 |
Gumb, Marry [sic] M. | 84.88 |
Graniteville Foundry Co. | 173.40 |
Hamlin, Nathan, heirs | 68.17 |
Harrington, P. Henry | 79.35 |
Healey, Margaret | 52.70 |
Healey & Son, J. A. | 197.70 |
Healey, Elizabeth | 59.50 |
Hildreth, C. Willis | 59.55 |
Hildreth, H. V. | 104.68 |
Hildreth, Frank C. | 110.50 |
Hildreth, Ella F. | 391.62 |
Howard, Calvin L. | 78.16 |
Hunt, William J. | 75.61 |
Jackson, George O. | 66.43 |
Johnson, William W. | 61.50 |
Jordan, Laura P. | 62.90 |
Keyes, Henry O., heirs | 91.80 |
Kimball, George A. | 170.82 |
Kimball, James L. | 141.40 |
LeClerc, Joseph | 58.10 |
Loveless, Olive | 61.20 |
McCoy, Fred L. | 59.29 |
McDonald, Margaret | 189.41 |
McGregor, Mrs. George H. | 56.10 |
Murphy, Henry | 105.10 |
Nesmith, George W. | 63.05 |
Osgood, Houghton G. | 80.21 |
Palmer, Louis P. | 175.40 |
Polley, Amos B. | 53.42 |
Psarias, John D. | 94.28 |
Prescott, Harry B. | 54.70 |
Prescott, Richard D. | 59.63 |
Reed, Rachael | 238.00 |
Richardson, Alma M. | 76.50 |
Richards, Conrad | 77.23 |
Sargent, Joseph E. | 71.72 |
Sargent, Allan C. | 162.45 |
Sargent, James M. | 59.50 |
Sargent, Frederick G. | 72.35 |
Sargent’s Sons Corporation | 800.27 |
Seavey, Homer M. | 71.70 |
Sargent, C. G., trustees | 1,524.82 |
Shugrue, Rose | 76.84 |
Shupe, Perry E. | 50.45 |
Simpson, John T. | 96.88 |
Spalding & Prescott | 70.97 |
Spinner, John | 50.28 |
Splaine & Nutting | 70.55 |
Spalding, O. R. | 621.50 |
Sullivan, Timothy | 213.74 |
Sweetser, Judson F. | 191.54 |
Sweetser, Warren P. | 58.32 |
Taylor, William R. | 58.10 |
Taylor, Samuel L. | 54.37 |
Tuttle, Alfred W. | 82.07 |
Vose, Almon S. | 109.95 |
Walker, George A. | 148.42 |
Wall, Joseph | 64.47 |
Watson, Bessie D. | 299.20 |
Westford Water Co. | 188.70 |
Wetmore, V. C. B. | 177.17 |
Well [sic], Orion V., Estate | 85.00 |
Wheeler, L. W. | 85.75 |
Whitten, Winnifred | 54.28 |
White, George F. | 250.63 |
Wilson, T. Arthur E. | 133.22 |
Wright, Mrs. Mabel E. | 189.55 |
Worster, Israel S., heirs | 51.00 |
Wright, Bradley V. | 52.75 |
Wright, Hammett D. | 101.45 |
Wright, Charles H. | 108.35 |
Wright, Frank C. | 116..64 |
Wright & Fletcher | 55.67 |
Wright, Harwood L. | 59.30 |
Wright, William E. | 126.45 |
Wright, Sydney B. | 67.03 |
Wright, Perley E. | 96.53 |
Wright, Walter C. | 60.65 |
Non-residents | |
Avilla, Manuel | $62.48 |
Book, Minnie A. | 114.57 |
Brookside Worsted Mills | 1,444.15 |
Drew, George A. | 260.05 |
Elliott, Robert | 79.02 |
Elliott, Thomas H. | 60.35 |
Fletcher, J. Henry | 315.82 |
Hall Bros. | 90.10 |
Gage, Miss Martini | 739.59 |
Lawson, George L. | 68.00 |
Lowell Electric Light Co. | 340.00 |
Lowell & Fitchburg R. R. | 172.51 |
Marshall, Hilda | 74.23 |
Moffitt, Adeline | 73.70 |
Moore, George C. | 236.30 |
N.E.T.&T. Co. | 319.60 |
Stiles, Fred O. | 116.30 |
Parker, Charles W. | 260.48 |
Wright, Ella T. | 69.70 |
The board of assessors find the total tax levy for the year to be $43,772.07, divided as follows: Polls $616, personal estate $12,422.68, real estate $29,861.37, moth tax $873.02; rate $17 on a thousand.
About Town. Rev. Alfred R. Hussey, of All Souls church, Lowell, will conduct the services at the First Parish church during September and October at four o’clock.
Amos Polley, of the Prairie farm, has ears of field corn that measure thirteen inches. The Old Oaken Bucket farm that divides it by stone wall cannot produce any such length of ear, but it produced ears that ‘sat” on the stalk 5 ½ feet from the level of the ground.
Charles E. Crosby died at his home in Arlington last Sunday after a long and helpless illness. He was one of the leading market gardeners of the town, handed to him by the Crosby lineage. His father, Josiah Crosby, was the originator of the celebrated Crosby sweet corn. He was a frequent visitor in town at the Banisters, being a brother-in-law of Frank W. Banister. He was a remarkably genial and companionable individual to meet, as the writer rarely missed his friendship when in town. Without any flattery it can be said that he was an ideal husband and father, and it seems like an unreconcilable [sic] sadness and loss, to this in the prime of life, to separate from his youthful family. Besides his wife he leaves five children. The funeral was from his home on Tuesday.
Patriotic night was observed at the Grange on last week Thursday evening in honor of our returned heroes. A full and hand-shaking hospitality filled the hall with some space for more, but enough were present to make it a reception other than in mere formal name; 200 is more than formality. The program of entertainment, besides social chat, and personal utterances, started off with a piano solo by Mrs. Charles Blodgett and Miss Precious; song, Frank Charlton, Miss Agnes Charlton, accompanist; reading, John A. Taylor; song, John S. Greig; song, Mrs. Warren A Sherburne, of Tyngsboro; song, Norman B. Sherburne. Refreshments were served under the direction of Mrs. Herbert Kendall; it was a real ice cream enjoyment. Mrs. Eben Prescott was in charge of the entertainment. After this part of the reception festival was over dancing was enjoyed from ten to twelve o’clock to the sweet harmony of the Precious orchestra of Forge Village.
John A. Taylor has been at Harvard university this week, attending the sessions of the National Council of Phi Beta Kappa. This is the honorary society for excellence in scholarship and has chapters in eighty-nine American colleges and universities. Mr. Taylor was a delegate from the University of North Dakota.
Thomas O’Sullivan, who has bought the Hanscom farm on the Tadmuck road, is a veteran of the civil war, besides being a splendid man. For several years he has owned the John Hutchins farm in the extreme southeast part of the town, so extreme that the road don’t go any further. Whether he intends to work both farms we do not pretend to possess the information. He has several sons who are individually or collectively running a milk route in Chelmsford. The O’Sullivan family are a strong farm team. We are glad to know that Mr. Hanscom, who vacates, is to remain in town for he is enthusiastically interested in public betterment. The farm was owned by his son-in-law, Mr. Loveless, of Boston. They will return near to whence of their starting point.
Miss Luanna Decatur returned to her teaching in New Rochelle, N.Y., after being very entertaining company in the Stony Brook valley.
The board of registrars are scheduled to hold a meeting in the town hall on Saturday evening of this week from 7:30 to 9 o’clock. Don’t know about all this, at the time of writing the board of registrars were boarding the cars as members of the state guard to do police duty in Boston in place of the striking policemen. Is there any law to prevent the state guard from striking; if not and they choose to, who comes next? Our soldiers were not half paid for the risk involved; why did they not strike? Those who take oath to guard life and property should not desert their sworn duty.
Apple buyers are in town. Mr. Greenough, the road contractor of West Acton, has bought the orchard of Mrs. Samuel Naylor and Mrs. George Snow in West Chelmsford.
Dr. George Caldwell, of Scranton, Pa., was in town and West Chelmsford recently. His grandfather, Francis Caldwell, is well remembered by the older residents, living for many years at Whidden’s Corner, where August F. Whidden now lives.
Mr. and Mrs. George Wheeler, of Brockton, were at the Sunday evening meeting, being guests of the Snows of West Chelmsford. Mr. Wheeler was a scholar at Westford academy when Charles O. Whitman was principal [1868-1872]. Mr. Wheeler will perhaps be better remembered as the son of Ansil Wheeler, who for many years lived on what is now known as the Forest road, a little north of Nabnassett lake.
The farmers on Francis hill were represented at the Farm Bureau visit to the Marshall fruit farm in Fitchburg last week. Houghton G. Osgood and George O. Spalding were among those present. Mr. Osgood is one of the largest apple-growers in town, raising last year 1500 bushels on the ground by the assistance of the wind and the willingness of gravitation. If we have the figures right there were 4000 bushels that were picked before wind and gravitation got around to it. Mr. Osgood, as one of the largest apple-growers, has Mr. Spalding as his largest assistant.
The Abbot Worsted Company are improving the appearance of their Brookside mill by painting the trimmings of the brick mill.
Forge Village. A son [Joseph Gilbert Belling Bennett] was born recently [Sept. 9, 1919,] to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bennett.
Miss Alice Olgilvie, of Springfield, spent the weekend as the guest of Miss Eva M. Lord. Miss Olgilvie went to France with Miss Lord and returned with her.
John Kelley leaves Saturday on a ten-days’ vacation to visit friends in Long Island, N.Y.
The Misses Kathrine and Angenetta Caldwell, of Scranton, Pa., and Edward Winkler, of Boston, who spent the last three weeks as the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Augustus Whidden, of Whidden’s Corner, returned home this week. During their stay they were extensively entertained at the home of Mrs. Harriett E. Randall.
Miss Eva M. Lord, nurse, has made the following report for the month of August: During the month three new cases of scarlet fever were reported from one family and two cases were carried over from last month; quarantine was lifted from the last two cases and houses of same fumigated. One room in a house was fumigated where it was necessary to remove patients to secure better isolation. One case of mumps, two cases of chickenpox and two cases of German measles were also reported. Visits made to communicable diseases 45, nursing and instructive visits 24, prenatal visits 6, sanitary visits 4, observation visits 33, visits of a business and social nature 21; total, 133. Four children were taken to hospital to have tonsils and adenoids removed; two children to be vaccinated.
Miss Ethel Kimball, secretary at the State Normal school, Lowell, who has been spending the summer at Forge pond, is attending a convention at the normal school in Bridgewater.
Mrs. Nelson Prescott entertained members of the sewing circle at her home on last week Thursday afternoon.
A very enjoyable party was held recently in honor of the birthday anniversary of Miss Mary B. Raynes, among the campers at Forge pond. A progressive supper was served, the first two courses in the open-air dining room of Miss Litchfield’s camp, the next two at the camp of Mrs. Grace Stratton, and the remaining two courses at the camp of Mr. and Mrs. George Good.
Mrs. Zanolli and two children, of Cleveland, Ohio, who have been visiting Mr. and Mrs. Carl Lydia at the Parker farm, returned home on Tuesday.
Miss Louisa White and her sister, Mrs. Parker, also of the Parker farm, are visiting in Cleveland, Ohio.
Miss Priscilla Bennett has returned from an enjoyable visit spend as the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Ellsworth, of Providence, R.I.
Thomas Kelley has returned from a ten-days’ vacation spent at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Holt, of Long Island City, N.Y.
Field Day. The first annual field day given by the Abbot Worsted Company for their employees was held on the Abbot playground last Saturday afternoon. The U.S. Cartridge Company’s band marched from Union street to the grounds at 1:30, and upon arriving at the grounds played several pleasing selections. The large, well-kept grounds were an ideal place to hold the event and nearly 2000 people from the mills at Brookside, Graniteville, and Forge Village were present.
The first on the list of sports was a ball game between the married and single men, in which the latter won by the score of 11 to 8. At the conclusion the band marched to the further end of the field and Philip Greely, director of community singing, who had been secured through the courtesy of the War Camp Community Service, led the people in singing, accompanied by the band. This was a surprise to the people and was certainly enjoyed. A large force of girls were kept busy dispensing refreshments.
Tables had been prettily arranged with potted plants and flowers under the direction of Mrs. Alice Wells and she was ably assisted by the following committee: Misses Mary Delaney, Rebecca LeDuc, Annie Socha, Emily Hanson, Christina Prwerette [sic], Annie LeClerc, Eva Lunberg, Jessie McNaughton, Emma Ward, Mrs. Charles Dudevoir, Winnie Baun [sic], Helga Lawless, Ella Haberman, Mrs. William Healy and several others. So well did the young women arrange things that the large crowd was served quickly and no one kept waiting.
The following list of sports were run off under the direction of the sporting committee, with Albert R. Wall in charge, the committee winning credit for the manner in which the races were run off: 100-yard dash, open, George Glower 1st, Albert Reeves 2d; boys race, under 14 years, A. Blowey 1st, J. Sullivan 2d; half-mile race, open, Matthew Elliott 1st, T. McNiff 2d; sack race, A. Reeves 1st, J. Boyd 2d; novelty race, Reeves and Boudreau 1st; coat and hat race, James Mulligan 1st, A. Reeves 2d; three-legged race, A. Cameron and John Abbot 1st, R. Hartley and J. Kelley 2d; hop, step and jump, George Brullard 1st, J. McNiff 2d; running broad jump, George Boullard 1st, Earl Sullivan 2d; ladies’ race, Mary Dube 1st, Irene Hodgson 2d; little girls race, Annie Hunt 1st, Emma Goucher 2d; tug-of-war, Forge Village vs. Graniteville, won by Forge Village.
More singing was enjoyed after the races and three cheers and a “tiger” were given for the Abbot Worsted Co. The band then formed in line and played as they marched to the square, where they boarded the 6:30 train for Lowell.
It was one of the most enjoyable gatherings ever held here. Besides the employees were noticed several former employees from the nearby towns, which made it more of an old home day. Others present were Mr. and Mrs. Julian A. Cameron and family, Mr. and Mrs. John Abbot and son Robert, Mr. and Mrs. Abiel Abbot and Mrs. Gretchen Sargent.
The committee in charge comprised Edward T. Hanley, Arthur M. Whitely, Robert McCarthy, general; Elmer E. Nutting, George Gower, John Kavanaugh, Jr., Albert R. Wall, Matthew Elliott, Jr., Albert Reeves, Edward Defoe, Lester McLenna, sports; William C. Precious, Alfred Prinn, Alvin Nelson and John Edwards, music.
Graniteville. The field day given by the Abbot Worsted Company to their employees in the Forge Village, Graniteville and Brookside mills at Forge Village last Saturday was very largely attended and a fine time was enjoyed by all. The program consisted of a ball game, band concert and a fine list of sports. It was surely a gala day in every sense of the word.
A daughter [Mary Farnham] was recently born [Sept. 4, 1919,] to Mr. and Mrs. Ralph W. Farnham, formerly of North Westford, at their home in Lowell.
Mrs. W. J. Healy, with her son, Henry J. Healy, have recently returned from a very enjoyable visit spent with friends in New York city and other adjacent points.
Private Fred M. Stuart, who has been in a hospital in Washington, D.C., is now stopping at his home here on a thirty-days’ furlough.
The Ladies’ Aid society of the M.E. church met with Mrs. C. E. Eaton on Thursday afternoon.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Moss, of Wellesley Hills, have been recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Eaton.
The Abbot Worsted Co., through their agent, E. M. Abbot, have recently beautified their cottages on upper River street by having them freshly painted with a pleasing color that harmonizes with the surroundings in the Highland district. The grounds about the cottages, with the well-trimmed lawns, also adds greatly to the appearance of the street.
The members of Cameron circle, C. of F. of A., held their regular meeting on Tuesday evening with a good attendance.
Henry and Leo Healy have been on the sick list for a few days this week.
The members of the A. R. Choate hose company met at the fire house on Tuesday evening when business of a routine order was transacted.
P. Henry Harrington was a delegate in attendance at the supreme court convention of the Foresters of America that was held in Atlantic City this week.
The batters are up for a new garage that will be erected by F. Russell Furbush on Broadway, near the railroad bridge. The building will be of concrete construction and work on it will commence at once.
Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Richards and family have recently returned from a brief visit with friends in Danielson, Conn.
Ayer
District Court. Joseph Polaski of Graniteville was in court on Wednesday morning charged with larceny and was held for the grand jury. The property alleged to be stolen by Polaski belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Stanley of Graniteville. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley work in the mill in that place and during their absence their home was entered last week Friday. The intruder left the house in confusion and took with him a dozen each of silver teaspoons, tablespoons, knives and forks, two silk dresses, one pair of lady’s shoes, a gold ring, three pair of men’s shoes, a fur and a double barreled shotgun, all of which belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Stanley and a brother and sister who lived in the house. A little Italian girl testified that she saw somebody come out of the house, dressed in a skirt and with a shawl over their head. She said that the person had on men’s shoes and white stockings similar to Polaski’s. Polaski was later arrested in Lowell and denied that he had been in Graniteville at all that day. The court found that there was sufficient reason to hold him for the grand jury. The complaints were represented by Attorney John M. Maloney.
Sandwich Corner to Devens. The following is taken from a recent issue of the New England Division Bulletin of the Red Cross and may prove to be of interest to many:
The young woman, who is the Red Cross receiving officer in the base hospital at Camp Devens, has an eye for “human interest.” In the following article written by her for The Bulletin the various types of visitors described and the incidents recounted are bits of her daily experience, but the names throughout are fictitious.
If it takes all kinds of people to make a world then the receiving ward of a base hospital is a miniature earth. Sometimes the visitors wander in, in a rather bewildered, fluttering sort of way. Sometimes they strut in bearing gifts with an aura of opulence, or swing along with enthusiasm and cheer.
On a busy day—Sunday, for instance—the Red Cross receiving officer gets a chance to read snatches of the stories that lie in all their individual lives. Most of them are so eager to see “the boy” that their hearts are quite full and, as one guides them along the miles of bare corridor, one gets all sorts of interesting sidelights on their lives and relationships. Usually, after I have piloted them, I can’t resist waiting at the door until I see them go down the long ward and find the “one-boy-in-the-world” they’re looking for. There is a look that comes suddenly into mothers’ faces as of a long quest ended that is worth waiting for.
I remember one dreadful Sunday, cold, windy, gray, with a driving rain. In one of the surgical wards a lad was desperate with homesickness. He was eighteen and had been three years a soldier. He had just come back from overseas and hadn’t had a word from his mother since he landed. I told him the Red Cross would telegraph right away and would ask her to come and see him as soon as was convenient.
The address was such a funny one, “Sandwich Corner, New Hampshire.” I had a great time impressing it on the Western Union operator, but scarcely had I sent the wire when a whole family blew into the receiving ward. They were drenched with rain and blue with the cold. They had started at six in the morning and come 120 miles in an open Ford through oceans of mud “all the way”, they said, “from Sandwich Corner.”
I nearly hugged them. There were the mother and father, the married sister, brother and baby. The mother was a neutral little person, faded and tired, and she wore the strangest bonnet that ever graced a human head and a waterproof of a vintage too ancient to trace; father was seamed and weatherbeaten, a flinty and typical product of the Granite State. But, believe me, they looked all right to Allen Pratt when they started down the ward and he sat up in bed and held out his arms.
Another morning there was a timid lady who asked if she might go in early. She said she knew it was before hour, but she hoped she might spend the day as it was her wedding anniversary. I said I had misunderstood her at first, thinking she asked to see her son. Her eyes filled with tears and she said: “My son is dead. He was twenty-four and was killed in the Argonne.”
It turned out that father and son had been in the same company, for the father had been a National Guardsman; that the father had searched a long time for his son’s grave and had finally found it, bringing some small comfort to them both. Today was their twenty-sixth wedding anniversary. On their silver wedding anniversary they had had the Atlantic between them. It was a time to cut red tape so I took her to the ward and had the pleasure of seeing her swoop down excitedly on the man who belonged to her.
The more our office considered the matter the more we felt something appropriate for the occasion should be forthcoming. People did not celebrate belated silver weddings so often in hospitals. It was early April and as rainy as most Sundays seemed to be and no one had sent any flowers. But we finally concocted a bouquet.
The psychopathic ward had burst into pansy plants in its front garden and as many as eight blossoms with stems an inch long were wasting their fragrance there. To secure them to safety it was necessary to call for the assistance of the ward visitor, for when the inmates saw the wanton theft they armed themselves and set forth to demolish the spoiler. And a psychopathic patient with a bread knife is not to be scorned. The floral display being thus acquired, our next attack was for white ribbon. Despite several onslaughts upon the various articles of wearing apparel then on the persons of the staff, we were repulsed and had finally to tie up the half-inch stems in three-inch, very stiff white taffeta ribbon, removed with resistance from a friend. But I assure you we presented that stumpy bouquet with all the éclat necessary and the recipient thereof laughed at it inordinately.
We had one constant caller whose son was in Isolation 111, afflicted with measles and not allowed to see visitors. The devoted parent did not mind in the least but would appear every day or two, having looked upon the wine when it was red, and, swaying slightly as he sat on the bench, would insist on holding converse with some enduring member of our force who descanted on the general course of measles ad infinitum.
So many naïve eulogies are heard in military hospitals. The returned hero whom visitors are about to see is clothed with a panoply of virtues. One of the most remarkable titles to fame was expressed by a fond sister who remarked that “Henry had the most perfect teeth she [had] ever see[n] when he went into the army—two complete sets upper and two complete sets lower, and he used to swing chairs with them.”
I recollect late one afternoon two little ladies came in, very tired and dusty. They had come all the way from beyond Pittsburgh; they were the mother and older sister of a boy with pneumonia. I took them the long march to the ward, and the little mother clung to my arm for support. She was very weary, but she looked at me whimsically and said to her daughter, “We certainly have got in with kind people anyhow.” The little mother thanked me for guiding her and talked about how surprised “he” would be. She hadn’t seen him for a year and a half. As she came suddenly around the edge of the bed into his view, he cocked an eye over the edge of the sheet, and exclaimed, “My Gosh! Ma!”
There is another mother who comes every day now. Her boy is dying of cancer. No heroism of the battlefield is greater than here. She comes into the ward like a burst of sunshine. She laughs and jollies him up; she tells him he isn’t as sick as they make out, and the nurses are spoiling him. And then sometimes behind the scenes in our little Red Cross office, she has to come face to face with her tragedy, and fight it out.
The more one sees of mothers the more one understands the stuff of which our army was made.
Pepperell
News Items. The Nashua Telegraph of recent date makes mention of one of our young townsmen in the following manner: “Walton Bosworth, the Camp Devens sailor-singer, will go to Hedding with Rev. G. W. Buzzell, of this city, and later will make a trip to Rochester, Dover, N.H., and other parts of the state for ten days or more. They will hold services in halls and open air in the interests of the Good Will Institute state-wide movement for better conditions for the children and homes of misfortune.”