The War Romance of the Salvation Army

ndreco

y the French with open arms and a big parade as soon as they landed. Flowers were tossed in their path and garlands were flung about them. They wer

ey were billeted in little French villages a

ike Portland cement than anything else, and it is most penetrative and hard to get rid of; it gets in the hair, down the neck, into the shoes and it sticks. If the soldier wears hip-boots in the trenches he must take them off every little while and empty the mud out

liam S. Barker Directo

French Rain a

ime and probably twelve or thirteen thousan

dings in the little French peasant villages. The space was measured up by the town mayor and the battalion leader and the proper number of men assigned to each building. In this way a single

d together years ago for protection against roving bands of marauders. The farmer, instead of living upon his land, lives in the village, and there he has his ba

sed much curiosity because it was called the "new" house. It looked just like all the others. One who was curious asked why it sh

ouses which is all that separates the family from the h

heat anywhere, save from a fireplace in th

the men could eat and they lined up on the street, got their chow and ate it standing in the rain or under whatever cover they could find. Few of them could understand any French, and all the conditions surrounding their presence in France were most trying to them. They

ry side-car with its pioneer Salvationists, investigating co

t in the possibility of the Salvation Army being with them in France. These troops composed the regular army and were old-timers. They showed at once their respect for and their b

money at his disposal; and this money was a menace both to him and to the French population. If some means could be provid

n his pocket, he became an object of interest to the French tradespeople, who encouraged him to spend his money in drink, and wh

o would become responsible to get the soldier's money to his family or relatives in the United States. A simple money-order blank issued in France could be sent to the Natio

Salvation Army was in touch with their boy; and if need existed in the family at home it would be discover

elatives upon the organization, for tens of thousands of dollars that would have bee

into operation it could count upon any assistance which he could give it, and if they conducted meetin

tholic, expressed themselves as being gla

as rather a pessimistic attitude. It wa

ms and men who were down and out. But on the other hand, he said that he did not see that the Salvation Army could do any harm, even if they did not do

everal days and on their landing at St. Nazaire they were placed in a rest camp with the opportunity to visit the city. Here they were a prey to immoral women and the officer comma

ir work with the American Expeditionary Forces, and a suggestion that they go at once to the American Training Area

e the throne she had laid the great concerns of her Army, and daily she had bee

daunted, and so when the report came from over the water,

the young maidens and bade them put utterly away from them the arts and coquetries of youth, and remember that they were sent forth to help and save and love the souls of men as God loved them; and that self must be forgotten, or their work would be in vain. She commanded them if even at this last hour any faltered or felt himself unfit for the God-given t

f-forgetfulness as they knelt with their leader to pray, in words which carried them all to the very feet of God and laid their lives a willing sacrifice to Him who had done so much for them. Still kneeling, with bowed heads, they sang, and their words were but a prayer. It is a way these wonderful people have of bursting into song upon their knees with their eyes clos

was just a few li

heart white

ne, to whom

st died, lo

t that is whit

nce, the angels gathered around the little company, rejoicing that in this world of sin and war there were these who had so given themselves to God; but from that glory-touched room there presently went forth men

s together and gave them such a charge

ried the first d

12th, when this first party of American S

noticed the four poke bonnets among the number. What did the tambourine lassies know of real warfare? To those who reckoned the Salvation Army in terms of

eral Pershing had given them all the rank of military privates, and ordered that they should wear the regulation khak

ty-five thousand dollars had been arranged for, and would be supplied as needed, and that a pa

hased and shipped to Demange;--and a touring c

merely of money. It is a matter for Governmental

most without end, two drivers alternating. It was a sort of super-car, still in the service, to which Salvationists still refer with an affectionate amazement when they consider its terrific accomplishments. It hauled all of the lumber for the first huts and a not uncommon sight was to see it tearing along the road at forty miles an hour, loaded inside and on top with supplies, several pa

about fifty automobiles in this service. Chauffeurs had to be developed out of men w

ker with one of the newly arrived adj

ck to Paris. A man was found on the road who was willing to take it in tow, but they had no rope for a tow line. Over in the field by the roadside the sharp

to see great pieces of heavy field artillery, their long barrels sticking out from pits and pointing at them. They went closer to examine, and found the guns were made of wood painted black. The barrels were perfectly made, even to the breech blocks mounted on wheels, the tires of which were made of tin.

that they had even announced the day they would sweep through the gates of Paris. The French had no guns heavy enough to stop that mad rush, and so they mounted these

nce and wait until they could bring up artillery heavier than the French had, and while they waited the Germans broke into the French wine cellars and stole the "vin blanche" and "vin rouge." The French call this "light" wine and say it takes the place of water, which is only fit for washing; but it proved to be too heavy fo

ange the Military General greeted them

empted to make an American apple pie, which was a dismal failure. The colonel said to the general: "J

is staff said they would remembe

of that pie aroused furnished

Colonel Barker asked the General if he would mind his looking about himself and he readily assented. The indomitable Barker, true to the "never-say-die" slogan of the Salvation Army, went out and found a splendid lot on the main street in the heart of the town, which was being partly use

mediately. A couple of tents were secured to provide temporary sleeping accomm

nce and went to work, much to the amusement of a

Unaccustomed muscles cried out in protest and weary backs ached and complained, but the men stubbornly marched back and forth carrying big timbers, and attracting not a little attention from soldiers who wondered what in the world the Salvation Army could be up to over in France. Some of them

st, perhaps, for it was new work to them, and they had but few tools. The hut was twenty-five feet wide and a hundred feet long. The walls went up presently, and the roof went on. One or two soldie

what fearful lest they might be held up if they attempted to go out by train. The idea of women in the camps was so new to our Amer

siasm while others looked on in critical silence. But very soon their influence was felt, for a commanding officer stated that his men were more contented and more easily handled since the unprecedented innovation

he privilege of going into the tent at the back and being prayed with, and many conversions resulted from these first open-air meetings. Boys walked in from other camps from a

therefore, the Salvation Army tried to place their huts in towns where the Y. was not

f the Demange hut and immediately further op

ning of the Salvation Army hut someone came to ask if they would come over to the Y. and help in a meeting. Sure

g match had been held the day before, across the road from the hut. The band had been stationed there gi

the door of the hut and l

g over there?" asked the Staf

old it wherev

y across to the ring. The soldiers raised a loud cheer and hurrah to see the women sto

d the cornet began where the band had left

signal lights were flashing. It was a strange place for a

was no war, and no one dreamed that the sons would have to go forth from their own land to fight. A sudden hush stole over the men and they sat enthralled watching th

my God,

r to

ugh it b

raise

ention as they gruffly joined their young voices in the melody. Another song followed, and a prayer that seemed to bring the great God right down in their mid

mpet of the L

shall be

for many of them! Time should be

ll their souls. It was like having an angel drop down among them to see her there, and hear her clear, unafraid voice.

had felt it, and had made various attempts to find something strong and true to help them, but no one had seemed to understand. Even when they went to church there had been so much talk about the "supreme sacrifice" and the glory of dying for one's country, that they had a vague feeling that even the minister did not believe in his religion any more. And so they had whistled and tried to be jolly and forget. They were all in the same b

was someone els

iles at; but now it suddenly seemed so simple, so perfect, so fitted to their desperate need. Just the old story that everybody has sinned, and broken God's law: that God in His love provided a way

and there were boys of lower degree whose lips were foul with blasphemy and whose hearts were scarred with sin; but all listened, now, in a new way. It was somehow different over here, with the thunder of artillery in the near distance, the hovering presence of death not far away, the flashing of signal lights, the hum of the airplane

voice began to

my Lord fro

s love, so f

I wandere

prayers have

home, I'm c

y wasted

prayers hav

me, the whole

wild, o'er

r I chose

soul condem

s prayers hav

my darkness

ed Christ

is name both

prayers have

ome, I'm com

d those words; but the voices were all husky with emotion

selves to Christ. Over all of them there was a hushed thoughtfulness. When the workers started back to their own hut the crowd went with th

f the French people of the neighborhood, women and children and old men, had drifted over, and were listening to the singing in open-eyed wonderment. Among them one of the Salvation Army workers had distributed copies of the French "War Cry" w

le band of unselfish workers that had dropped so quietly down into their midst. Word was beginning to filter out from camp t

was asked how much he had already been allowed. If the amount owed by him already was large, he was cautioned not to go too deeply into his next pay check; but never was a man refused anything within reason. Frequ

the counter, saying: "I owe you 285 fr

ers, asking that, when they were in a position to return it, they hand it in to any Salv

no place to sleep. He handed them seventy francs and told them to leave it at any Salvation Army hut for him when they were able. Five months passed and then the money was turned in to a Salvation Army hut and forwarded to him. With it was

s generous spirit, no less than his rough-and-ready good nature, manful, soldier-like disposition, coupled with a sturdy self-respect and

nversions, but there have been more since the great drives in which the Americans have taken so large a share. The Masons, the Moose and a Jewish fraternity used the hut for fraternal gatherings. Catholic priests held mass in it upon various occasions. The school for

ay one tent and flooded the other two and the hut. The Salvation Army men spent a wild, wet, sleepless night trying to salvage their scanty personal belongings and their stock of suppl

ure the full blast of the storm. During the earlier hours of the night the girls served all comers with steaming coffee and filled the canteens of the men on guard (free). When they saw how severe

me had swung into full production. It was almost impossible to secure stoves, and firewood was scarce. For every load that went to the Salvation A

s to be no heat at the Salvation Army hut that night. The sergeant promised the

to the girls, "the boys will s

y a stick of wood with him ("a stick" may weigh anywhere from 10 to 100 pounds).

om in a Turkish bath. The rest of the hut was cold; but compared to the weather outside, it was heaven-like. For all of its size, the hut was frail, and the winter wind blew coldly through its m

eping when sheer exhaustion overcame them. There were no baths at all. The experience was most trying for women and only the spirit of the

t more hours for those in charge repairing the roof in the snow. They also had to cut all of the wood for the hut. Later details were supplied to every hut by the military a

on Army was established at Demange was

ontiers-sur-Saulx, where the First Ammunition Train was established, and here the officer t

m New York and one of these was to be erect

e tents, the largest one thirty by sixty feet, the others smaller, carried them acros

ionists in the road wo

e military officer of the day advanced to meet them with a hand-sh

re if you will have us,"

inute and I'll have a detail put your baggage under cover

y did the work o

a French café and a comfortable plac

tents which were to serve for a recreation centre for the boys. The American Major in charge of

ith just pride in their hard day's work, and a secret assurance that it would stand the hearty approval of the commanding

and responded: "I, sir." "Well," said the Colonel, "they look mighty fine up on that hill--mighty fine! Splendid location for them--splendid! But the enemy can spot them

d felt very tired. Camouflage! How did they do that at a moment's noti

e Staff-Captain ques

ches, enough to cover your tents; or easier yet, get some green and yell

ods for branches for the rest. Scratched and bleeding and streaked with perspiration and dirt, they finished their work at last, and the white tents had disappeared into th

and things began to l

ies after they had set up their two folding cots in

on the face of the

y, "we forgot all about that!" a

t to work and contrive a fireplace out of field stone and clay, with a bit of sheet iron for a roof, and two or three lengths of old sewer pipe carefully wired together for a stovepipe. It took days

barn used as a kitchen, in front of which the men lined up at the open doorways for mess. It was a very dirty barn indeed, with heavy cobwebs hanging in weird festoons from the ceiling and straw and manure all over the f

said the Staff-Captain still hesitating. "You know the men

aid the Mess-Sergeant

was not an inviting prospect and the Staff-Captain looked about him dubiously an

loth. It purported to be clean, but there are degrees of cleanliness in the army and there might have been a difference of opinion. However, the girls realized th

the corner where the girls were sitting. It was great to have American women sitting down to dinner with them, as it were. Not a "cuss word" broke the harm

en away for a few hours and had not yet been made acquainted with the

of the Mess-Sergeant was planted most unexpectedly in the newcomer's face, and he found himself sprawling on the other side

vationists, sent for the Staff-Captain and invited them all to his mess at the chateau; telling him that if he needed anyt

but told him that he thought

een them and the soldiers. The boys felt that the Salvationists were their very own. N

hey discovered that the disease of homesickness which they had been s

all its attendant suffering was added to the other discomforts. Was

making swamps and pools everywhere. Depression l

f the roads on account of the rain was such that all transportation was held up. They had been waiting, ho

rful cook, looking across the big tent to the drooping shoulders and discouraged faces of the boys who were hovering about

yet been issued for ovens. All about them were apple orchards and they might have baked some pies if there had been ovens, but at present that was out of the question. After a long discussion one of the girls suggested doughnuts, and even that had its difficulties, although it r

used was only large enough to cook seven at once, but that first day they made one hundred and fifty big fat sugary doughnuts, and when the luscious fragrance began to float out on the air and word went forth that they had real "honest-to-goodness" home doughnuts at the Salvation Army hut, the line formed away out into the road and stood p

owder can! Of course! Why hadn't they thought of that before? But how could they get the hole? There seemed nothing just right to cut it. Then, the very next morning the inside tube to the coffee percolator that somebo

tiers, the home

always been. He averred that it wasn't the doughnut at all that made the Salvation Army famous, but the wonderful girls that the Salvation Army brought over there; the girls that lay awake at night after a long hard day's work scheming to make

egin to talk about home and mother while they were eating the doughnuts. Through the hole in the dough

ontrived to make many pies on a very tiny French stove with an oven only large eno

ought up to five thousand a day, and some of the unresting workers d

cure stoves with ovens adequate for baking pies, and after the ensign's experiment with doughnuts

coming into its own,

iers that hurried for their mess kits and stood hours waiting for more pies to bake; and the fame of the Salvation Army began to spread far and wide. Then one da

here the h

he poe

is where t

doughb

in the

y in

vation A

ws how t

t for

wears

es for ho

"beati

egion

nd flame

vation A

for th

e sacr

revere

link us u

ht else

where the

the po

is where t

Yanke

n Army section of the American Expeditionary Force is militarized and strictly accountable for all of its action to the United States military authorities is complicated in many places by the further fact that the French civil and military authorities must also be taken into consideration and consulted at every ste

e American soldiers. When the soldiers arrived they were overjoyed to find the Salvation Army awaiting them with hot food. They were soaked through by the rain, and never was hot coffee more welcome. There was a little argument about the commandeered barracks. It was to have been used as headquarters, but when the commandi

t came to the Salvation Army Major as he worked away with his hammer putting up a

halo!/Ah! She

seeing to all these details

the regulars employed all their spare time in a friendly rivalry to see which could accomplish the most work. When it was dedicated the popularity of t

rk began to assume business-like proportions. There wer

e of the hut. It was found that a canteen where candy and articles needed by the soldiers could be obtain

the camps. At first it was impossible to purchase any quantity of supplies from any house. The demand for everything was so great that wholesale dealers were most independent. Three hundred dollars' worth of supplies was the

nd dollars was loaned by General Bramwell Booth from the International Treasury. The money was not only borrowed, but the Commander had promised to pay it back in twelve months (which guarantee it is pleasant

has

er hut was establishe

alleys almost nightly to seek out the position of the American troops and occasionally to drop bombs. It was necessary that all tents should be camouflaged,

these were quickly sent out to Demange which for the time being was used as the general base of supp

ne of the few houses containing a bathroom, but when the new tenants arrived they found that the anticipated bathtub had bee

training school have a Red Cross dip

e steamer reached the quarantine station in New York harbor a number of cases of Spanish influenza had developed among the several companies of soldiers who were aboar

ich responsibility, after some hesitation, she accepted. Under her were two nurses, three dieticians (Y.M.C.A. and Red Cross), a medical corps sergeant (U.S.A.), and twenty-four orderlies. She took charge on the fourth day of a thirteen day voyage, working in the sick bay from 12 noon to 8 P.M., and from 12 midnight to 8

cidents occurre

e trip and most of the passengers suffered from s

uarter-master, whose duty it was to see that no lights were shown, was at his wit's end. His difficulty was the greater because he could speak no English, and she no French. Finally, a passenger took pity on the

nfested with flying fish, who, like moths, fly straight for any light, and he is afra

ing mice, his statement could not have been more

ing the soldiers and the ship's Captain requested a S

(a rough pine box), heavily weighted at one end, lay across the rail over the stern. Here a chute had been rigged so that the coffin might not foul the ship's screws. The flags remained at half-mast for half an hour. The Salvation Army Adjutant read the burial service and prayed. Passengers on the promenade deck looked on.

o more being conducted by a Catholic priest. Four more bodies o

ndless toil and by the encouragement of her cheerful face in that depressing place.

said one boy just before he di

e effort, drew her hand to his lips

rs attended the funerals in full dress uniform and

tatement of their appreciation of her service. Officers of the Aviation Corps who were aboard the ship arranged a banquet to be held in her honor when they should re

o march. When she came down the gangplank and walked past them to the

ad for the Salvation Army. Where were the flour and the sugar and the lard and the other

money. Wood was thirty-five dollars a load (about a cord) and had to be cut and hauled by the purchaser at that. There was a story current throughout the camps that some Frenchmen were talking together among themselves, and one asked the rest where in the world t

was from the Americans, and the question was, would the commissary allow them to buy in large enough quantities to be of any use? The Salvat

rican Army goes into camp we will blow them off the map." Day after day the Germans lay low and watched. Their airplanes flew over and kept close guard, but they could find no sign of a camp anywhere. No tents were in sight, though they searched the landscape ca

iting to be sold at a high price to Americans after the war. But when the bombardment continued, and it became evident that the whole would either be destroyed or fall i

ould trying to get out of the city. Just by accident he found out that the merchants were willing to sell their jam at a very reasonable price, and so he bought tons and tons of Bar-lé

on the table in the Salvation Army hut stood as pretty a chocolate

lassie who had baked it, "and I'll take

she would bake another and have it ready for him on his retu

as a wonde

rosting, another layer of cake, overlaid with the translucent Bar-lé-Duc jam, a third layer of cake with chocolate, another layer spread with Bar-lé-Duc jam, th

ully away in his truck, and rustled off to the Officers' Headquarters. Arrived there he took his cake in hand and asked to see the General. An officer with his eye on the cake said the General was b

eneral's room and, uncoveri

ent this cake to you as a sample of what they will do f

But when the General had cut a generous slice, held it up, observing its cunning workmanship, its translucent, delectable interior, he turned with a gleam in his eye, looked about the room a

the General as an ally one must be on the right side of the "old Sarge" if one wanted anything. While he was still talking with the officers he was handed an order from the General that he should be supplied with all

en hours a day work and called it ease; but that was not to be enjoyed for long. At the end of a week the Salvation Army Colonel swooped down upon them again

ed aghast at the task before them. But the Colonel would listen to no arguments. "Don't talk about difficulties," he said, brushing aside a plea

was finished and ready for occupancy. Such tireless devotion, such patient, cheerful toil for their sake was not to be passed by nor forgotten by the soldiers who watched and helped when they could. Day after day the bonds between them and the Salvation Army grew stronger. Here were men who did not have to, and yet who for the sake of helping them, came and lived under the same conditions that they did, working even longer hours than they, eating the same food, enduri

f a Salvation Army hut, waiting for his Colonel, when two soldiers stopped behind him to light their cigarettes.

Army outfits!" grumbled one as he struck a match.

For a rookie you sure are picking one good way to make yourself unpopular tout de suite! Better lay off that kind of talk until you kind

ces had to be held in the open air. It was no unusual thing to see a thousand men gathered in the twilight around two or three Salvation Army lassies, singing in sweet wonderful v

it would begin with popular songs, but before long the boys would ask for hymns, the old fav

anizations, but they did not seem to need them. The men liked the Gospel meetings and came to them better than to anything else. Often they would come to the hut and start the singing themselves, which would presently grow into a meeting of evident intention. The Staff-Captain did not long have oppo

ar division helped with this, and it was some camouflage when it was done, for the boys had put their initials all over it, and then, had painted Christmas trees everywhere, and on the trees they had put the presents they knew they never would get, and so in all the richness of its record of homesickness the old tent went up again. They kept warm here by means of a c

had an opening, the first big thing that was recognized by the military authorities. The Salvation Army Staff-Captain in charge of that zone took a long board and set candles on it and put it above the platform like a

nd extra benches brought in. The men stood three deep upon the tables and filled every seat and every inch of standing room. When there was no more room on the floor,

-Captain had arranged a suitable program for the o

ddle of a strain. "That's the worst thing I ever did--stopping the music," he exclaimed ruefully. He refused to

, for the Fighting Eighteenth Infantry are mostly gone, having laid their young lives on the altar with

d doughnuts, cup cakes and fry eggs and make all kinds of eats until it is all you see. Well, can you think of two women cooking in one day 2500 doughnuts, 8 dozen cup

girls: "Will you please tell me something? Don't you ever rest?" That is

and purchased from a farmer a pint of cream they would come to ask a girl to make a strawberry shortcake for them. They would buy a whole dozen of eggs apiece, and having begged a Salvation Arm

cers to be forwarded to persons designated in case they are killed in action or taken prisoner. In such cases it is v

d drinker and had continued his habits after enlisting. He came under the influence of the Salvation Army and swore that he would drink no more. But time after time he fell, each time becoming more desperate and more discouraged.

hen the temptation comes to drink, and the fact that someone really cares enough about my wor

that the lassie was about to decline, "not ev

"but the first time that you take a drink, off will come the ring! A

is still sober. Also he has written to his wife for the first tim

s. On one occasion a bird-man dropped a note down in front of the hut where two sisters were stationed, circling around at a low elevation until certain that the girls had

the point of American bayonets, drove almost seventy miles to the Salvation Army Headquarters at Ligny for supplies for his men. He was given an automobile load of

ore, just an old travelling field range, and for a canteen one end of Battery F's kitchen. They were th

night, they often had to sleep with their clothes on. There was only one way they could have meetings in that place and that was while the men were lined up for chow near to the canteen. They would start to sing in the gloomy, cold room, the men and girls all with their overcoats on, and fingers so

my girls and he said: "Because they always take time to cheer us up. It's true they do knock us mighty hard about our sins, but while it hurts they alw

hey did not preach, but it is not so. They preached early and often, but the boys liked it because i

eat, and an entertainment with recitations from the children. The school-teacher was teaching the children their pieces, and there was a general air of delightful excitement everywhere. It was e

as set up, and the officers went to town and bought presents and decorations. They covered the old hut with boughs and flags and transformed it into a wonderlan

e, and when supper-time came the hall was so crowded and there was so much still to be done that he could not get away to get his supper. But it was a grand and glorious time. The place was packed. There were two American C

here were recitations in Fren

wistfully and said to the Staff-Captain: "Are you going to sell all those things?" The Staff-Captain, with quick appreciation, said: "No, Colonel, Christmas comes but once a year

yone got into the hut and who it might happen to be. They were a little bit nervous, but went to investigate. They found that a soldier on guard had raised a window, and although this did not allow him room to enter the hut, he was able to reach the table where the phonograph stood. He had t

uits" One day a soldier entered a hut and said: "Say, miss, I want some of them there-them there--Dang me if I can remember them

h, often going out at night to help bring in the wounded; always in danger from shells and gas; some with the ammunition trains; others driving supply trucks; still others attached to units and accompanying the fighti

o command the hut at Boviolles. At this place was the battalion of the Twenty-sixth Infantry, commanded by Major Theodore Roosevelt. His bro

and his willingness to serve both m

d the key in the canteen door and went off with them across France and never came back, establishin

in connection with his introduc

lcome with that division. But the Little Major did not give up like that, and

ver been of any account at home, was convicted of a most horrible murder and condemned t

uld do anything with him. He had to be watched day and night; and it was awful to see him die this way with his sin unconfessed. Many attem

ion Army man around, and he would like to see him. The authorities sent and searched everywhere for the Little

l face haggard, unshaven, his eyes bloodshot, his whole appearance almost like some low animal. Through the shadowy prison

help you any?" asked the Little Major with a

yes under the shock of unkem

know what I'm here for and

as steady and sweet as he

was wounded for your transgressions, He was bruised for your iniquities! Because I know He said, 'Though your sins be as scarl

gony and big tears rolling down his

and the Little Major prayed such a wonderful prayer, taking the poor soul right to the foot of the Thro

! Christ has pardoned me!

mile upon his face. When the Chaplain asked him if he had anything to say he publicly

find out how it came about and later sent to thank the Little M

m," he said, "but I almost doubted the evidence of my own eyes when I

the wounded and to bringing the men back to the dressing station on stretchers. Between the times of active engagements, the Major gave himself to supplying the

y. He will walk miles to get the most trivial article for either man or officer. The men know that he loves them or he wo

ake off his shoes and bring away pieces of flesh

onslaught with which our men repulsed the enemy, ready to pray with the dying or help bring in the wounded, and always fearless no matter what the conditions. By his unfearing heroism as well as his willingness to share the hardships and dangers of the men, he so won their confidence that it was frequently said that they would not go into battle except the Major was with them. The men wo

, carrying his seventy pound pack as any soldier did. He was by the side of Captain Archie Roosevelt when he received a very dangerous wound from an exploding shell, and

tual worries. After a brief talk the Major asked him if he had his prayer book. The boy said yes. "Then take it out and read it," said the Major. "God is

uggling over the crest of the parapet, laughed and shouted: "Go back, Major, you haven't even a pistol!" But the Major did not go back. He went with

t and openly kneel before their comrades registering their determination to live in accordance with the teachi

n his God. He used to say to the men in the meetings, "We are not afr

nches, and the men were asleep in the dugouts. The Major lay in his little chicken-wire bunk, just drowsing off,

is first night in the line. It had been a hard day for him. The shells screamed overhead and finally one landed close somewhere and rocked the dugout with it

mother might have done, until he was calmed and strengthened; and there amid the roaring of guns, the scr

e front and a Salvationist asked

ne could express the admiration the boys have for him. The boys love him. He calls them "Buddie." They salute and are ready to do or die. The last time I saw him he had hiked in from the trenches with the boys. He carried a hea

As this was explained the General's manner changed and he declared he did not know that the work was to be carried on in this way; that he did not favor the women in camps, or any religion, but thought it would make the soldier soft, and the busin

m that Demange was now within the territory named. He appeared to be put out that the Salvation Army was already es

nd officers and attended Salvation Army meetings. The leaders, of course, knew nothing about this, but they could not have planned their meetings better if they had known. It seemed as though God was in it all. At the end of two wee

hut was a scene o

meeting where the use of gas masks was explained. All this, besides the regular uses of the hut, which included a library, piano, phonograph, games, magazines, pies, dou

ls. There were windows but not of glass, for they would have soon been shattered, and, too, they would have let too much light through. They we

e by themselves. On rainy days the furniture was supplemented by a dishpan on one cot, a frying-pan on another, and a lard tin on the third, to catch the drops

e this, the hut would be too near the front for it to be thought advisable to have a piano. It was too liable to be shattered by a chance shell and the management thought it u

d say sympathetically: "No, boys, no piano

o and then go off. In a little while back they would co

answer with a twinkle in reply to the ple

r tobacco or cigarettes. In a few cases where such were sent to them for distribution they were handed over to the doctors for the badly wounded in the hospitals or the very sick men accustomed to their use, who were almost insane with their nerves. They also procured them from the Red Cross for wounded men, sometimes, who were fretting for them, but they never were a part of their supplies and far from the poli

of cigarettes. Then some soldier would remark witheringly: "Say, where d

It seemed somehow to help to keep up the morale of the army, that talcum powde

lic, rich and poor. War is a great leveler and had swept away all differences. They

fortunate as to be stationed at a town where there was a Salvation Army hut and it had been over four months since they had tasted anything like cake or pie. Wou

ey were to march at eight o'clock and nothing had been heard of the doughnuts. Suddenly the truck dashed into view, but the boys eyed it glumly, thinking it was likely empty after all this time. However, the chaplain held up both hands full of g

knew no bounds. The girls had come along and now they began to hand out the doughnuts, and the crowd cheered and shouted as they filed up to receive them. A

ven hundred weary doughboys on their march to

ender memories upon his face. Nobody noticed that far-away look in his eyes until the lassie in charge of the hut, standing in the doorway surveying her noisy family, searched him out with

en impulsively, "She's the

oy bought a can of beans at the canteen, and when remonstrated with by the lassie who sold them, on the ground that he was always com

train sat by one of the little wooden tables in the hut, just after he had r

e, what the w

han tongu

o-night of you

ce I would

erful fa

still despite

by a silve

I carry nex

o harm ca

e to smile thro

ded my coun

ho nursed

d for me

ow, now at m

re my prid

uard you, way ove

you and his dre

eaming of h

other's Day" in response to a suggestion on the

ttle Mothe

d very hard. If I wrote you every time I think of you this war would go hang as far as I am conce

histle of the Montreal train on Saturday morning and then fix up a big feed for your boy to offset a week of boarding-house grub. Those and many other things remind me many times a day of the one who bid me good-by with a smile and saved her tears 'till she

affection. I haven't always been as good to you as I ought, but I'm go

in pie, and have all the lilacs in the U.S.A. Wait till I walk down Main Street with you on my arm all fixed up in a swell dress and a new bonnet and me with a span new un

bit tired so I'm making this kinder short; but it's a little reminder that the

n't forget about

; your soldier boy loves y

worked in dugouts far belo

ir coats mended and

the heart of a deep woo

ral of these boys were killed a fe

ering, smiling woman who sewed them on, as if they just ripped them off so she could sew them on again; if so, she did not mind. They came to mourn when they received no word from home; and when the mail came in and they were fortunate they came first to the hut waving their letter to tell of their good luck bef

summons for the Salvation Army Major in charge at Gondrecourt to appear before him. An officer on a motor cycle with a side car brought the summons, and the

at once and in brusque tones

on says you must not kill. Look out there!" pointing through the doorway, "we have set up dummies and teach our

w dummies hanging in a row, and then he looked back and face

fire in his keen blue eyes, the Salvationist looked steadily at the Major-General and his

o were not capable of directing their own steps. They had been off on leave down to the town and had come home drunk. They were going into the Guard House to sleep it o

with vile diseases, who are shaken with self-indulgence, and

look a

broad shoulders, expanded chest, complexion like a baby,

thrill down the Major-General's back in spite of his opposition. "Can you find any mon at fi

ed, and listened

clothed in simple words, and as he talked the tears unbidden r

riend in earnest confidence, "do you know, before I left we had

of the Guard Houses, so that he might talk to the men or hold meetings with them wh

tful all-the-year-round Santa Claus out of himself: dressing up in old clothes, because of the mud and dirt through which he must pass, he would sling a pack on his back that would put to shame the one Old Santa used to carry. Shaving things

s of them, lying in the valley. Whenever this man heard the rumbling of guns and knew that something wa

d for. They all joined in the singing, even those who could not sing very well. And once it was a

e was so busy that it seemed as if perhaps they ought to give up the service. The nurses were heavy-eyed with fatigue and the doctors were almost worked to death. But when

ke of a spiritual sunshine that would last all the year. The song and talk drifted out to another little ward where a d

a letter that had been handed to him for censorship that he thought she would lik

t of all, some Salvation Army people came and sang and talked about sunshine, and while they were talking the sunshine came in through

n every area this testimony comes from both doctors, nurses and wounded men. Yet it was

performing an orchestra selection. They apologized for the noise, declaring th

like a phonogra

I'll tell the world we'd lik

oon forthcoming and

t had just been amputated and whose right arm was boun

understand how well off I really am. Maybe you had better let me try to write a bit myself for

adly sprained ankle and some bruises, and will be here two or th

g outings for wounded men who were able to take a little drive. It was said by the doctors and nurses t

hospital cots called

holic. Can you pray for me, Salvation Army gir

and prayed for him, and soothed him into a sleep from which he awoke refreshed to find t

ered to go back to the evacuation hospital. He was determined that he could yet fight, and was almost crying because he had to leav

ted, "or I'll throw

war, his useless arm hanging by his side. That is the kind of stuff our Americ

dily, wearily, back from the distant fields where they had toiled all day. The elder girl pushed a wheelbarrow heavily laden with plunder from the fields. All bore farming implements, the size of which dwarfed them by comparison. They had almost reached the end of the drill ground when the military band blared out the opening notes of the "Star Spangled Banner," and

vigorously three verses of "The Star Spangled Banner." A Major who was passing came immediately to attention, his example being followed by all of the men and officers within hearing, and also by a scattering of French soldiers who were just emerging from the Catholic church. By the time the second verse wa

one day, where the renowned "Aunt Mary" was l

s in a day. The people in Gondrecourt believed they could do be

rack to hold them, so that they might be easily counted without confusion. The soldiers had appointed a committee to do the countin

lemonade every afternoon. You can imagine the pies and doughnuts that would find a welcome here. One day they made twenty-seven hundred sugar cookies, and another day they fried eigh

rning and everything was ready for the girls to begin when the sun peeped over the edge of the great battlefield. They sprang at their task a

ries to conserve its heat for the benefit of the cooks. In fact that kitchen was o

watering mouths. Now and then one of the soldiers' cooks would put his head in at the door, ask how the score stood, and shake his head in wonder. On and on they worked, mixing, rolling, filling, putting the little twists and cuts on the upper crust, and slipping in the oven and out again! Mixing, rolling, filling and baking without

n the last quarter of a pie went over the counter, with its accompanying mug of coffee. Think what i

s change after having paid for h

ork so hard for such a small return? I do

assie. "I don't think any amount of money would per

ork for the joy of work

tired we look at the boys drilling in the sun and working early and late. They

, turning to his companions. But as he went out into the night his voice floated back in a pu

iotism to keep refined w

lk with the sick soldiers. Often they read the Bible to them, and many a man through th

to one of the women about his soul. They knelt and prayed together, and the boy when he rose

can't

you mean?" as

o read, and I can't read my Bible li

t before first call and she would teach him a verse of scripture and read him a chapter. This

but by this time he had a rich store of God's word safe in his heart from the verses

ant life! Before, I was afraid to fight; but now I don't even fear death. I k

love drink. When he joined the army he did not give up his old habits. Whenever anybody remonstrated with him

one knows. He said it was the pie. Something held him there. He came every night. The spirit of the Lord that lived and breathed in t

or gambling coming on he gave his

paint and made a little sign which he set up in a prominent place in the hut, his silent

nge of her expression and asked what was the matter, but she made no reply while tears started down her cheeks. She, however, went on frying doughnuts. The others asked again what was the trouble and for answer the girl handed them the open dispatch, which stated briefly that one of her three brothers, who were all in the service, had been killed in action on the previous day. The others sympathetic

saw the homesickness and yearning in his eyes as he spoke. Immediately sh

which the girls had made at each place, and all the candles lit on the white cake in the middle. The boy brought three of his comrades, and there were the Salvation Army Major in charge and the lassies. They had a beautiful time. Of course it was quite a little extra work for t

tering a Salvation Army hut for the first time without noticing the sign over the door started to talk to the girls in French--very fragmentary French at that. When t

ched one of ou

American?" he asked,

l they mind if I go up and speak to them? I ain

e walking along

et's go to the Sa

er: "No, I d

got a piano and a phonog

er: "No, I d

ey've got books an

er: "No, I d

"Two American

er: "No, I d

ey've got swell co

(angrily): "N

come on. They got

dier: "I d

cut their own wood an

nt! Why didn't you say that right off

the Salvation A

in. A good many of our boys lost their coats in the Soissons fight, and when they got new ones they didn't always fit, so this little sewing machine that went to war came in very handy. Sometimes the owner would rip off the collar or rip out the sleeves, or almost rip up the whole coat and with her mouthful of pins skillfully put it together again u

tor for Trench Training facing the enemy. Of co

of any kind or everything would be destroyed by shell fire at once. An order went out that all huts near the front must be

ourt area and finally the time came for the troops