The War Romance of the Salvation ArmyHill, Grace Livingston
History
The War Romance of the Salvation Army
Hill, Grace Livingston
World War, 1914-1918 -- War work -- Salvation Army
Our wine-cellar is supposed to be bomb-proof. First the roof, the
ceiling, the floor, then the three-feet stone and concrete under the
floor and along the wine-cellar. I am all alone for all this business.
Sometimes the boys help me to cut wood and keep the fire and carry
water, but the companies are changed so often that they go and come
every five days, and when they come from the trenches they are so tired
and sleepy they need all the rest they can get. Yesterday I had to
change the stove and stovepipes because it smoked so bad that it almost
smoked us out. So I had to run through the ruins and find old
stovepipes. I could not find enough elbows, so I had to make some with
the help of an old knife. We ran the pipes through the low window bars
and up the side of the house to the top, and plastered up poor joints
with mud, but it burns better and does not smoke. The boys claim I make
the best coffee they have had in France, and also cocoa. I am glad I
know something of cooking. You see, they don’t permit girls so near the
trenches and in the shell fire.
My dear Major:
Grace, love and peace unto you! Many thanks for the beautiful letter I
received from you full of love, Christian admonition and encouragement.
Such letters are much Appreciated over here.
I have been very busy. The last week, in addition to running the
ordinary business, I have used the pick and shovel and wheelbarrow in
lowering our wine-cellar floor (now used as a Salvation Army rest
room), so we can walk straight in. I have also done some white-washing
to brighten things up and have some flowers in bowls, large French wine
bottles and big brass shells, which makes a great improvement. I now
expect to pick up pieces and erect a range, so we can cook and make
things faster. I secured two hams and am having them cooked, and expect
to serve ham sandwiches by Decoration Day, two days hence, when there
is to be a great time in decorating the graves of our heroes. I am also
trying to get some lemons so that I can make lemonade for the boys
besides the coffee and cocoa. You can get an idea of the immensity of
our business when I tell you I got 999.25 francs worth of butter-scotch
candy alone with the last lot of goods, besides a dozen other kinds of
candy, nuts, toilet articles, _etc_., and this will be sold and given
out in a very few days.
We had very good meetings last Sunday. I spoke at night. A glorious
time we had, indeed. Praise God for the opportunity of working among
the New England braves!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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