TO DO MY DUTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3201, 21 July 1915, Page 7

TO DO MY DUTY.

A NURSE’A STORY. (From Ouk Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL. Jui.y 15 Writing to her family from somewhere in Nortnern France, under date May 5, Nurse Lindsay (of Otahuti) gives some interesting nows of her experiences:— “ Where I am I must not toll you. 1 have been warned Unit the utmost, secrccj must be observed with regard to my locution at tJi.s place. No Eastern fable, w.tn wonderful lamp or enchanted carpet, couid bo more strange than tuc way 1 am spirited about from place to place. When 1 wrote you last from tire base hospital at Lcs Havre, I was some weeks on night special duty at a. chateau, some distance away in the country. Accompanied by a medical officer, I was conveyed to and from the hospital night and morning by motor, it was a lovely residence, and had much historical interest. I regretted that 1 had not more time at my d.sposal to explore the surroundings. On coming back in the morning I often got off and walked when a mile or two from the city. Those morning strolls by the seashore delighted me, renewed mo with fresh vigour, and were a continual inspiration to ipe in my work. There were many contingencies to face in those days. I often looked lovingly across the water, and thought of last year, the memory of which is still with mo. I had seen rural England in the springtime of the year when the lanes were decked with the wild flowers. All the landscape was freshly greened, and the ,trees were the glory of the land. I felt like the exile singing, ' Oh to be in England now that April’s there.’ “In those walks I encountered manyamusing and interesting incidents. One day I had ventured too far in the neighbourhood of the shipping. There are immense wharves- in the city. I came across a French guard, many of whom are stationed at various points on picket duty. I was accosted by one; ho must have taken me for a probable spy. I tried to explain, but my bad French only increased the difficulty, and his bad English amused me. However, the man in khaki, who is always available, came to the rescue. He soon sorted out matters, and, with many apologies on both sides, we parted good friends. A little girl whom I meet occasionally in my rambles, tolls me her name is Susanne Lavclle. Her father owns the Casino Hospital, which has been placed at the disposal of the British wounded soldiers. Susannc’s father and brothers are all in the French army. She is confident that General Joffre will take care of them. The general is the idol of the army, and greatly beloved by the French people. This little girl thinks it very wonderful that 1 should come so far to nurse the soldiers. She is never tired of listening to stories I tell her about my home, for away in the southern seas. “ An unexpected visitor came to sec me at the hospital one day, no less a personage than the Bishop of London. An Imperial officer whom I had met when I was up near the lines asked him to call and see me, because I was a New Zealander. I felt honoured. He had many questions to ask mo. He told me he was nearly coining to New Zealand at one time. I .said to him that I hoped ho would still come. Ho replied that he would; it would give him much pleasure. He told me that England was proud of the sons of the overseas dominions, and particularly Ihoso of New Zealand. I thanked him on behalf of my country. Then he spoke to me about my work. I found him earnest and sympathetic. In appearance ho is youthful in figure, even boyish in gait; but his face is marked with the lines of experience. Ho has a keen spiritual insight, and I should say he is intellectually clover. Ho .spoke a few words of cheer to the wounded soldiers, which they much appreciated. On saying good-bye at parting, those lines from the ‘ Legend Beautiful ’ came over the hospital ward like a benediction; ‘To do thy duty; this is best; And with the Lord to leave the rest.’ “ One morning when coming back from night duty I was met with, ‘Hurry up; orders have come; you are expected to oo ready in an hour to go with another sister from a different hospital by motor to catch an ambulance train, and go on duty.’ So there was a bit of a scramble. Instead of going to bed 1 had to pack up, got all my things fixed up, and off. On the wav we had to report at headquarters, the result of which was that the other sister went on duty in the ambulance train, and I was transported here. I am again within sound of the guns, but in no danger. Wo are well looked after. Just a little further up the pages of history are being closely written. What a struggle these brave chaps up there are having. I trust you folks in your far away peaceful dominion are fully appreciating what they are doing for us. I am glad T have been permitted to come up hero. I wish I could describe to you this groat scene before me. It is magnificent in its sublimity, and of infinite interest; but I dare not touch on anything of vital importance or my whole letter might be confiscated. I am very busy these days in hospital. Our resources are taxed to the utmost to keep the bright, side up. Mv journal is impossible just now, but 1 'am adding to my chronicles stories of war experience for your perusal by-and-bye.” ____________