MY B.E.F. ALBUM

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 42, 14 November 1918, Page 3

MY B.E.F. ALBUM

(By Olive Dent. Author of "A Y.A.R in , France," in the "Daily Moil") The usual stigma of "a nuisance" and "a bore" ; s in hospital lifted .from the Autograph album. In Franco, in particular, visitors and "passes-out" being impossible, the despised album comes into its own and is given a welcome i\s a minor bedside occupation. There .ire few "album chestnuts" proffered, in these books, most of the contributions being'orighiai, essentially topical and typical. Tims an orderly, given an unwelcome move, relieves his feelings in four stanzas embodying a lachrymose lament, and beginning: — '' "Who said that I hnd , got to leave The wards I love, and made mo grieve And wipe my tears upon my sleeve ?— The Matron." Ono poet launched into ecstatic and vigorous verso expressing duo gratification, entitled "Dor Tag." or "The Day" he "got his Blighty tickets." In one album, written in a fine, scholarly hand, is part of the speech of Polonuis to Laertes, very Appropriate advice to a soldier, ono realises anew. A few pages ahead, above another signature, are the words, "Beggar that I am, I nm poor even in thanks." • A nsw note is struck by one boy who evidently docs not know what very long memories nursing vpmen have:— •' "I have often wondered whether, when we patients leave the hospital, we are quite forgotten. • Though in our hearts we thank yoi, many .of us go away ami no more is heard of us. Therefore we are, or think we are, forgotten. That is .why I am placing on record my appreciation of the kindness shown me, hoping that I at least will not be among the great majority, , " One entry has a groat extraneous interest. It was written by i patient who had lost the rigilt eye, both of whose hands were amputated at the wrist, and who wrote with the pencil thrust into his bandages. He had a very fine character, and, far from being depressed, his good spirits were evidenced by his contribution to the album: "Cupid is iv n.righty boy; I'll hit , him with a hatchet. He stuck an arrow in my heart, And I can't get there to scratch it." "An infantryman's glimpse of Paradise, E 3 Ward," is one little comment tucked in a corner—and seeming to suggest ■ that the writer hnd just got his "Blighly tickets." "With pleasant thoughts of a happy time and of a sister ; wii.h the gentlest of hands, the kindest of hearts, and the sunniest of tempers," is another. And as the writer wasn't Irish, it may bo safely concluded Hint the "Disthrcssfill Counthry" hasn't quite got the mono- I poly of bhrney.