Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 88, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1918 — WHAT can WE DO? [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WHAT can WE DO?

There is an advantage in the choice of knitting as a work fOr the soldiers, because women can carry this work with them wherever they go. And nearly all people who knit say the work is fascinating and restful, rather than tiresome. But, if it does become monotonous or “gets on the nerves,” there are other things to do. in entirely different lines, that will refresh* the fagged knitter. Business women, who cannot find time to accomplish much with knitting, find the making of scrap books for convalescent soldiers in the hospitals, quick and easy work, and immensely Interesting. These scrap books are to be filled with pictures, cartoons, humorous camp stories, post cards, and anything that is cheering' or interesting—but never long. The pictures must be cut from books or magazines that are printed on a good quality of paper. Kodak pictures and post cards that represent places of interest anywhere In the world, and, of course, pictures of pretty girls and little children are sure to please the soldier no matter what his degree in the social scale.

In making these scrap books for the soldiers ove are cautioned againkt putting 1U anything that will produce homesickness. Pictures and stories thar-sfiggest family reunions on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas are’ to be kept out The soldiers enjoy most jokes on “rookies" and young officers and funny cartoons of camp fife. To return to our knitting, those who can turn out socks have a right to be proud of this accomplishment and a right to the gratitude of the less efficient but willing people who can snly knit less difficult articles. Among the latter, abdominal bands are recom-

mended. They are plain bands worn for warmth about the abdomen by men who must stand in the trenches, or are otherwise exposed to the cold, and they require a knowledge of the plain garter stitch and of purling. They are made of white or gray wool. Sox, sweat'ers, bands and wristlets may well occupy our summertime for knifr ting, so that our army may face next o rncnrvn rtf - thfclA fWIK AvllllvT WTTrI ct lunrl MX tIIVOXT tvux* forts In store for them.