Red Cross sought her aid,
knowing how valuable her long experience in nursing would be to them. She
could not refuse their appeals, and once more started in the wake of
powder smoke, and cannon's roar.

"But I'll not start on that chapter of her life, for, if I did, I would
not know where to stop. It was there I met her, there she nursed me back
to life; then I learned to appreciate her devotion to the cause of
humankind. This second long siege against suffering made her an invalid
for many years.

"The other nations wondered why America refused to join them in their
humane work. All other civilised countries were willing to lend a hand.
But Clara Barton knew that it was because the people were ignorant of its
real purpose that they did not join the alliance, and she promised that
she would devote the remainder of her life, if need be, to showing America
that as long as she refused to sign that treaty, she was standing on a
level with barbarous and heathen countries.

"For years she was too ill to push the work she had set for herself. When
her strength at last returned, she had to learn to walk. At last, however,
she succeeded. America signed the treaty. Then, through her efforts, the
American National Red Cross was organised. She was made president of it.
While no war, until lately, has called for its services, the Red Cross has
found plenty to do in times of great national calamities. You have had
terrible fires and floods, cyclones, and scourges of yellow fever. Then
too, it has taken relief to Turkey and lately has found work in Cuba.

"I know that you would like to look into Miss Barton's jewel-box. Old
Emperor William himself gave her the Iron Cross of Prussia. The Grand Duke
and Duchess of Baden sent her the Gold Cross of Remembrance. Medals and
decorations from many sovereigns are there--the Queen of Servia, the
Sultan of Turkey, the Prince of Armenia. Never has any American woman been
so loved and honoured abroad, and never has an American woman been more
worthy of respect at home. It must be a great joy to her now, as she sits
in the evening of life, to count her jewels of remembrance, and feel that
she has done so much to win the gratitude of her fellow creatures.

"You came to visit Switzerland because it is the home of many heroes; but
let me tell you, my child, this little republic has more to show the world
than its William Tell chapels and its Lion of Lucerne. As long as the old
town of Geneva stan