XXVII
Advice is seldom welcome. Lord Chesterfield.
Men give away nothing so liberally as their advice.
Rochefoucauld.
I do not like giving advice; it is incurring an unnecessary responsibility. Beaconsfield.
Those who give bad advice to the prudent both lose their pains and are laughed to scorn. Phaedrus.
I pray thee cease thy counsel, which falls into my ears as profitless as water in a sieve. Much Ado About Nothing.
Clara Barton—in her 77th year—followed to the fever ridden tropics, to lead in the relief work on Spanish battle grounds.
Grand Rapids (Mich.) Herald.
In Cuba one saw only
Nodding plumes over their bier to wave,
And God’s own hand in that lonely land
To lay them in their grave. Clara Barton.
Mr. Cottrell, private secretary of Clara Barton, says: “Miss Barton was the means of saving thousands of lives in Cuba. She was a small, unostentatious woman, very quiet in her demeanor and spoke in a soft, sweet tone. Her habits were simple, but she had a great capacity for organization work.”
New Orleans (La.) Times-Democrat.
My post is the open field between the bullet and the hospital.
Clara Barton.
Does Not Need Any Advice
At Santiago Miss Barton approached Admiral Sampson and said, “There is some doubt about our being able to unload.”
“Miss Barton,” replied Sampson, “Tell the world that the Red Cross Society does not need any advice. We only need an opportunity. If any trouble happens you, let me know.”
On one of the boats in the harbor of Santiago, the following conversation took place between a Major-Surgeon and Clara Barton:
Major: “You have been at the front?”
Clara Barton: “Yes, Major.”
Major: “I should think you would find it very unpleasant there.”
Clara Barton: “Such things are not supposed to be pleasant.”
Major: “What do you go for? There is no need of your going there; it is no place for women. I consider women very much out of place in a field hospital.”
Clara Barton: “Then I must have been out of place a good deal in my lifetime, Major, for I have been there a great deal.”
Major: “That does not change my opinion; if I had my way I would send you home.”
Miss Barton: “Fortunately for me, if for no one else, Major, you have not your way.” Major: “I know it, but again that does not change my opinion. I would send you home....”
Miss Barton: “Good morning, Major.”
“I am with the wounded,” flashed along the wire
From the Isle of Cuba swept with sword and fire.
Angel sweet of mercy, may your Cross of Red
Cheer the wounded living; bless the wounded dead.