WORLD WAR STORIES
Reading edition
BY
JOHN GILBERT THOMPSON
PRINCIPAL OF THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL FITCHBURG, MASS.
AND
INEZ BIGWOOD
INSTRUCTOR IN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL FITCHBURG, MASS.
SILVER, BURDETT AND COMPANY BOSTON NEW YORK CHICAGO
Copyright, 1918, by SILVER, BURDETT AND COMPANY
PREFACE
Books and articles in astounding numbers have been published in the past four years to explain the World War and to inform the public as to its progress. Societies and agencies of the government have urged that every available means be employed to inform the American people of the reasons for the war and the issues at stake; and much has been done for adults.
Little or no thought seems to have been given to youthful readers who are beginning to think for themselves, and whose first thinking should be properly guided, for they are at an age when tales of heroism and daring make a strong appeal. In many homes the children are the only readers, and in nearly all, their thinking and reading exercise a powerful influence.
This volume of stories of the World War is prepared to meet this important need, and to set before the pupils the war's unparalleled deeds of heroism, with the aims and ideals which have inspired them, and which have led American youth to look upon the sacrifice of life as none too high a price to pay for the liberation of mankind.
It may be used as a reading book or as an historical reader for the upper grammar grades. While great care has been employed to secure accuracy of fact and to select material of permanent value, the stories are written in a manner that will appeal to children.
The thanks of the authors and publishers are hereby expressed to those who have kindly granted permission to use copyrighted material.
CONTENTS
PAGE
1. The Shot Heard Round the World 1
2. A King of Heroes 20
3. The Defense of Liége 31
4. The Destruction of Louvain 38
5. Cardinal Mercier 43
6. And the Cock Crew Amelia Josephine Burr 57
7. A Belgian Lawyer's Appeal 59
8. Edith Cavell 61
9. Son Robert W. Service 66
10. The Case of Serbia David Lloyd George 68
11. The Murder of Captain Fryatt 71
12. Rupert Brooke 76
13. "Let Us Save the Kiddies" 81
14. The Charge of the Black Watch and the Scots Greys 91
15. The Battles of the Marne 94
16. The Queen's Flower 105
17. At School Near the Lines 108
18. A Place in the Sun 112
19. Marshal Joffre 119
20. The Hun Target—The Red Cross 129
21. "They Shall Not Pass" 140
22. Verdun Harold Begbie 146
23. The Beast in Man 147
24. When Germany Lost the War New York Sun 155
25. Carry on! Robert W. Service 162
26. War Dogs 165
27. The Belgian Prince 175
28. Daring the Undarable 182
29. Killing the Soul 189
30. The Russian Revolution 195
31. A Ballad of French Rivers Christopher Morley 207
32. Bacilli and Bullets 209
33. The Torch of Valor Sir Gilbert Parker 216
34. Marshal Foch 223
35. The Mexican Plot 228
36. Why We Fight Germany Franklin K. Lane 242
37. General Pershing 245
38. The Melting Pot 252
39. Birdmen 256
40. Alan Seeger 271
41. Can War Ever be Right? 275
42. What One American Did 293
43. Raemaekers 301
44. The God in Man 309
45. In Flanders Fields Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae 321
46. The World War 322
47. Nations and the Moral Law John Bright 343
Copyright by G.V. Buck. From Underwood & Underwood, N.Y.
President Wilson Announcing to Joint Session of Congress the Severance of Our Relations with Germany