The Mary Frances First Aid Book

CHAPTER I. Off to Mexico

OFF TO MEXICO

THE Head Nurse, Miss Bossem, rushed out of the Dolls’ Hospital toward the children. “You’re late, Miss Helpem,” she called to Mary Frances. “Go right on duty rolling bandages for the soldiers who start for Mexico to-day. The troop-train leaves at two-thirty. Hurry, now, or you won’t get them to the station on time.”

Then, turning to Billy, “Get the ambulance ready immediately,” she commanded, and Billy disappeared into the garage.

* * * * *

You see, Mary Frances finished the course in First Aid Nursing with the Red Cross Preparedness Class just before her birthday. Being very proud of her newly acquired knowledge, she wanted to show Billy how much she had learned.

When Billy promised her any favor she could think of as a birthday present, Mary Frances joyfully asked him to spend a whole day at the Dolls’ Hospital in the playroom, pretending they were little kiddies again—that she was Miss Helpem, the assistant nurse, and that Billy was the ambulance driver. To keep his promise, Billy consented.

Just as they stepped into the playroom door, they seemed to grow smaller and smaller, until they were no bigger than the dolls themselves.

Now, go on with the story and see what happened.

* * * * *

Promptly at two-fifteen, Miss Helpem arrived at the station with an ambulance full of bandages, and just in time to see the Brave family bidding good-bye to Private Ima Brave. All the family were there, even Michael, the big bulldog. Private Brave was among the last of the soldiers to board the little train.

“You’ll write from New York, dear,” begged his mother, kissing him for the twentieth time, and slipping a little American Red Cross first-aid outfit in his hand. “Always carry this with you, and remember how your mother loves you.”

“And you’ll send me picture postcards from everywhere, won’t you?” begged little Ibee Brave, standing on tip-toe to get a better view of his tall, straight brother.

“There’s a speck of dust on your uniform,” fussed Soami, his little sister, as she brushed him with her handkerchief.

Private Brave smiled. “We’re not on dress parade, little sister,” he said. “It’s good that khaki doesn’t show the dust, for it’s a dusty country we’re going to.”

“‘It’s a long, long way to Mexico, it’s a long way to go,’” began little Ibee; but at that moment the engine whistled, and his father clasped Private Brave’s hand.

“I am proud of my son,” was all he said.

“And I, of my brother,” Shesa, his big sister, added, with tears in her eyes.

One more whistle, and the little train started down the playroom railroad track.

“We’ll bring the limousine nearer the station,” said Mr. Brave, taking Mrs. Brave’s arm and walking away.

“Father and Mother don’t want anyone to talk with them just now,” said Shesa.

“I don’t see why. Gee, I wish I was big enough to go,” said little Ibee, as he watched the train until the last car turned a curve in the track.

“You’d make a fine soldier, wouldn’t you,” laughed Soami, “when you’re afraid to go upstairs in the dark.”

“Only sometimes,” answered Ibee; “only when the wind blows hard and when it’s not moonlight—and then, not often.”

“Why, Soami, Ibee is real brave,” said Shesa. “Don’t you remember how you were afraid to go down cellar to get some jam last night and Ibee would have gone, if father hadn’t made you go?”

“Yes, and father stood on the landing the whole time you were gone, too, Miss,” declared Ibee triumphantly.

“Yes, that’s so,” acknowledged Soami. “I guess Ibee would make a good soldier—especially a drummer boy. My! he can drum bravely! Did you hear him yesterday, Shesa?”

“Indeed I did,” laughed the sister.

“Yes,” continued Soami, mischievously, “don’t you remember the verses about—

‘A little man bought him a big bass drum, Boom-tid-dee-ah-da-boom! “Who knows,” said he, “When a war might come? Boom-tid-dee-ah-da-boom! I’m not at all frightened you understand, But if I am called to fight for my land, I want to be ready to play in the band. Boom-tid-dee-ah-da-boom!’”

“Come, children,” said their father, driving up, “here’s the car. Hop in.”

CHAPTER II. The Speeders’ Accident

THE SPEEDERS’ ACCIDENT

THE shrill sound of a policeman’s whistle cut the air three times, but the dollsmobile sped on faster than ever.

“I couldn’t catch them at all, at all,” reported the little thin sub-officer, McStoppem, at headquarters.

“Bring my motorcycle, McStoppem,” ordered Chief Arrestem.

“All right, sir,” nodded Officer McStoppem, bringing out the wonderful little toy. “If you take the cross-cut road toward Sandpile Village, you’ll catch them. The number is—here it is, I wrote it down—1492. You can easily remember it—the year Columbus made ‘preparedness’ necessary.”

“Cut out your chatter, McStoppem, and follow me in a hurry,” directed the chief, as he kicked the pedal of the motorcycle to start the engine. “Hand me the paper,” and, snatching it, was off.

“The chief’ll get ’em O.K.,” muttered Officer McStoppem to himself, as he watched the long line of dust and smoke in the wake of the little motorcycle.

* * * * *

Just as Chief Arrestem came into the cross-roads leading to Sandpile Village, the runaway automobile flew past.

“By Jiminy, I don’t wonder McStoppem couldn’t catch them,” he said under his breath, as he put on still more speed. “That man’s lost control of his car, and unless I’m mistaken there’ll be an accident when he comes to that dangerous turn in the road where that big rocking chair stands.”

Meanwhile everybody in the dollsmobile was trying not to be frightened.

“Can’t you slow down a little, Father?” asked Mrs. Brave.

“The brakes won’t hold,” panted Mr. Brave, forcing both brakes on with all his might. “This is dreadful!”

“Gee whiz!” exclaimed little Ibee, looking out the rear window. “Here comes the motor police. He’ll arrest us for speeding.”

“Oh, mercy, we’re coming to Rocking Hill road,” gasped Shesa. “Father, do turn off the power!”

But Shesa spoke too late, and kerr-smash! kerr-bang! kerr-plunk! went the dollsmobile right into the rockers of the rocking chair, turning “turtle” twice, and breaking the beautiful glass windows to pieces. Out of the broken radiator the boiling hot water poured over poor Mrs. Brave’s arm where she lay just as she was thrown.

“Oh, the engine’s on fire!” shrieked little Soami, “and I’m burning to death!”

“Father, Father,” called little Ibee, “come get me out! I’m fast under the car! Come get me out, please! Oh, I’ll be burned to death! Father, oh, my arm hurts! Oh, I can’t move my arm!”

The mother managed to get up when she heard the children call.

“Where’s your father? Oh, where is he?” she cried, and going to the other side of the car, she saw poor Mr. Brave lying amidst a heap of broken glass and wheels and gears. From his head ran a little stream of blood.

“Oh, he’s dead!” she sobbed, but just then he gave a little groan. “Oh, my dear husband,” she exclaimed, “tell me you’re not dead! Tell me you’re not dead!” she begged, unmindful of her own arm.

“I’m dead, Mother,” groaned little Soami. “I just know I’m dead with pain.”

“Well, I’m not!” said little Ibee, “and even though my arm hurts so, I’m going to try to go for help if I can get out from under this car.”

“My, that’s so!” exclaimed the mother. “I myself forgot to be brave. I’ll go for help.”

But just as she spoke, up came Chief Arrestem.

“I saw it all, madam,” he said, “and I stopped to telephone to the hospital for the ambulance.”

“Oh, don’t ’rest us, please,” begged little Ibee. “Please, Mr. Officer, don’t arrest us. We weren’t speeding. Father couldn’t make the brakes hold!”

“Don’t you worry, little chap,” replied Chief Arrestem. “I won’t arrest any of you. Here comes Officer McStoppem on his motorcycle, just as I told him to, and in a minute we’ll have you all out from under.”

“Never mind about me,” said Ibee. “Please get poor Soami out. She’s dead, I think.”

“Quick, McStoppem,” called the chief, “help throw sand on this car to put out the fire!”

It took about ten seconds for the two officers to put the fire out, and even before that, they heard the honk! honk! of the ambulance.

“Here comes the ambulance!” cried Chief Arrestem. “Now, with the driver’s help, we’ll soon be able to lift this car.”

CHAPTER III. First Aid to the Injured

FIRST AID TO THE INJURED

“NOW, all at once,” directed Chief Arrestem. “One, two, three!” and the two officers and the two ambulance men lifted the dollsmobile high up over to the other side of the road.

“Well, friends,” said Officer Arrestem, “if there’s nothing more we can do, we’ll return to our duty.”

“Nothing more, thank you,” the head nurse answered.

The driver had quickly smothered the flames of little Soami’s frock by using the automobile robes.

Continue reading The Mary Frances First Aid Book free in the Wunder reader →