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Poetry · Chapter

J. N. Armstrong explained

A brief poetic tribute to J.

What happens

A brief poetic tribute to J. N. Armstrong, manager of Western Union in Chicago, who was wounded at the Marne and recounts a story involving a nurse.

Characters to notice

Key passages

  • He was wounded, you know, at the Marne, And I asked him to spin me the yarn, “It might have been worse But for that little nurse.” He said, and turned red as a barn.

    Armstrong was injured at the Marne and, when asked to tell the story, blushed and credited a nurse for saving him.

    The narrator prompts Armstrong to share his war experience, highlighting his modesty and gratitude.