With Those Who Wait

"With Those Who Wait" by Frances Wilson Huard is a story from the early 1900s that explores what life was like for people during World War I as they anxiously waited for news from the war front. The story begins by painting a picture of a calm and peaceful country, where the narrator remembers enjoyable trips to Château-Thierry, filled with relaxing activities that show off the area's beauty before the war. But it quickly changes to show how the war has turned the once lively town into a ghost of its former self, describing the devastation and the emptying of the town caused by the German army moving closer. Through heartfelt letters and thoughts of regular people and soldiers, the author creates a picture of personal loss and a strong hope, showing the emotional story that affects both those fighting and those left behind, waiting without knowing what will happen.