en are largely
employed in it. Let us enter the training shop at Lyon, and watch the
work. The wood is being shot out from the sawing-machine in thin strips
and planed on both sides. This is being done by a man, who used to earn
his living as a packer, and suffered an amputation of his right leg. The
boards are assembled in thicknesses of twenty, and cut out by a "ribbon
saw." This is the occupation of a former tile layer, with his left leg
gone. Others employed in the process are one-armed men.

Of carpentry the report from the men is this: "This work seems to
generate good humor and liveliness. For this profession two arms are
almost necessary. It can be practised by a man whose leg has been
amputated, preferably the right leg, for the resting point, in handling
the plane, is on the left leg. However, we cannot forget that one-armed
men have achieved wonderful results."

The profits of the work are divided in full among the pupils as soon as
they have reached the period of production. Each section has its
individual fund box. The older members divide among themselves two
thirds of the gain. The more recently trained take the remainder. The
new apprentices have nothing, because they make no finished product as
yet. That was the rule of the shop. But certain sections petitioned that
the profits should be equally divided among all, without distinction.
They said that among the newcomers there were many as needy as the
older apprentices.

The director says:

"This request came from too noble a sentiment not to be granted,
especially as in this way we are certain that our pupils will see to the
discipline of the workshops, being the first concerned that no one shall
shirk."

He adds:

"I wish to cite an incident. One of the pupils of the group of
shoemakers, having been obliged to remain over a month in the hospital,
had his share fall to nothing. His comrades got together and raised
among themselves a sum equal to their earnings, so that his enforced
absence would not cause him to suffer any loss. These are features one
is happy to note, because they reveal qualities of heart in our pupils,
much to be appreciated in those who have suffered, and because they show
that our efforts have contributed to keep around them an atmosphere
where these qualities can develop."

The war has been ingenious in devising cruel hurts, robbing the painter
of his hand, the musician of his arm, the horseman of his leg. It has
taken t