The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-03-15
SOLDIERS PATH NOT
STREWN WITH ROSES
AT LEAST ELMER WILLIAMS
DID NOT FIND 1T so.
Returns from Regular Army Ser
vice with Stories Of Military Life
That are Anything but Glorious.
No More u. s. A. for Him.

iHdt are anything Dut UIOTiOuS.
No More u. s. A. for Him.
After about year of service in
the army of his Uncle Samuel, Ell
mer Williams has returned to Clio
with his glittering illusions shatter-
ed, his dreams of military glory
vanished like the SHOWS of ycster
year." and the idea that Clio isn't
such a bad place after all.
He says that any young man who
is fascinated by the glittering uni
form of the recruiting sergeant and
the gaudy posters used to advertise
the glories of life in the army had
better think again before he en-
lists. Many young men think that
all soldier has to do is dress up in
a nice new uniform with lot of
shiny brass buttons on it, and enjoy
a sort of personally conducted Ray
mond and Whitcomb tour to see all
the sights Of "our glorious country
and IFS island possessions" under
the loving care of Uncle Sammy,
but Elmer found things slightly diff
ferent.
After spending couple Of weeks
at Columbus, Ohio, he was sent to
Fort Sam Houston, in Texas, where
he remained for nearly six months
and began to find out what life in
the army really is. Meals on the
train consisted of two small pieces
of bread and hunk of corned beef,
and no fresh water was put aboard
the train after leaving Columbus.
We hear a great deal about the
variety and plenty of the United
States army ration, but in Fort Sam
Houston this boasted ration con-
sisted principally of beans, black
strap molasses, and hard tack. The
other things we're generally con-
spicuous by their absence, and the
men have a very strong suspicion
that the money which is supposed
to be spent in buying good food for
the soldiers finds its way in some
mysterious manner into the pock-
! cts of the officers.
When things got little too raw,
and the complaints of the men be-
gan to grow loud, the food would
improve for short time and then
gradually drop back to the old pro-
gram Of bcas, hard tack and mo-
lasses. Butter, the men never saw,
except what was left over from the
officers table.
One of the entertainments that
Uncle Sam provides for his soldier
boys is what is known as "prac-
tice march," On one of these occa-
sions the men had breakfast of
the usual beans, ETC., then they,
hiked in heavy marching order, fif-
teen miles, over the beautiful Texas
highways, halted and enjoyed a
bountiful lunch consisting Of one
sandwich and drink Of wafer, and
then hiked fifteen miles more. The
men all agreed that it was a very
enjoyable occasion--if you like that
kind Of thing. While on the march
the men were not allowed to fall
out TO gel even a drink of water
from well.
The alluring literature put out by
the war department enlarges upon
the great chance the soldiers have
to save money, but when a soldier
tries to save he finds that there is
something known to army men. as
an "Elsie" or "blind." This
blind is a fine which seems gener-
ally to be inflicted for the purpose
Of preventing the soldier boys from
saving up too much coin Of the
realm and thereby causing strin-
gency in the money market.
If man goes to town and il is
discovered that he has come back
10 camp with money In his pocket,
he is pretty sure to be charged with
cipline and receive blind" Of Eve
some petty infraction Of army dis
dollars or more with perhaps a few
days in the guard house TO enable
him to repent Of his sins. Missing
a call will produce a ''blind" Of
from five TO twenty dollars; failing
out Of the ranks while on practice
march will also produce blind
OF like proportions, and other
breaches Of discipline result in
blinds" Of various sizes. Yes, the
soldier has great chance to save
money.
One soldier wanted some postage