The herald., 1915-12-09
A British
Volunteer
By F. A. Mitchell

Ralph SackVille left London 10 the
paudits of crowds of people who were
viewing his regiment march to the sta
ton TO be entrained for the coast and
thence to Belgium. In six months he
returned under very different circum-
stances. There were no crowds to
greet him. Instead of the handker
chiefs waving from the windows and
the blinds were closed and there was
olly the rattle of the cab in which he
was driven through the streets
Sackville had lost foot and ankle
and was discharged from the ranks
He had been among the first 10 re
spOnd 10 his country's call, leaving the
service of a bank in which he was
employed, 10 join the colorS. His posi-
ton in the bank was still open to him.
but ii required him TO stand all day
paying checks, and he was unable 10
ill IL. Indeed, there were few posi-
tiOns he could fill The only Occupa-
ton that occurred To him as suited to
his altered condition was that of chauf
feur He was gentleman without
means and Shrank from doing mental
work, but il was the best he could do.
and he hObbled to garage and Sc
cured a position.
One day he was directed TO go to a
n lnnnan
an American young lady travelling with
her invalid mother, who was confined
to her room under her daughters care,
assisted by a nurse. The daughter
needed the air and proposed to drive
out every day when the weather ad-
mitted. This was not very often, for
the sun seldom shines in England. She
had called for reliable chauffeur
whom she might use when required.
On this first afternoon that Sackville
drove Miss Duncan they became cor
nered in street crowded with people
who were witnessing the departure of
troops for the war. Drums were beat
ing. flags were flying, and the air was
filed with cheers.
Isn't it splendidr' said Miss Dun
can, partly to herself and partly to
her chauffeur. If | were a man
would surely go to the war"
And either leave your bones In Bel
GUM or return minus an arm or leg
or an eye or perhaps all three" replied
the chauffeur.
well. never" exclaimed Miss Dun
can in disgust. Have you no patriot
ISM"
II don't believe I'm a nation relying
solely on its best men in case of war
l think every man of proper age should
be liable to military duty. These sol
diers are all volunteers"
That's what like about them" re-
piled Miss duncan. Our war between
the states was fought by volunteers
Our manifest men enlisted"
"And bore the brunt Of the struggle
for two years, when those on the north
ern side began to pay the laggards to
enlist Just before the war closed men
were enlisting and deserving to get the
bounty. Do you consider that juSticeT'
II don't know anything about that
war. was not born till many years
after it had closed. 1t must be nice TO
be one of those noble men who volun-
teer. Don't you think so?'
"No. don't"
Then you admit that you belong to
the class of laggards?"
II don't admit that either | believe
in conscription."
There's nothing noble in a man 60
ing to war because he is obliged to GO"
War is a duty. not something to be
proud of. 1t is horror Did you ever
see men standing in line ready to face
deathT'
mo, Of course not"
Every face is serious, solemn Not
word is spoken. They are like pris
oners facing firing squad. only with
a prisoner death is certain. while with
them 1t is probable. or. what is worse,
they may expect to be MANNED for life"
Are they cowardsT'
mo; they are men, but when the
fight is on they cease to be men and
become wild beasts"
"It's a shame for you to talk in this
way. Instead of sitting comfortably
in an auto you should be among those
noble fellows marching to war"
at will not be so fine when they
return"
"They will come back victorious with
their battle stained banners flying.
greeted with the applause they de-
serve"
MANY of them will never come back.
Many will hobble back II the regi-
ment returns as unit most Of its men,
bers will be men who are not marching
now. Quite likely they will be con-
scripts: possibly they will have been
paid to CO."
By this time the troops had passed
and the auto was released. Miss Dun
can ordered her chauffeur to drive her
to her hotel. She did not like his talk
and resolved not 10 have him drive
her again. When she alighted he got
down and handed her out She noticed
that he limped.
whats the matter with your footT'
she asked.
"It's made OF wood"
How did you lose the real onef"
Fighting in Belgium"
4.