The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-11-12
A British
Volunteer
By F. A. Mitchell

Ralph Sackville left London to the
plaudits 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 sounds Of martial music many of
the blinds were closed. and there was
only the rattle Of the cab In which he
vas driven through the streets.
sackville had lost a foot and ankle
aud was discharged from the ranks.
He had been among the first to re-
spond to his country's call, leaving the
service of a bank in which he was
employed. to join the colors. His posi-
ton in the bank was still open to him.
but it required him to stand all day
! paying checks. and he was unable to
ill it. Indeed, there We're. few posi-
tons he could fill. The only Occupa-
ton that occurred to him as suited to
!! his altered condition was that of chauf-
feur. He was a gentleman without
means and shrank from doing mental
work, but it was the best he could do,
and he hObblcd to a garage and Sc
cured a position.
One day he was directed to go to a
hotel and call for Miss Amelia Duncan,
| 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 adj
mitted. This was not a,ry often. for
the sun seldom shines in England. She
had called for II reliable chauffeur
whom she might use when required.
On this first afternoon that Sackville
drove Miss Duncan they became cor
nered in a 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 1t splendid said Miss Dun
can. partly to herself and partly to
her chauffeur. If were a man !
would surely &c to the war"
And either leave your bones in Bel
or an eye or perhaps all three" replied
the chauffeur.
well. I never!!' exclaimed Miss Dun
can IN disgust. Have you no patriot
ism?"
II don't believe in a nation relying
solely on It's best men in case of war.
l think every man of proper age should.
be liable to military duty. These sok
diers are all volunteers"
: THAT'S what l 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
crn 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 justice:"
Il 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-
,ccr. Don't you think by
NO. / don't" ~
''Then you admit that you belong to
the class of laggards?"
II don't admit that either. believe
in CONSUMPTION"
There's nothing noble in n m;n go
ing to war because lie is Obliged to so.
WAR is n duty. not something to he
proud of. sIt.is &, horror. Did you ever
see mcn stmdingsM line ready to face
! tleath?'
mo. Of course not" M
livery face is serious. solemn. Not
=; word is spoken. They are like pris-
%ni,ers facing q firing squad. only with
II prisoner death is certain. while with
them 1t IL probable, OF. what Is worse.
they may expect to be MANNED for life"
Are they cowards?"
NO: they are c but when the
fight is on they cease to he men and
become wild beasts"
Its q shame for you to talk III this
way. Instead Of sitting comfortably
in an auto you should be among those
mobile fellows marching to war;"
ut will not be &c 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 come back.
Many will hObble back. II the regi-
ment returns as a unit most Of Its mem
bers will he 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 to have him drive
her again. When she alighted he got
down and handed her out. She noticed
that lie limped.
whats the matter with your foot.?:'
xhe asked.
ITS made Of wood" -.
..How did vOu lose the real One?"