Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-11-11
Under Fire
BY WILLIAM CHANDLER


the morning. when the people In the
town OF Yarmouth. on the east coast
Of England. were wrapped in siumber.
there sounded on the still air the
stroke Of bell Hundreds, thousands
Of persons started up and listened.
Within a few seconds there was an
ether and another stroke. until 1t was
evident thai not the hour was being
struck. but IN alarm. Then on the
streets were heard sounds of men run,
ming. followed by cry.
Turn out. The Germans"'
Then boom. and In few seconds
a deafening explosion.
The colonel Of the woman's regiment
jumped out Of bed and into her uni
form, descended to her headquarters
on the floor below, where members OF
her staff were dressing, and seeing
that there was delay said sharply:
Come, get move on! Never mind
that switch. Captain Blake Say. you,
there, Miss Brewster! What are you
looking for-~a bracelet? Never mind
ornaments. The enemy Is upon us.
and there's no time to lose. Genevieve
Mainwaring, put down that hand glass,
turn out and help call the regiment to
arms"
Each woman. as soon as she had fin
ished her toilet, dashed out and away.
Meanwhile members Of the force came
hurrying In. some jabbing pins into
their alpine hats. some buttoning their
jackets. some pressing their hands
upon their back hair to make sure that
1t was fast. As they arrived the com
panies fell In under their sergeants,
and soon Il line consisting of fully half
the roster was drawn up In the street.
Then the colonel, standing before the
colors. gave the order to break into
column, and placing herself at the
head cried In loud mezzo soprano
voice:
"Forwardr'
Meanwhile number Of shells from a
German war vessel were bursting here
and there, some Of them doing serious
damage. The woman's regiment was
marched to the street fronting ON the
water and came to rest During the
march it was Joined by members who
had not arrived at the armory in
time to join at the departure Of the
corps. Some of these ladies were
buekling on their accouterments. 9th
ers adjusting their hastily donned
al A nrth N
slippers. one Of which she lost and
was endeavoring 10 regain. Another
as she ran was followed by her poodle,
who banked as he gGlloped after her.
evidently thinking his mistress was
doing 1t all for his sport
When the regiment was drawn up in
line 1t was quite light In the otfing a
German cruiser was steamlng slowly
past the town. The soldiers did not
recognize her as ship Of war, and
since she was not firing there was a
ripple Of chat along the line:
do lend me hairpin." Take care
You're pointing that gun right In my
face" Isn't 1t horrid Of the Germans
to wake US up Mt this time of the
morning?" What's 1t all about? |
don't see anything of an enemy. They
must have gone home"
Suddenly there was a fash on the
cruiser. followed by report, and n
shell came shriesSing over the water.
1t struck house back Of the regiment,
exploded, and the defamation was fol
lowed by falling brick and mortar.
Conversation stopped at once. The
babel Of voices was hushed as Ii 1t had
been shut Off by lightning. But not for
long.
MY goodness gracious." Isn't that
awful" '"The horrid things'' ''Oh,
land, that noise must have Weakened
my baby"
Another shot came, struck the ground
sloning to the sea hundred yards be-
fore the line, and there was rain OF
fragments But fortunately the she'll
had struck too far in advance. That
part OF the line before which it fell
broke away. but was quickly rallied by
| the officers.
The ladies' stood their ground like
| heroines till the shooting ceased and
| the cruiser. turning her bow eastward
steamed away Then IL seemed that
| be,llam had broken loose all along the
| line, The color bearer tainted. but
| the colors were picked up by woman
| Of sterner stuff and held In their former
| position. A few shrieks arose from
| different parts OF the line, but the
principal din was composed OF ex-
| CARNATIONS, shouts. cries of horror or
victory mingled with maledictions on
| the Germans, Strange to say, there
| was much more fear now that they
were steaning away than when they
| were sending those horffd shells"
| While the cruiser was growing less
| In the distance the colonel rode along
the line and stopping In the center
halted and made a short speech con.
graduating the women on their spien-
did behavior under fire, Then she gave
| the order bringing the regiment into
column OF platoons and started them
for the armory. ..... ...... r..
All would hare gone well for the
eciat Of the women's behavior had II
| not been for some boys whom ever
| German shells could not turn from
4 -. H. r. ~ ~ =