The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-11-30
A British
Volunteer
By r. A. Mitchell


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
o1Iy 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 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 70
fill it. Indeed, there were 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
work, but it was the best he could do
and he hobbIed to a garage and Sc
cured position.
One day he was directed TO go TO q
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
~ n taf
needed the air and proposed to drive
out every day when the weather ad
mitted This was not very often. fol
the sun seldom shines in England. She
had called for a reliable chauffeur
whom she might use when required.
On this first afternoon that Sackville
drove Miss Duncan they became cor
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 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, l neyerr exclaimed Miss Dun,
can in disgust Have you no patriot,
ism?"
81 don't believe in nation relying
solely on its best men in case of war.
think every man of proper age should
be liable to military duty. These sol
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
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 justice?'
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 SOP
"No, DON'T
Then you admit that you belong to
the class of laggards?"
ST don't admit that either. / believe
in conscription.''
There's nothing noble in a man go
Ing to war because he is obliged to go.
war is duty. not something to be
proud of. 1t is a horror. Did you ever
see men standing in line ready to face
death?'
mo. of course not
Every face is serious, solemn. Not
a word is spoken. They are like pris
oners facing firing squad. only with
a prisoner death is certain, while with
them it is probable, or, what is worse
they may expect to be MANNED for life. :"
Are they towards 2"
No; they are men, but when the
fight is on they cease to be men and
become wild beasts.
Its 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;
Tt viii 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 If the regi-
ment returns as unit most of its mem
bers will be men who are not marching
now. Quite likely they will be con.
scripts: possibly they will have been
paid to go.
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 Der out. She noticed
that he iimped
WHAT'S the matter with your foot?
she asked
Its made Of wood
How did yon lose the real one?"
Fighting in Belgium.
.0h. how horrible
Then. red as rose. she stalzed into
the hotel
The next day the young lady sent for
Sackville TO drive her ont again. and
after berating him for not telling her
thai i;e tl;ti ieen saidier. she forgave
him AFTER All lie didn't lose so much
by ~e~vin. his country He lost a foot
hr: - Gained az american heiress for
a W."