Gilpin observer., 1915-11-25

pIlbOHeTS De pldCeu Ill Lue CeubOT Ol-
flee, open the parcels in his presence.
and, after his inspection, close them
up again. This plan was agreed to,
and 1t worked splendidly. Also one
hundred parcels, the addresses Of
which had been lost under the old
system, were on our suggestion ex-
posed in the camp and speedily re-
claimed by their owners.
According to official instructions
our huts had to be scrubbed twice
monthly; we decided to do this every
week, each of us in turn. Whether
1t was wealthy banker from the city
or a penniless waiter from Soho, each
one did his work without grumbling.
Only one elderly merchant offered five
shillings to anyone willing to do his
share. Not because I do not want
to scrub he explained, but because
for three days after doing so cannot
move without pain in my back A
young fellow consented to do the job
for him for sixpence. Some of the
prisoners received neither money nor
parcels and therefore had to subsst
entirely on the official rations, which,
of course, did not include luxuries.
When Quarrels Break Out.
Everything that tends to keep the
men busy is welcomed, because a cer-
tain amount of nervousness and irrta-
bility is inevitable when thousands of
men are suddenly taken from their
work and forced to live together at
close quarters. Quarrels break out
easily and may quickly assume dan
gerous proportions.
"One afternoon German baker
commented bitterly on the anti-Ger-
man riots in London, which had ru-
ined him. Served you right said
young fellow thoughtlessly. The next
moment he was nearly lynched by the
bakers friends. | managed to get
him surrounded by more peaceable
persons and proposed to call our own
police. Nc. no, the crowd shouted.
Father Ludwig, you go and settle the
quarrel 1T was not difficult task,
as the young man made a complete
apology.
"One fine evening we were standing
outside our hut, contemplating the
starry sky, while our doctor friend
tions. Suddenly a shot resounded. In
a moment there was wild confusion in
the camp and the combined efforts
of all the more responsible men were
required to subdue it. We learned
afterward that the sentry had shot at
man who tried to escape. The ele-
ments of a tragedy or of panic are
always present, and the only antidote
is work.
OF Course There Is Music.
Besides we had music! II is said
that when half dozen Germans get
together some sort of musical society
is sure.to be formed. SO you can imag-
inc that music is fourishing in the
camp. Seeing the number of first-rate
musicians interned, I wondered how
London orchestras could exist at ALL
Excellent choirs and bands have been
formed. and these give performances,
but never without serious prepara-
tion. They know their audience would
not tolerate amateurish efforts. When
the instruments cannot be obtained
from outside they are made in the
camp, and some are weird enough to
arouse the envy of futurist COM
poser! The bandsmen are dressed in
full German military uniform. made in
the camp; even the fabrication of a
'pickelhaube' offers no difficulty when
pots and pans are at hand. Silver pa
per from chocolate and tobacco pack
ing is never wasted, and plays an inn
portant part not only in the making of
uniforms but in the staging of plays.
These also are well rehearsed before
being offered to the public
Every performance is announced
by a band marching through the
grounds and playing loudly to attract
attention. One of the greatest sue
cesses in the show line was the cir
Gus; one day there was an elephant
made of gray blankets and four or
five men. which would have deceived
anyone. It's antics were so truly ele-
phantine that prisoners. English
guards and officers alike, all were in
fits of laughter, especially when the
penny a ride part began and the
trunk disclosed a broomstick as found
dation.
The Poem That Was Rebuked.
Then we had recitation evenings.
A poet among us recited his own work.
significant incident occurred dur
ing that evening. The first numbers
were of a comic character. but the
chief item of the program was a patri-
otic poem-a jubilant recital of how
thousands of Russian soldiers had
been lured into the Masurian bogs and
drowned like rats. 1t was received
with stormy applause. l felt indig-
nant, and, seeing that some of my
table companions also looked uneasy,
| got up and asked permission to say
few words. 1t was granted. l first
congratulated the poet on his skill, but
protested against the spirit of the last
poem, which invited us to gloat over