Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-10

Why. he doesn't even look right In
civilian clothes-isn't built right, some
how. But in uniform he is sure some
fine man"
Sweeney made a false start at SOL
diering, however He went to West
Point as a youngster. although he
didn't graduate. The legionary thought
that Sweeney got as far as the junior
class, although he was not certain
about 1t. Sweeney. never talked Of it.
Then there came a hazing scandal. The
legionary had no details. Sweeney
never referred to it. But other Ameri-
cans who had known Sweeney had CIV
en- the legionary the vague idea that
fellows had got away with it, NE
thought. They tied a can to Sweeney.
You newspaper men ought to re.
member when Sweeney was fired,
said he.
Newspape, men so often disappoint
people who rely on them, the legionary
obviously reflected Anyhow. Sweeney
didn't give up just because he had been
chased ssnt out Of the American army He He
his class, Sweeney did. The legion
airy thought that he took rooms
in the village and was coached by
friends in his former class. but again
he was not sure. He gave himself a
tions that his classmates were asked
and passed his own examination tri-
He fenced and rode and
boxed, just as the other fellows did,
ing. than they thought of doing. He
had no outside interests to take his
mind off his work
Then he batted around the world
When this one came along he joined
the foreign legion. They made him
sergeant"
Crawled Over Dead Men.
One night another soldier Of the
legion-a Czech-was taken by Swee-
ney on scouting trip. Sweeney could
not understand any German. but that
made no difference. He told the Czech
where to go, and the pair crawled
about on the ground between the
trenches, sometimes pulling them
selves over the bodies of dead men, I'M
I'll they got SO near the German trench
es that they could hear every word that
was said. They were mighty lucky.
the legionary said. They stayed out
until daybreak, and came back with
important information. 1t was so val
liable that a German movement was
frustrated and French regiment
saved. The Czech private was given
a sergeantcy in reward.
1T looked as though Sweeney was up
against it, said the legionary. Mem
oSiS VI tHc lolc lSIl lSSloil dIc HoI given
you see. 1 don't know
why. They just aren't. They have
given Sweeney the cross, but he pro-
tested.
I'D like to have it, all right said
he. but what I want is a commission.
That's what 1 Joined the army for. Sol
1iering is my business. The sooner 1
get to be of commissioned rank, the
sooner 1 can get another step. 1t isn't
fair to promote the Czech and not
promote me-"
If there is one particular thing about
the Frenchman, said the legionary, it
IS that he is square as a die. AS soon
as Sweeney's view of the case was put
before headquarters he got his step.
Now he's Lieut.. Sweeney. and the
egionary says he will have another
star on his sleeve when the war is
over. or else he will be dead.
What does Sweeney think of the
French soldiers?" some one asked.
He says they're the best fighting
men in the field today" said the legion
Try. bar the Canadians. No soldiers
Gould be better than they are. He says
he Frenchman is as good fighter as
he American is. and that's the best
,Ver. He says the spirit that marked
his nation under Napoleon has been
revived. In the next generation the
French will be the military nation of
Europe.
"That's what Sweeney says"