Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1915-02-18
6he
Empty Sleeve
An Episode Of the European
War.
By MARTHA v. MONROE.


| A young man in khaki uniform step
ped toward a cab standing by the curt
in Oxford circus, London, and was
met at the cab door by tall, athletic
looking man in a cutaway coat and
silk hat. The gentleman looked about
him for another vehicle but, not see
ing any, said to the young soldier:
Perhaps if we happen to be going
the same way we can both use the
cab"
I'm gong to Westminster abbey"
and 1 go to Downing street That
will be very little out of the way if at
all. Get in
The youngster entered the cab, fol-
lowed by the other, who first gave
some directions that the soldier did
not hear.
care you a resident Of London?" ask
ed the young man by way of opening
conversation.
II am"
"I'm stranger I'm from Canada.
| came over with the troops that land
ed the other day. I've got leave for
the day to go sightseeing. l shall take
in the abbey first"
you'll find it very interesting
by the bye, you, being Londoner,
can perhaps tell me how to get to this
| place" And he handed the gentleman
sitting beside him paper on which
| was written the name of suburban
town.
ITO go there you take the Padding
ton station. Tell the driver. He'll
know"
81 can't go today, | have so much to
see. When | go back to Montreal-if
live through the war-everyb body will
ask me- Have you seen this and have
you seen that in Londony and don't
want to say l haven't. So l told the
young lady who lives at that address
she must come to camp to see me in
stead of my taking up the time granted
me for leaves to go out of town on
railway
(Which means that you are engaged
to herr"
That's just what it does mean. She
was brought up in Canada. Her ia
Their came to England year ago
When the war broke out and YOU fell
lows over here called ON us Canadians
to help you out | thought it would be
a good opportunity to come over and
see her So | enlisted
The gentleman cast side glance at
his companion, but said nothing.
"Do you think it will be much of a
| fight" asked the youngster.
"a very big fight
well, don't mind seeing some sery-
ice. l dare say it will be valuable
experience. OF course l don't want to
get killed. Gladys-I mean Miss Ark
right. she's my fiancee. you know she
don't like the idea
"Arkright?' interrupted the gentle
man samuel Arkrishts daughter?'
~ es. Do you know him?''
quite WELL"
MY name is Glover-James Glover
of the til Canadian foot. l suppose
you have met my fiancee?"
"Oh. yes, know Gladys Albright
Nice girl. isn't she?" looking up
wistfully for the strangers approval
of the girl he loved.
GLADYS is Il lovely girl"
BY this time the cab had stopped
and the gentleman got out.
ITO the abbey" he said to the cab
man. handing him the fare then to
the Canadian: Much obliged for ac-
commodating me. When you see
Gladys give her my love"
WHO shall say?"
But before the other could reply he
was buttonholed by n man, and as he
entered the building for which he was
headed half Il dozen others surrounded
him.
Private James Glover visited West
minister abbey. the Tower of London
and various other sights. Wherever he
was recognized as Canadian soldier
he met with kindly greetings. Every
inquiry he made was responded to with
alacrity, and an old gentleman of sew
enty volunteered to take him to see
several curiosities of which he had not
heard. When he returned to camp he
was informed that his regiment would
be moved the next day to a channel
port to be carried to France. He had
barely time to write a brief goodby to
his sweetheart before he turned in fol
the night and was up before the sun
the next morning.
Young Glover found the trenches in
deed an experience. Having come
from cold climate, he stood winter
weather fairly well. His introduction
to natural war was like that of most
other men who for the first time listen
ed to the din of battle. He was bad
ly scared. But they were making vet
Grams rapidly in those days, and the
Canadian soon got that control of
himself which marks the difference be
tween raw recruit and veteran
Then. too, when in the thick of it he
lost consciousness of everything but
what he and his comrades We're do
Fl.n,, 10 ,l..st I'D IL,