Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-02-23
Ghe
Empty Sleeve
An Episode Of the European
War.
By MARTHA v. MONROE. !
8, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

A young man In khaki uniform STEP
bed toward cab standing by the curD
In oxford circus. London. and was
met at the cab door by a tall. athletic
looking man in Il 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 going to Westminster abbey"
"And l 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.
Are you resident Of LondonT ask
ed the young man by way Of opening
conversation.
II am"
"Tm a stranger. I'm from Canada.
I came over with the troops that land
ed the other day. I've got leave for
the day to 80 sightseeing / 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 80 there you take the Padding
ton station. Tell the driver. He'll
know"
II can't go today, have 30 much to
see. When 60 back to Montreal-if
live through the war-everybody will
ask me. Have you seen this and have
you seen that in LondonT and l don't
want to say haven't SO 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 60 out Of town on a
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 a year ago.
When the war broke out and you fel-
lows over here called en- US Canadians
to help you out thought 1t would be
good opportunity to come over and
see her. So enlisted"
The gentleman cast side glance at
his companion. but said nothing.
do you think 1t will be much Of a
Hght% asked the youngster.
"a very big fight"
"Well, don't mind seeing some serv-
ice. I dare say 1t will be valuable
experience. Of course 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 Arkright's daughter2"
eyes. Do you know him"
"Quite WELL"
my name is Glover-James Glover
Of the til Canadian foot. I suppose
you have met my 6ancee?"
"Oh, yes, l know Gladys Albright"
mice girl. isn't she?" looking up
wistfully for the strangers approval
Of the girl he loved.
"Gladys is 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 &C.
commodating me. When you see
Gladys give her my love"
"Who shall I say?"
But before the other could reply he
was buttonholed by man. and as he
entered the building for which he was
headed half 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 lie 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 channel
port to be Carried to France He had
barely time to write brief goodby to
his sweethear. before he turned in for
the night and was up before the sun
the next morning.
Young Glover found the trenches in
deed an experience. Having come
from a cold climate. he stood winter
weather fairly we'll. 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 1t he
lost consciousness Of everything but
what he and his comrades were do
Ing. When he shot at the enemy he
shot rs he would mt flock Of birds.
not because he had any animosity to-
ward them. but because Of the excite.
ment he wa" under.
One day after long cannonading on
the part Of the allies the order was
given to charge the trenches. Glover
was back Of line Of bayonets moving
at double quick pace across n field
when suddenly be WIS turned COM
pletely round. then fell In heap. The
Germans fire was so murderous that
his comrades. reaching depression In
the earth, dropped while myTiads of
all sorts Of missiles passed over them. |
Then re-enforcements came. passed OH |
and were driven back to the allies
trenches. leaving their dead and
wounded behind them.
That night Glover lay on the battle
field. Now and again the glare Of
searchlights fell on objects about him. |
giving CHASTITY hue to everything and
intensifyinp that on the faces of his