The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1915-09-30
Under IRE
By WILLIAM CHANDLER

0
town Of Yarmouth. on the east coast
of England. were wrapped IN slumber
there sounded on the still air the
stroke of a bell. Hundreds, thousands
of persons started up and listened
Within a few seconds there was an
other and another stroke. until it was
evident that not the hour was being
struck, but an alarm. Then on the
streets were heard sounds Of men run.
ming. followed by cry.
Turn out, The Germansr'
Then a boom, and in a few seconds
deafening explosion.
The colonel OF the woman's regiment
jumped out OF bed and into her uni
form, descended 10 her headquarters
on the floor below. where members of
her staff were dressing, and seeing
that there was delay said sharply:
Come. get move on! Never mind
that switch. Captain Blake. Say, you.
there, Miss Brewster. Wnat are you
looking fora bracelet? Never mind
ornaments. The enemy IS upon US,
and there's no time to lose. Genevieve
Mainwaring. put down that hand glass.
turn out and help call the regiment to
arms"
Each woman. as soon as she had fin
ished her toilet. dashed out and away
Meanwhile members Of the force came
hurrying in. some jabbing pins into
their alpine hats. some buttoning their
jackets. some pressing their hands
upon their back hair to make sure that
it was fast As they arrived the com
panieS fell in under their sergeants.
and soon line consisting of fully half
the roster was drawn up in the street
Then the colonel, standing before the
colors. gave the order to break into
column, and placing herself at the
head cried in a loud mezzo soprano
voice:
Forward
Meanwhile a number Of shells from
German war vessel were bursting here
and there, some Of them doing serious
damage The woman's regiment was
marched to the street fronting on the
water and came TO rest. During the
march it was Joined by members who
had not arrived at the armOry in
time to join at the departure of the
corps. Some OF these ladies were
buckling on their accouterments, 9th
ers adjusting their hastily donned
clothing A lady had come forth IN
slippers. one of which she lost and
was endeavoring to regain. Another
as she ran was followed by her poodle.
who barked as he gaiioped after her.
evidently thinking his mistress was
doing it all for his sport.
When the regiment was drawn up In
line il was quite light. In the Offng a
German cruiser was steaming slowly
past the town. The soldiers did not
recognize her as a ship Of war. and
since she was not firing there was a
ripple of chat along the line:
do lend me hairpin" Take care.
You're pointing that gun right in my
face" Isn't it horrid OF the Germans
to wake US up at this time of the
whats it all about? l
don't see anything OF an enemy. They
must have gone home"
Suddenly there was a fash on the
cruiser. followed by a report, and
shell came shrieSing over the water.
It struck house back of the regiment, {
exploded. and the defamation was fol
lowed by falling brick and mortar.
stopped at once. The
babel Of voices was hushed as if it had
been shut OF by lightning. But not for
ong.
My goodness gracious Isn't that I
,wfuil' THE horrid things "Oh. /
and. that noise must have Weakened |
ny babyr'
Another shot came. struck the ground /
doping to the sea a hundred yards be- |
ore the line. and there was rain OF
fragments. But fortunately the shell |
lad struck too far in advance. That /
art of the line before which it fell 1
,roke away. but was quickly rallied by 4
he officers.
The ladies stood their ground like
Ieroines till the shooting ceased and
ne cruiser. IuTuulE her DuN tNtst " dihs
teamed away Then il seemed that
edlam had broken loose all along the
ne. The color bearer tainted. but
he colors were picked up by woman
Z sterner stuff and held in their former
osftion. 4 few shrieks arose from
ifferent parts Of the line. but the
rincipaI din was comDosed Of ex-
shouts, ci Of horror or
ictory mingled with maledictions on
he Germans. Strange TO say, there
ras much more fear now that they
-ere steaming away than when they
-ere sending those horrid shells"
While the cruiser was growing less
the distance the colonel rode along
lie line and stopping in the center
allied and made a short speech con-
the women on their splen-
ID behavior under fire Then she gave
lie order bringing the regiment into
,lumn OF platoons and started them
II the armory.
All would have gone well for the
lat OF the women's behavior had It
ot been for some boys whom even
erman shells could not turn from
leir pranks. The boys tied together
iouse colored rags which they attached