Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-12-07
en- people.

Trench 27-the English trench which
Streetman had indicated upon his map
as being the keystone to the enemy's
defense--lay in the first line of the
British. All unconscious Of any spe
cial designs that the Germans might
have against their particular position,
the Tommies stationed there proceed
ed to put things in shape for the gen
eral action that was bound to come.
After completing their grim arrange
ments, there was little for them to do
for the time being. except rest. And
that they were glad enough to do,
after their herculean exertions of
those first days Of the war. That there
was worse ahead of them they did not
was no reason why they should not
make themselves at home.
1t was night-the second night fol-
lowing that fatal day when the Ger
mans descended upon the Lion dor
and robbed Jeanne Christophe of her
father. In Trench p four soldiers
were playing poker under the shelter
Of bombproof hut that they had con-
structed by digging into a side of the
ditch. Dirty, unshaven, begrimed,
they were nevertheless enjoying to
the full their well-earned respite And
the Pickering light of the candle which
stood upon their rude table revealed
no fear upon the face of any of them.
AT either end of the trench two men
stood guard while close at hand a
perlscOpe lay upon a makeshift bench,
ready for instant use in case the
watchers should detect any unusual
and suspicious movements in front Of
them. Out there beneath the stars the
first outpost of the enemy had already
dug itself in. And in testimony of
their alertness the Germans cOntinu-
ally played a searchlight upon the
British position. That prying shaft Of
light was never still. Now it swept
the top of Trench q, now fickered
upon tree close by, and then
searched the intervening ground be-
tween the two lines in an effort to de-
tect some venturesome observer.
To the four privates in the bomb
proof shelter there came a momentary
interruption, In the shape of lieu
tenant, who sauntered into their
trench from the left. This youthful
officer, whom they had already voted
"a bit Of alright" observed them
pleasantly.
Hello, boysv' he said.
They sprang up and saluted, MUIR
muring Good evening, STRIP
''How's the gamer the lieutenant
inquired.
Henry, there, is winning all our
cigarettes" one of the men said.
The young officer smiled. And then.
drawing a pencil and a postcard from
his pocket, he seated himself and pro-
ceeded to write a note to a young
woman in London. For Guy Falconer
had consistently kept bis promise to
write Georgy every day.
The privates promptly resumed their
poker game.
II raise 1t one cigarette" one Of
them said. And again Guy smiled.
1AC was SIoO IlfoI HIS DOyS were ell
jOying themselves.
So engrossed did Lieutenant Fal-
coner become in his note to his lady
love that he did not notice when his
captain appeared, in the company of
a civilian. Captain Montague paused
and turned to his guest
snow, Mr.. Brown" he said, you're
in the first line Of the English trenches
Trench 27-and I may say you're
the only American correspondent who
has had this experience"
Charlie Brown looked about with
undisguised interest.
"And I rather butted in he re-
marked.
"Well, as long as you stumbled in
side our lines, you might as we'll see
something, if you give me your word
not to write anything"
That's a nice thing to say to a
newspaper man." Charlie retorted.
But l have your word2"
81 s'pose SOL" 1t cost Nh. Brown
some effort to promise that He saw
the markings Of q bully scoop before
him. And he hated to forego such a
wonderful opportunity.
1.-The closer you are to the front, the
less you know Of what's happening"
Captain Montague resumed, Except
on your own very small square Of a