The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-05-18
A British
Volunteer
BY F. A. Mitchell

thence TO Belgium. In six months he
returned under very different circum-
stances. There were no crowds TO
greet him. Instead of the handker-
chiefs waving from the windows and
the sounds of martial music many of
the blinds were closed. and there was
only the rattle of the cab in which he
was driven through the streets.
Sackville had lost a foot and ankle
and was discharged from the ranks.
He had been among the first to re
spond to his country's call. leaving the
service of a bank in which he was
employed, to join the colors. His posi-
ton in the bank was still open to him.
but it required him to stand all day
paying checks, and he was unable to
fill it. Indeed, there were few posi-
ton that occurred to him as suited to
his altered condition was that of chauf
feur. He was gentleman without
means and shrank from doing mental
work, but it was the best he could do
and he hobbled to a garage and Sc
cured position.
One day he was directed TO go to u
hotel and call for Miss Amelia Duncan,
an American young lady travelling with
her invalid mother, who was confined
to her room under her daughters care,
assisted by a nurse. The daughter
fhA oil IN 81
out every day when the weather add
mitted. This was not very often, for
the sun seldom shines in England. She
had called for reliable chauffeur
whom she might use when required.
On this first afternoon that Sackvile
drove Miss Duncan they became cor
nered in a street crowded with people
who were witnessing the departure of
troops for the war Drums were beat
ing, flags were flying, and the air was
filed with cheers.
Isn't 1t splendid" said Miss Dun
can, partly to herself and partly to
her chauffeur IF | were man |
would surely go to the war"
And either leave your bones in Bel
GUM or return minus an arm or leg
or an eye or perhaps all three replied
the chauffeur.
"Well, l neverr exclaimed Miss Dun
can in disgust. "Have you no patriot
sm?"
Il don't believe IN nation relying
solely on its best men in case Of war
| think every man of proper age should
be liable to military duty. These sol
diers are all volunteers"
That's what / like about them" re
piled Miss Duncan. "Our war between
the states was fought by volunteers
Our manifest men enlisted"
"And bore the brunt Of the struggle
for two years. when those on the north
ern side began to pay the laggards to
enlist Just before the war closed men
were enlisting and deserving to get the
bounty. Do you consider that justlceT'
Il don't know anything about that
war. was not born till many years
after 1t had closed 1t must be nice to
be one of those noble men who volun-
teer. Don't you think so2"
mo, don't"
Then you admit that you belong to
the class of laggards?"
II don't admit that either. | believe
In copscription.
There's nothing noble in a man GO
ing to war because he is obliged to go. =
war is duty not something TO be
proud of 1t is a horror. Did you ever
see men standing In line ready to face
death?''
mo. of course not"
Every face is serious, solemn. Not
a word is spoken. They are like pris.
oners facing firing squad, only with
a prisoner death is certain, while with
| them 1t is probable. or what is worse
they may expect to be manned for life. "
Are they cowardsT
mo; they are men, but when the
fight is on they cease to be men and
become wild beasts"
Its shame for you to talk in this
way. Instead OF sitting comfortably
in an auto you should be among those
noble fellows marching to war"
at will not be so fine when they
return"
''They will come back victorious with
| their battle stained banners flying.
greeted with the applause they de-
serve"
"Many OF them will never come back.
| Many will hobbe back. If the regI-
ment returns as unit most OF its mem
bers will he men who are not marching
now. Quite likely they Will be con
scripts; possibly they win have been
paid to GO
By this time the troops had passed
and the auto was released. Miss Dun
can ordered her chauffeur 60 drive her
to her hotel She did not like his talk
and resolved not 70 have him drive
her again. When she alighted he got
down and handed her out She noticed
! that he limped.
whats the MISTER with your footf''
| she asked.
ITS made OF wood"
How did you lose the real oner'
Fighting In Belgium"
"Oh. how horriber'
Then. red as a rose. she stalked into
! the hotel.
The next day the young lady sent for
4 Sackvllle 10 drive her out again, and.
after berating him for not telling her
that be had been a soldier. she forgave
! him. After all, be didn't lose so much
by serving his country He lost foot.
I but he gained an American heiress for
/ n wife