The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1916-10-06


turned his back squarely upon Street
man and faced Sir George. "When |
was drinking Munich beer, / was rath-
er pro-German. But now that I'm
switched to tea I've sort OF swung
over to the allies"
A burst Of laughter, punctuated
with cries of "BravO!' greeted the an
swer.
Turning to them all again, you
see," he explained, II like the English
as individuals, and like n lot Of
their general ways, too. | admire the
easy-going fashion in which they do
business. commend the fact that
they won't talk shop over luncheon.
like their afternoon tea" He smiled
at Miss Wiloughby as he said that
81 like the fact that knights and ladies',
clerks and shopglrls take their half
hour off for II. ! like the way they
respect their own laws-when they de-
eide TO make one they decide at the
same time to keep It. But, collectively,
the English irr'tate me, because they're
so blamed sure they're a little bit su-
perior to all the rest Of the world.
That's annoying, personally, but ! can
and do admire 1t as a great racial
quality that's made 'em win out a
thousand times. If England goes to
war, it'll take the English about a
year before they realize they have
war-they really are slow, you know
but once they wake up to 1t they'll
raise the deuce, and l think they'll
win"
Sage holdings of various heads and
the exchange Of approving glances on
the part of the members Of the little
party-or of all but Henry Streetman
set seal Of appreciation upon
Charlie Browns views.
"Please God, you're right! Sir
George Wagstaff cried fervently, with
show of emotion that was, for him,
most unusual.
"Please God, he isF' Mrs. Falconer
agreed.
81 do hope so! The Germans are so
aggresslveW Ethel Willoughby OBJ
served.
"And so rudel" Georgy added. She
could not forget-much less forgive
having been shouldered off a sidewalk
in Berlin by the kaiser's naughty Off
GERS.
"Ah! But l fancy that pride in ones
country is a universal trait in every
nation" her more moderate father said.
Exactly! And as Mr.. Brown has
pointed out, we English have tenden-
cy to be somewhat superior also" AS
he spoke, Streetman rose. He was be-
coming restless under the calling of
that One-sided discussion of the merits
of the nations.
swell, l hope there isn't any war!'
Guy Falconer said fervently. "If there
is, you can bet your boots I'm not
going near it."
"Guy" Sir George turned upon him
with incredulity writ large upon his
fine face.
"Oh, mean it, Sir George" Guy
insisted shamelessly. "If it comes to
war, this will be a war of millions.
If there are a thousand men killed in
a battle or only nine hundred and
ninety-nine. what difference does 1t
make except to the thousandth man?
None! But If | happened to
be he, it'd represent deuce of a lot
to me, and, with my luck, I'd be the
first man shot anyhow. No,
sir! Military service Is not compul-
sorry in England, thank heaven! And
If there is a war, I'm going to sit
home at my club and discuss very
harshly the mistakes of the war office"
Guys mother regarded him with no
less amazement than did Sir George.
"My son-you're not serious?" she
exclaimed, scarcely believing what she
heard.
"Of course he isr' said Georgy. ~
never saw a man who thought as
much of his own precious hide-so
much more than anyone else thinks of
itv
"If you're quite in earnest, Guy, |
am positively ashamed OF you," Sir
George Wagstaff told him. AS a man
who was high in the councils Of his
country. Sir George did indeed hear
the young mans declaration with
something bordering upon alarm, as
we'll as mere disapproval. II other
English youths should take the same
attitude as Guys, he foresaw endless
trouble for the recruiting stations
"If l were shot," Guy retorted, IL
suppose the fact that | could say,
Now, Sir George is not ashamed of
me- would ease the pain a bit?
No, thank you! l tell you, if worse
comes to worst, shall sail for Cuba"
At that his mother approached him
much as she must have when as
small boy he had been guilty of naugh-
tiness. She thought 1t high time to
assert her authority.
Guy" she said, 81 forbid you to
talk like that"
"Oh now, mother" he remon-
strated.
81 think he's spoOfng," Charlie
Brown told them, as quick to adopt a
new word as he was to detect signs of
on Guys part. "If war
comes, bet he'll go to the front Hes
like the rest Of you Engllsh-half
ashamed to say what he really feels"
The embarrassed Guy faced him
"Oh, say-that's all swankW he re-
"'Swank! That's a good wordp'
Charlie Brown exclaimed. "pm going
to take that back to America, too"
And then, returning to the subject OF
their conversation, who was manifest
Iy Ill at ease, Mr.. Brown continued.