Evening star., 1916-07-29

heart when he talks to them. He is
from West Point, and all the men love
him for his gentle ways.
"A rattlesnake was in a fellows bed
the other night and scared him to
pieces. I am not afraid of any Of those
things now. for if you do not think
about them. you will not worry.
You would not know me now. for
I am as brown as Mexican. We are
on guard just across the street from
'sabe English and some of them do
I can say a few words in Spanish now.
You bet it was I who pitched that
game of ball which we won, and
am going to pitch another today. You
see one half of the guard is on leave
while the other half guards the border.
Billie Thompson and l went to church
Sunday. 1t is about as large as st.
Peters in Washington. There is not
any grass or any trees here. SoS1e OF
the Mexicans live in huts and holes in
the ground covered with skins. There
are some good Mexican families here.
The private's life in the army of to-
day Is gentleman's life II he does his
duty. but for myself I have had to chop
two piles of wood in the hot sun for
not doing my duty as I should. Never
theless. 1 have a fine mark, and for
home sake, 1 intend to keep it. You
do not know what home is until you
leave it. that is the way with all the
regiment who can stand more work
than I. We have plenty to eat. We
have steak once day and soup, and
always have tapfoca for lunch. VIZ
have lemonade, and at dinner we have
ice tea. For breakfast we have bacon
and eggs. There is no doubt but what
Uncle Sam is treating us fine, but he
won't pay US. and I am broke.
Last night was the most beautiful
night I have ever seen. The southeast
6~N
rose from the hills and every one in
camp said that it was the largest moon
they had ever seen. This is a beautiful
country at twilight. more SO than the
east It is a beautiful sight to see the
close Of day for soldier. He stands
OF which there are twelve. blow the re-
treat and the band plays The Star
Spangled Banner then the flag goes
down and our days work is over.
Can Read by Moonlight.
You would be surprised to see what
a crack company we have now. 1t is
so per cent better than it was at Laurel
We work from S to 11:30 and from 2 to
5, then we have mess and retreat, and
our days duty is finished. This is a
very beautiful place at twilight and at
night 1t is cool and pleasant and the
moon is SO bright that you can read
by 1t. You can picture me sitting in
my tent at twilight after a hard days
work thinking Of all at home, and dear
old Hyattsville. But I am not sorry
that I came along. I would not have
missed this trip and experience for a
thousand dollars.
IF we should have to fight I would
not be afraid to die for I have to die
some day and why not let 1t be on the
battlefield Think of the glory in be-
ing buried with Old Glory around you
Could ap American boy wish for more?
do not want to die, of course, but ]
am not afraid if l should have to. That
is what gives Company F the name it
has. and also the 1st Regiment, which
the Governor of Maryland called the
bloody fighting first
The 1st Maryland is made up of the
best Of Maryland. Every one has a
true heart and is man. I know that
it was hard for you to part with Ed
and me. but If boys did not enlist what
would become Of our army and navy,
and who would uphold the honor of
our country and defend it in time of
need? We understand that a bunch of
lunatics are across the border coming
toward us, and all of US are anxious
for them to come near enough for us
to take shot at them. / am sure Ed
and l can stand this service without
any trouble. 1 am sure I can, but you
can never tell, SO 1 am going to rap
on wood. Give my regards to Spot
(his dog) and 'Poodley' (his kitten)."