The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1916-12-29


begged the captain to let him climb
the tree that rose near one end OF the
trench. In order that he might try to
get the range of the German guns.
The captain did not like the idea.
He had been cautioned not to expose
his men-and especially his officers
unnecessarily. And he warned Guy
that he might get picked off by Ger
man sniper.
"Not chancer' Guy protested.
"Please! It would be ripping really
to do something"
The captain perceived that the in
action Of waiting for an attack was
fast setting Guys nerves on edge. And
at last he gave his consent.
For little time Guy called out di-
rectfons to the captain, who stood at
the telephone relaying Guys instruc-
tons to the battery. In the light fur
nished by the British bombs the youth
full lieutenant carefully watched the
effect of the shells that whistled over
their heads and burst increasingly
nearer to the Teuton artillery.
Fright on a gunw Guy shouted at
last. 81 saw it crumple! That's it!
Keep the range at Twenty-Five fifty"
The words were hardly out Of his
mouth before he came topping from
his perch. The captain and one of the
privates caught the limp figure just be-
fore it struck the ground, and they laid
him tenderly upon the dirt floor Of
Trench q.
They've got him. He's not
dead. though" Captain Monta-
que kneeled beside the lad and bent
over him. And corporal with some
knowledge of frst-aid procedure I'M
dertook to stop Guys bleeding. He
was seriously wounded-that much
was clear. And he was unconscious.
'Beastly dull''-so Guy had been
writing Georgy Wagstaff. lawfully
hot-no excitement. Haven't seen a
German or any decent food. But that
doesn't matter Tell mother I'm being
careful"
Poor kidg' Charlie Brown ex-
claimed. 1t was grim business
war!
"Sad-very sadv' the captain agreed.
Put perhaps he'll pull through; and if
he doesn't-well! forgive me, AFR.
Brown, if / seem heartless-but re-
member! this is new to you and he's
only one, and I've seen SO manyw
Captain Montague noticed that the
American correspondent was white
and somewhat unsteady.
Il feel bit shaken. Do you mind
if go back now?" Charlie asked.
Certainly not!'
eff come across the surgeon or any
Of the Red Cross, you don't mind if
send them back, do you?" Charlie.
wanted to do what he could to help his
friend.
The captain readily gave his assent.
"I'm through with war;" Charlie
Brown said as he shook hands with
Montague. 'Pm off to London. I'll
see his mother there, and that kid girl
Of his-and then go to New York,
where there's no war, thank God! And
you know, Cap, when I'm home, sit
ting at my desk. looking down over
Broadway where war only means some
more headlines on the front page about
some unprOnOunceable places, and you
turn over the paper to see how stocks
closed, or who won the game-when
I'm back there and the war stuff
comes over the wire. I'll be thinking of
you fellows over here under fire, and
I'll be wishing you luck, old man, the
best of luckr' -
The captain thanked him; and they
said good-by. s
Charlie fingered for one last look
at the wounded Guy.
II hope you pull through, old boyw
he said; he knew, though. that Guy
could not hear him. ''Do what you can
for him, won't your" he asked the cap
tain. 81 know his mother. This
whole business is hell, isn't it?"