Semi-weekly herald., 1916-11-20
"wHADDAYMEAN, BORDER
EDUCATIONAL ADvANCES7'
By Webb Miller.

| UNITED Press Staff Correspondent
Ell PASO, Texas, Nov. 15.- In
enumerating the beneficial results of
the mobilization of the national
guardsmen upon the border someone
has dwelt upon the education advan-
tages.
Everyone of the hundred odd
thousand militiamen," they say "will
go back to his home with clearer
knowledge of new section of our
country and an understanding of the
Mexican situation"
| S soon as tie tents ar. up and lie
can get town leave" the newly ar
rived guardsman hurries down to
learn all he can about the Mt yicans
and the situation" see the Famous
International bridge and eaten
glimpse of the turbulent county at
the other end of it. 1t is a thrilling
experience-if the "guardie" has i'm
agination. The solfliers of the pa
troll furnish the educational features.
At first sight of the bridge it is a
bit disappointing. 1t is rickety
wooden structure and the "Silvery
Rio Grande" mentioned frequently in
the popular songs is distinct shock.
1t is neither silvery nor grand. At
this season of the year it is a mere
thread of dirty water meandering
over the sandy river bed. Usually
dozen naked Mexican children are
attempting to get wet or dirtier.
"Huh," sneered Pittsburg guars,
man, "it isn't near as dirty as our
river. With two blotters l could blot
up their dinged river"
After gazing silently at the clus-
ters Of drab adobe huts sprawling up
the sides of the barren mountain
back of the town the newcomer has
a lot of questions to ask This is
where the education b gins.
Say, Pard. are there Ta..' ban
dts over there?"
The nonchalant militiaman on pa
troll regards the seeker after-knowl-
edge with scant interest. He is a
veteran of the border service. These
'rooks" annoy him. He has been on
the border three months.
"Ain't it kinda dangerous doin'
guard duty right across from 'em,"
pursues the undaunted seeker-after-
knowledge.
oval, yes," yawns the veteran.
Eyes we do have a lot of trouble
with them bandits, but one gets used
to it in time"
The ker-after-knowledge throws
an apprehensive glance at the other
side. 1t looks quiet enough. Scores
of shapeless women are towering
over little fires cooking meals on the
shady bank. Vendors of vegetables
and cigaretts are wailing their wares
plaintively. Children in every de.
gree of nakedness are playing in the
sand in the sun.
But at the other end of the bridge
are several sinister dark-faced fig
ures fondling Mausers. They are
leaning against ratings, each with
two-bushel hat pulled over their
eyes. They are the Carranzistas GUS
toms guard. When it is time for
them to go off duty someone will
awaken them.
"Do them fellows ever git to snip
in'?
"Oh, yes.' The veteran casts
sharp look at the opposite bank. eve
watch 'em pretty close. 'They's u.s.
ually not much doin' until after dark.
The newcomer is visibly impressed.
He envies the hardened veteran his
careless demeanor in the face of dam
ger.
"What are them red horse blankets
they wear around their shoulders ?'
The "rooks" thirst for information ir
Unsuitable.
Them? Oh, they call 'em tortil-
las" OF course the rook doesn't know
now that a tortilla is pancake. But
he'll learn border ways fast enough,
Within a month Re will be tutoring
some other "rook" and satisfying his
thirst for knowledge.
It's great life, this border ser
wee, any way you take it--and there
are educational advantages,