The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1916-12-08
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at tnat- somehow, uont reel any
different" he said.
You would If you stuck your head
over that trench and they happened
to see 1t" the captain told him grimly.
"Well-believe me, I'm not going
to-" said Charlie. aren't they un-
usually quiet tonight?"
Yes, rather! But always before
the evenings over they give us a bit
of fireworks and so for some of our
men with lucky shrapnel or two.
You see. they try to get our range in
the daytime. and then at night they
shoot at the same range"
Charlie Brown and his escort had
not talked long before Guy Falconer
came out OF his abstraction. He raised
his head all at once and looked inquir-
ingly at the civilian. Then he jumped
up and approached Charlie with out
stretched hand.
81 thought | recognized that voicer'
he exclaimed. "Do you remember me.
Charlie Brown"
Hello. Guyp' the delighted Ameri-
can cried. $50 you did come over
to the front. after all? Didn't l say
you would?'
Eyes! | came over with the first
batch-bribed the recruiting sergeant!
And here ! am! But what are
you doing at the front?"
Charlie explained how he had fallen
into the hands OF the Germans, how
they had set him free and started him
frx or-1 lie, D,tk - To-,
nature had revolted; and having hid
den by day and travelled by night, he
had made straight for the place where
he understood the British to be In
trenched.
Mr.. Brown had scarcely finished his
brief recital when there followed an
ominous whistle, which seemed to
! come from over his head. or In the
distance there was a fash and an ex-
plosion.
whats that?" the American asked
"Oh, just one of our shells travelling
somewhere to our friends. the enemy"
the captain informed him.
That will probably start their eve
ming song" Guy remarked.
|
count" Charlie said.
For few minutes they stood there
discussing the war.
whats 1t forT the newspaper man
asked. There's no individual hatred
no great, soul-stirring emotional
crisis behind 1t ALL"
"But England was forced into II.
Captain Montague interposed.
"And l dare say France and Russia
and Austria all feel they were forced
into 1t, too" Charlie replied. That's
the whole trouble. Each nation be.
lieves honestly that it's in the right
and in some way I suppose each OF
them is. don't know-I'm
not a big enough man to attempt to
say. And what good is 1t ALP
ut Is that militarism shall cease
that never again can there be another
war like this" the English captain
told him.
As they talked, a doctor, accompa-
MED by two stretcher bearers, en-.
tered the trench. and, finding that
there was no need for their services
in that quarter, they passed on.
That's the Red Cross" Captain
Montague explained, noticing the jour
nalist's interest In the trio. Following
close upon his words came another OF
those sinister whistles.
That's one of their shellsr' the
captain continued, meaning the Ger.
mans.
At the information Mr.. Brown
promptly ducked and huddled down
upon the bench under the overhang OF
/ the trench.
"You needn't duck, old man! II
wouldn't do you any good" the elder
officer remarked. Anyway, tina,
shell was on its way toward one OF
our batteries" he added, pointing tc
their rear.
swell, now they've started. any.
how" Guy said.
Sometimes they fire only one OF
| two shots-and then again they go or
oil night" his senior officer explained
Stepping to the field telephone
which rang insistently, Captain Mon
| tague received a message from the
battery posted some distance behind
When Guy Falconer learned that some
light bombs were to he let or, be
begged the captain to let him clint
the tree that rose near one end OF the
trench, In order that he might try Il
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 hen warned Guy
that he might get picked on by a Ger
man sniper.
/ "Not = CHANGER Guy protested