The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-05-22
A British
Volunteer
By F. A. mitchell


stances. There were no crowds TO
greet him. Instead of the handker-
chiefs waving from the windows and
the sounds of martial music many of
the blinds were closed. and there was
only the rattle of the cab in which he
was driven through the streets.
Sackville had lost foot and ankle
and was discharged from the ranks
He had been among the first to re-
spond 10 his country's call, leaving the
service of a bank in which he was
employed. TO join the colors. His posi-
ton in the bank was still open to him.
but 1t required him to stand all day
paying checks, and he was unable TO
fill it. Indeed, there were few posi-
lions he could fill. The only occupa.
ton that occurred to him as suited to
his altered condition was that of chauf-
feur. He was gentleman without
means and shrank from doing mental
work, but 1t was the best he could do.
and he hobbled to a garage and Sc
cured position.
One day he was directed to go to
hotel and call for Miss Ameha Duncan,
an American young lady travelling with
her invalid mother, who was confined
to her room under her daughters care,
assisted by a nurse. The daughter
needed the air and proposed to drive
out every day when the weather ad-
mitfp6 This nftnn
the sun seldom shines in England. She
had called for Il reliable chauffeur
whom she might use when required
On this first afternoon that Sackville
drove Miss Duncan they became cor
nered in n street crowded with people
who were witnessing the departure of
troops for the war. Drums were beat
ing, flags were flying. and the air was
filed with cheers.
Isn't 1t splendidr' said Miss Dun
can, partly to herself and partly to
her chauffeur IF | were man /
would surely 20 to the war"
And either leave your bones in Bel
GUM or return minus an arm or a leg
or an eye or perhaps all three" replied
the chauffeur.
We'll, | never!' exclaimed Miss Dun
can In disgust. Have you no patriot
ism?'
II don't believe IN a nation relying
solely on its best men in case of war
think every man of proper age should
be liable to military duty. These sol
diers are all volunteers"
I
piled Miss Duncan. Our war between
the states was fought by volunteers
Our manifest men enlisted"
"And bore the brunt of the struggle
for two years. when those on the north.
ern side began to pay the laggards to
enlist just before the war closed men
were enlisting and deserving to get the
bounty. Do you consider that justice?"
II don't know anything about that
war. | was not born till many years
after 1t had closed. 1t must be nice to
be one Of those noble men who volun-
teer Don't you think SOP
mo, don't"
Then you admit that you belong to
the class of laggards"
II don't admit that either. believe
In couscriptiOn."
There's nothing noble in a man go
ing to war because he Is obliged to 60"
WAR Is duty, not something to be
proud of. 1t Is u horror. Did you ever
see men standing in line ready to face
death?"
mo, of course not"
Every face Is serious, solemn. Not |
word is spoken. They are like prls- |
oners facing a firing squad. only with |
prisoner death is certain, while with |
them It is probable, or, what is worse,
they may expect to be MANNED for life"
Are they cowards2"
"NO; they are men, but when the |
fight Is on they cease to be men and |
become wild beasts"
tits a shame for you to talk In this |
way. Instead Of sitting comfortably |
In an auto you should be among those
noble fellows marching to war"
1T will not be so fine when they |
return"
"They will come back victorious with
their battle stained banners flying,
greeted with the applause they de-
serve"
MANY Of them will never come back.
Many will hobble back. If the regl-
ment returns rs unit most OF its men,
bers will be men who are not marching
now. Quite likely they will be con-
scripts; possibly they will have been
paid to 60"
BY this time the troops had passed
and the auto was released Miss Dun
can ordered her chauffeur to drive her
to her hotel. She did not like his talk
and resolved not to have him drive
her again. When she alighted he got
down and handed her out She noticed
that he limped
What's the matter with your footT"
she asked.
ITS made of wood"
How did you lose the real oner'
Fighting in Belgium"
"Oh, how horriblew
Then, red as rose, she stalked into
the hotel.
The next day the young lady sent for
Sackville to drive her out again, and.
after berating him for not telling her
that he had been soldier, she forgave
him. After all, he didn't lose so much
by serving his country. He lost foot,
but he gained an American heiress for
a wife
Materials in BattIeship.