The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-28
WHEN IT RAINS, WHY,
THE ARMY JUST SINGS
BY


Headquarters, American Punitive
Expedition, Mexico (via motor truck
to Columbus. n. NJ, Aug. 27,--'The
camp Is a good deal healthier than It
has a right to be. In considering this
do not forget that 1t is due in no
small measure 20 the cheerfulness and
spirit Of the American soldier under
all circumstances"
Thus spoke tho eminent sanitary
expert after he had inspected this
camp and while he was waiting for
the motor truck train that would take
him back to the States. The eminent
sanitary expert carried credentials
from the War Department. a camera
and wore a white stock. He seemed
to be acquainted personally with all
manner OF insects and microbes. call
ing then. Familiarity by their Latin
names
/ But no knew a good deal about hu-
1 man nature, too. witness the state
ment just quoted and witness this
+ day in camp.
/ 1t is raining It has been rainin ing
since morning. 1t began over
/ Pajartta mountain and swept a tor
rent down on the camp, The rain Is
quick firing against the taut surface
of this tent with the sound OF thous-
and frying pans suffering at once.
/ The ditch around the tent Is pretty
nearly filled and the water is gurg-
| ling and ripping to the main drain
| trench. Some OF the bitches have
proved false TO their trust and the
water--gursling and ripping Just as
| cheerfully--is backing into the less
fortunate tents
The rain has even caused the can
collation. of the evening band concert
and this Is a great misfortune, almost
as great as the news that the truck
train carrying the mail has been de-
layed and will not be in until tomor-
row morning
Altogether II should be despond-
ent sort of day, but It would take
more rain that It took TO Hood the
Ark to darnpen the spirits OF the
camp.
Lstcni Through the mist comes
the sound OF singing.
And II stays out late at night
IT get a whippiu' when I get back
home"
The negroes or - company, -
infantry. are grooming Sally" their
much. After each verse the unmis-
taxable ''yah-yah" Of the negro laugh
sounds over the camp.
A trooper Is hurrying across parade
under a slicker. AS he reaches the
main ditch he slips and takes a head
err into IL He Is chered by the
guarS Oh the picket line. He re-
spNr,ds by howing effusively and an
nouncing himself as MAIDEN oiselle
Farina. the Diving Venus"
There is egood-natured discussion
now on the picket line regarding a
broken rake-handle.
Tn chief hay -pusher in this here
army" says Walters, of the artillery.
And I broke that handle in pur-
suit of me dooty"
You broke that rake-handle lean
ing on it, retorts the man who car
res the other half of Walters shelter
tent.
From the west a troop Of cavalry
comes plop plopping through the
mud. Their campaign hats hop
m oistly and their ponchos are slick
with the wet. But they are singing.
too. They are singing "Tipperary."
! The officer at the head Of the column
waves his hand gaily as he passes.
| little later ne comes In the tent, still
soaked.
Tough luck, oid-timers'' consoles
one OF the party In the tent
Don't mention 1t, thanks" says the
cavalryman. "One nights camp at
Colonia Juarez Is worth suffering a
week OF rain. We were there night
before last. The men seemed to en-
Joy It q whole lot"
!scription OF an Ideal camping spot.