Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1916-11-17


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 a Ger
man sniper.
mot a chancew Guy protested.
"Please! 1t 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 d.
rections 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 gun!" 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 1t struck the ground, and they laid
him tenderly upon the dirt floor Of
Trench 81.
They've got him. He's not
| dead, though" :. Captain Monta-
que kneeled beside the lad and bent
over him. And a corporal with some
knowledge of first-aid procedure un-
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 kidw Charlie Brown ex-
claimed. 1t was a grim business
war!
"Sad@very sadr' the captain agreed.
But perhaps he'll pull through; and if
he doesn't-well! forgive me, Mr..
Brown, if 1 seem heartess-but re-
member! this is new to you and he's
only one, and I've seen so many!'
Captain Montague noticed that the
American correspondent was white
and somewhat unsteady.
II feel a bit shaken. Do you mind
II go back now?" Charlie asked.
,"Certainly not!'
"If 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 witt
Montague. I'm off to London. II
see his mother there, and that kid cir
Of his-and then go to New York
where there's no war, thank God! AnG
you know, Cap, when I'm home, sit
ting at my desk. looking down ovel
Broadway where war only means some
more headlines on the front page abou
some unpronounceable places, and yor
turn over the paper to see how stock!
closed, or who won the game-wher
I'm back there and the war STUFF
comes over the wire, I'll be thinking Of
you fellows over here under fire, anC
I'll be wishing you luck, old man, tn,
best Of luck!'
The captain thanked him; and the,
said good-by.
Charlie fingered for one last lool
at the wounded Guy.
II hope you pull through, old boyl'
he said; he knew, though, that Gu!
could not hear him. do what you cal
for him, won't you" he asked the cap
tain. 81 know his mother. Thi
whole business is hell, isn't it?