Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1916-01-20

transports rushed by with a sickeninB
clanking OF chains and rumbling OF
massive wheels. running with more
than average rate to catch up to
those in front. Occasionally a heavy
transport laden with ammunition, en-
route to some battery In the woods
and driven by as many as ten power.
full steeds, Numbered past in the mid
die of the road or on the left side to
pass the slower moving vehicles.
Frequently these monsters OF the
road came close to collision with the
frail ambulance Sometimes q driver.
far in front, contrary to rules. lighted
a match and the thing hared over the
country like an arc light. In order to
drive at all It was necessary to blow
the horn constantly and hug the right
side OF the road as closely as safety
allowed
Mailman Becomes Restless.
AT the village of II, half way
to the hospital. the mailman on the
seat grew restless. He began to add
to my troubles by grabbing the wheel
at unexpected intervals. turning the
car from it's course. After each occa-
sion he gave gurgle Of approval and
muttered something in a dialect | did
not understand, but evidently getting
more amusement out of II than !. He
was little fellow and did not fear
him physically.
After several sudden lurches, when
hhinD tyh 10 ha
coming habit with him, | hogan to
pat him on the back and look anxious.
ly in the direction OF the hospital.
about three miles away. was afraid
the fellow inside might make trouble.
Once, on losing the sense of direc-
ton, after being turned from my
course, stopped and dsmounted to
find the right OF the road Several
feet in advance OF the car | walked
into something hard. discovered "A
wagon stationary on the road n short
distance in front with load OF long
raillike burs projecting over the rear
end
Suddenly there was a big blaze OF
light from the back | stopped short
wondering what had happened. Look
ing back through "a window in the can
vas body of the car saw the soldier
inside crouching on the st-etCher hold
ing about half a box OF lighted
matches in his hands. He was trying
to light a cigarette.
with his face toward the floor Of
the car he raised the sCor" ar so Of
burning matches to his mouth In
stantly there was a sizzle of mustaCha.
| loud cough and gruut. and the luna.
! tic frantically threw the flaming sticks
over the car
lunatie Lit His Cigarette.
Il jumped OFF and ran back to pre-.
! vent the flames from spreading. When
! got around the passenger inside was
| putting nonchalantly at a cigarette as
! though nothing had happened
But the other fellow was gone.
After few minutes search I was
about to give up when | heard con-
fusion Of voices within the ambulance.
Fastening to the back again saw
that my friend had made his way into
the car without my noticing It and the
two were now arguing in dangerous
voices on different subjects. After
agreeing to many things finally got
the fellow hack on the seat with me
and We continued
The two remained quiet until with,
in a quarter mile of the hospital At
this point the road branches of up q
long winding hill Taking the road
the car lurChcd sharply over a gutter
Probably the soldier inside had been
looking out Of the little window in
az the car lurchci I f"lt him brush
roughly against our backs to the side
immediately he seemed To have an
idea that his companion was at fault
and instantly drove his fist into the
canvas. catching the soldier on the
seat in the back. The rest OF the trir
was lively enough; while the maniac
In front alternately tried to jump of
and sink his elbow into the canvas al
his companion the latter pounded Q
hole through the canvas to reach him
Busy With the Manlacs.
"On the road near the point we hat
reached a sentinel is stationed da,
and night to guard the country beyond
the hill, which again leads to tht
lines. Directly before reaching him {
road branches sharply to the left. Il
leads to the back Of the hospital
where the ambulances go to discharge
their loads.
The sky had cleared little. show
ing enough road in advance to make
better speed. lost little time in GOV
ering the last stretch. The sentine
was evidently new to our ambulances
| la= La I1iahnA Ii Iulihnn