New-York tribune., 1916-07-16
BY Richard Sexau
rrsated From the German, with Introductory Comment
by William L. Mcpherson.

little village square spring bubbles =.
That strikes him almost as a miracle. Pa, 4
every aeighborhood in which he has be-,
the last few days the springs have al >.
dry. Before he takes a swallow hinsel, !
lets his horse drink.
One of the under-officers remarks: 81.
wild fight they're having at the fror, !,
day"
The first lieutenant listens. He hs = |
come so accustomed to the thunder Of =.
cannons, to their daily roar and rage 8.
he scarcely notices them any longer. =.
now infantry fire mixes with the boomi,, :
the artillery Many thousand separate ~,
reports register almost simultaneously on :.
eardrum. And distinguishable in all The I.
mutt is the screeching and scolding Of ..
machine gun, now menacing It's victims ".
isolated single shots, and now, with nj.
like the caterwaulng Of some fantastic. >.
gantic cat, discharging cartridges at the "a,
of hundred minute.
"If we only get ahead"
There was almost sigh in mis- words. 81
thinks of the uncounted sacrifices which nan
these victories possible.
A voice says in French: "Mr. Caua,
wouldn't you like to have something to es,r
The first lieutenant looks around A nat,
has pushed forward. With almost slsrs
poiteness he seems to want TO ingratx,
himself with the newcomer. whom he a.s
to be a person of some importance. He's
gins to complain about the way in which /.
has been mistreated both by the French a.:
by the Germans. He hardly knows whethr
his own countrymen or the enemy have bes
the greater pest. Together they have robe.
him of almost everything. Still, the lit.
that is left he gladly puts at the offceri
service. He pesters the lieutenant so lor,
that the latter finally consents TO take ligt:
meal
While the old Frenchman goes of TO ha
inn there is a call in the telephone station
"Who is it? Erion? At general headquar.
ters? Good. In minute"
The lieutenant hurries to the instrumen.
This is Prehl, adjutant of Artillery Reg
ment No. 2. The regiment is stationed o.
Hill Is of the General Staff map, east q
Xures. Yes, major, it is well conceals
against overhead observation. | am talEy
now from the telephone station Of Xu1
Yes, please. Battle still undecids.
and very obstinate? You are in Statm
;c Ia haE "a
wonder at the cooness with which the msi1
describes the situation and communicates h'
orders) Yes. The regiment is TO advsra
and stand ready at the western entrance.
am 10 remain here for further orders"
The message is quickly written on pa
the sheet torn off and folded, and then p;
in an envelope. One Of the under-ofiss
takes it. rides at a sharp trot UP the villsr
street and vanishes at the junction Of Z.
crossroads.
The greasy-looking Frenchman reappesn
Rubbing his hands, he squints at Prehl ri
announces that the meal is ready.
There is a surprise for the lieutsniH
when he enters the inn. A table covefS
with a clean cloth, ham and eggs and
sealed bottle of bright red wine. How lots
since such a pleasurable vision had greeta
his eyes.
THAT certainly pleases me-" he says
himself
He doesn't delay long over such appe1s
ing fare. White bread had seldom tasted -
good to him. In the long run hardtack
anything but a food for the gods.
Meanwhile the host renews his complsirS
He never stops talking. This war! IfS