El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-08-30
WHEN It RAINS
ARMY JUST SINGS
How the Idle Hours Are
Passed by the "Puni-
tive Expedition"
BY WALLACE SMITH.
staff Correspondent of the InternntiOn-
al News Service.

Headquarters, American Punitive Ex-
petition, Mexico. Cvia motor truck
train to Columbus. y. NJ, Aug. %
The camp is a good deal healthier
than il has a right TO be. In consider
ing this do not forget that it is due
IN no small measure to the cheerfulness
and spirit of the American soldier
under all circumstances"
Thus spoke the eminent sanitary ex-
pert 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, camera and wore a white
stock. He seemed to be acquainted
personally with all manner of insec-s
and microbes, calling them :amiliarly
by their Latin names.
But he knew a good deal about HUI
man nature. too. Witness the state
ment Just quoted and witness this day
in camp.
Plenty of Rain.
It is raining. 1t has been raining
since morning It began over Pa
jarita mountain and swept a torrent |
down on the camp. The rain Is quick |
firing against the taut surface OF this I
tent with the sound of a thousand fry |
ing pans sputtering at once. The often
around the tent is pretty nearly filleI |
and the water is gurgnng ana ripping I
to the main drain trench Some of tins i
iitehes have proved false to their trust
and the Water-gurgling and ripping
Just as cheerfully-is backing into the
less fortunate tents.
The rain has even caused the can
Of the evening band concert
and this Is a great misfortune. almost I
as great as the news that the trucK I
train carrying the mail has been de- !
aged and viii not be in until tomorrow
sort of a day. But 1t would take more
ain than it took 20 flood the Ark to
iampen the spirit of the camp.
Listen Through the mist comes the
sound of singing
And if I stays out late at night
I get a whippin' when I get back
The negroes COMPANY infantry.
ballad. and enjoying it very much.
after each verse the unmistakable
Eah-yah' of the negro laugh sounds
'ver the camp
Fun In Camp.
a trooper is hurrylng across parade
nder slicker- As he reaches the
aaln ditch he slips and takes header |
ITO it He is cheered by the guard on ]
he picket line He responds by boWins
ffusively and announcing himself as
Farina. the Diving
enus
There Is good natured discussion !
ow on the picket line regarding a ,
rcken rake handle.
I'm chief hay pusher in this here g
-my," SAYS Walters. of the artillery. !
ana I broke that rake handle in pur- :
lit of me dOOty" q
You broke that rake handle
aiming on it," retorts the man who Q
rries the other half of Walters b
elter tent. e
From the west troop of cavalry
mes plop-DlOpping through the mud. ! "
heir campaign hats flop MOSTLY and 3
cir ponchOs are slick with the wet. h
II they are singing. too They are g
l@inG 'Tipperary." The officer at the n
.ad of the column waves his hand / a
lily as he passes 4 little later he ! Il
mes in the tent, still soaked. a
Tough luck ole timers" consoles / o.
le of the party n the tent. =
The Ideal Camp spot. r.
Don't mention il, thanks" says the I y
valryman- One nights camp at
'lonian Juarez is worth suffering a
eek of rain We were there night
fore last The men seemed to en- d
y it a whole lot" &C
There follows an enthusiastic de- d
ription of an ideal camping spot tc
III lhe next tent an OfIlcer Is calling IS
r. his striker and a shovel and II
ok.
Water. Water; Plenty of It. "
have You Fellows SPONGE" he W
lis across TO this tent when an in pi
stigating head is pol1ed out of the is
Up I know just how Noah felT III
n flooded to fareye-well a blot m
r would help" fr
From the mess comes an appetizinS ! pl
lell of onions and hot coffee ami pi