Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-30
ALL ABOUT THE GUARDSMEN IN CAMP BE
PRIVATE IN RANKS
WRITESPOEM ON WAR
Mitchell, of Company M, Second
Regiment, Tells All About
Conflict in Verse
BY FRANKLIN r. G. FOX

CAMP BRUMBAUGH, Mount Gretna, Pa.
Benjamin T. Mitchell of Company NJ.
I'd Regiment, the young man who refused
to allow his hencee to become a war bride,
has written a poem on war" in which he
says that
If the kings would reason and didn't want
any more,
There would be neither bloodshed nor any
war.
There are number of stanzas. and
after seeing Mr.. Mitchell c1c knows that
IL Is exactly the kind of verse one would
expect him to write. He Is tall. clear
eyed young man and very honest, as one
would believe when he tells you he quite
agreed with the parents of his fancee when
they forbade marriage until 1t Is deter
mined whether Mitchell will live through
the war or not. Mitchell lives at 243S North
26th street lie is home on sick leave now,
having been injured in a sham battle at
Mount Gretna the other day. His girl is
Kathryn A. Hague, of 2509 North Firth
street. Both are optimsts and are sure
that the wedding will come Off in short
order. They don't fear the wars length or
torrors very much.
Here is young Mr.. Mtchell's poem writ
ten before he was hurt, with the ground
dirt for a desk:
a year ago or two. we'll say,
Ali nations ships % sailed eS'oH on iT thSIr Way
There was no obstruction in their way.
Commerce was plentiful, their trades grew large.
fr9m sincaS tne arsest liner to the smallest barge
1t seemed wars prediction came. from some big
Then quick lightning comes and does dis
i ,s seemed that an hour @ had turn turned to year.
b nme hcwsooys shouted and 1eiied out ooih'
Buy copy before they are all sold.
Then came time loved ones did depart
To stand there and watch them would break
They give up their lives. they know not what
They'll fight day and night, become leg weary
They'll push through the battle, they know not
Tho through hardships and misery they'll keep
plodding on.
After the battle the smoke clears away
@ nd the % sun shines dSwn S I1 on another day
1t was ID beautiful landscape. lovely SCENE
Now In its stead are pools of red.
On this once, once beautiful field lays million lion dead
Trying to sooth some ones misery with kind
words and care.
Miles away, where a poor wife stands
She reads 18th the war list @ Of the Wounded and dead
And as she comes to name puts her hand to
her head
oh" she sobs, he has gone away.
Then her eyes fill up and the tear drops now
AS she huddles her baby close and on her way
does 60
The kings at their tables receive all the news.
At their command, ten million do as they
chose;
They have all the luxuries and food they want.
Yet they're not satisfied, they'll sit down and
grunt.
II rule all this kingdom and all II contains.
I rule all these rivers, fields and plains;
Yet I'm not satisfied until | can say
rule all this world and have full sway.
While down on his fields men work day by day.
They work for very little pay;
They very happy
And go their way.
Home to their wives and children they go,
They pod through rain, mud and snow;
They're satisfied with life. matter how plaini
They stick to their work and never complain
There is a difference. all understand,
Between n who's a coward and man
who's man:
II the kings would reason and didn't want any
There would be neither boodshed nor any war.