The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-07-01
HOT SANDS, WILD HORSES AWAIT TROOl
BOYS LEAVE IN A
SHOWER OF TEARS.
ROSES AND KISSES

SWEETHEARTS AND ENVY.
The envy came from the loni
lines of khaki-clad recruits a,
they lined the boxcars and tracks
while the troop train pulled out
There has been too much camp
life already, they say. They
want action and the quicker the
better. So IL was an envied
bunch of men who boarded the
train and steamed southwark.
The flowers came just as the
line marched to entrain. Amidst
the regimental bands martial
They're on Their Way to Mex
ico," hundreds of pretty girls
threw roses over the marching
column. Roses we're thrust in
the hat bands and equipment of
the privates. One youth asked
that his pink rose be exchanged
for red one. He liked red for
some reason, he said.
The handclapping and laugh
ter came from everywhere and
everybody. Even the mothers
with dampened eyes laughed to
hold back that which had been
clutching them since morning.
Good-byes began shortly after
o'clock. The camps of the de-
parting companies were cleaned
than a whistle long before noon.
The hours that followed were like
ages, the troopers said. Mothers,
sisters and others sisters came
after the mess dishes had been
washed.
A strain and hush fell
over everyone. Somehow Ii
didn't appear out of the Or
binary to see some mother
daubbing her eyes with a
handkerchief while big
husky youth looked foolish
and sOdden-eyed right
through a person standing u
foot i'm front of him.
Good-byes were said for the
sixtieth time, and shortly before
1880 the troopers were escorted
by the hand to the station and
allowed to fall out, to commence
all over the same old goodbye.
Everything from the United
States of America to the lowliest
of officers was cheered by the
men.
Col. Jnglis was rah-rahed, and
so was Capt. Palmer. Short, in
termittant drizzles drove the
band to the tiny shelter of the
Cosgrove platform, where it play
ed and played.
Only one waltz was attempted.
There is something in the psy-
chology of fast music that is best
for such as a wartime departure,
Adj. Maj. Thompson came hur-
rying in from Seattle in an auto
mobile shortly before o'clock.
His arrival was signal for
action.
The delay of departure had
been due, 1t was claimed, to the
formalities of official signatures
with the railroad officers. The
engine gave two sharp blasts and
then the stuff" was off.
Tears for fair broke loose.
Frantic kisses were given. In
many cases the concrete was i'm
possible, and they were thrown
over the heads of the mob. Girls
jumped up to the car windows
and besmeared misjudged kisses
On stubby bearded chins. They
were off.
One fat private kept his
head. Realizing the stress
of affairs, he calmly walked
about and collected the
fruits OF others excitement.
He must have reaped a
dozen kisses, given bIindly
and I'm the feverish excite
ment of the occasion. When
the train left, he did not get
aboard, but walked back to
camp. He was simply get
ting in training for the day
he leaves.
Capt. Palmer's new-shorn
military head was banked by
those of Lieuts.. Cramer and Gro
nander through the rear door OF
the officers Pullman.
The fighting name of Troop B
will be the Hopping Hot Ia
males" This name was Off
cially stamped on the aggregation
by Lieut.. Cramer.
When asked about the time
the remainder of the troops would
leave, Col. Inglis held his fingers
to his lips and said he was sworn
to secrecy.
Despite the refusal of the staff
Officers to give any news concern
ing the next move, II is generally
conceded by everyone that Cos
grove will be a barren plain by
Sunday night.