The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-21
EVENING STORY
lRr ArcheNr Ca nnernn N

(By Archey Cameron New)
Old Gettysburg, after half century
of comfortable. sluggish peace, again
took on a martial aspect or IN the
direction of Clips Hill, Little Round
Top, and the other renowned parts of
the historic battlefield, the last notes
of mess CALI had, a half hour before, 1
died upon the air. and now. for a sat
urday night iaunt in the town. hum
dreds of khaki clad figures wendell
their way down the road, turning past
the postoffice to the town square,
where hundreds of lights. prociaiming
their readiness for the evening, blazed
their commercial welcome to the host
Some ran, some walked, some sang as
they swung along in steps, others
| moved listiessly, as If merely to goal
where they might abide the time be-
| tween mess and taps.
Among the latter were Corporal Ar
| thur Ewing and Harry Adkins, of his
squad, his inseparable companion
| They stood in front of the window of
| the largest store in the square-th
| mecca for the thirsty troops-and
gazed idly at the citizen populace.
male and female, who strolled by,
singly and in groups, the girls tossing
| their heads proudly away, as now and
| then a friendly smile crossed some
| soldiers features. And never a smile
| of welcome, never CHEEKY word of
greeting reached the eyes or ears of
these two lonesome lads, who. a month
| before, had left their bright, CHEEKY
| homes to defend their country's hor or.
1t was as if a foreign legion had en-
| tered the town, their presence suffer
| looke& around at the lights and the
| flowing streamers, with their printed
! lifeless greeting of "Welcome-U.
A." then turned to Adkins with a
growl:
| Welcome he sneered. ITO our
to IL la nj SIR
of it. I'm nearly dead for talk with
| a GIRL haven't seen one to talk to
since left home. What's the matter
with me, Harry? Is it my fault? Am
| acting like bum, or WHAT
NAH" growled the other. with
hoarse laugh. Its not you. Arth-
it's your awful Uniform. The bars
down on everybody. The girls aren't
allowed to associate with us. We're
taboo. But why worry-t'hell with
to banana royal"
Ewing followed his chum into the
store silently. but his SOIL seethed
with rebellion. Then he bought an
and made perfunctory remark about
"a nice evening" He received a
frown for, his pains. and went back
to Harry's side with Increased rancor.
In moody silence they left the place,
and sauntered slowly back to the
CHEEKY invitation for little poker"
and retired to his cot.
The following day being Sunday
; and their last rest-day in camp, it
was announced that sNey might have
the day to themselves, and Harry,
bursting into his tent with the news.
found Arthur. with a bundle, already
starting forth.
Where y going?" he demanded,
giving the bundle a curious glance
en- tn hi fcff fort n RI
veuchsafed Arthur briefly
All, cut it," protested the other.
We're gonna have ball game this
morning. What's up?"
Nothing special" snapped Arthur,
but I'm off. G'by. Harry
, And he left his chum staring after
him in amazement. as he slowly
trudged out of the tent and down the
road.
For two or three miles he walked
on, thru Gettysburg, and then out into
} the open country, and as he passed an
old stone trestle. he saw what he was
looking for. Vaulting over a low
fence, he made for a large barn and
disappeared within. Ten minutes
later a low, musical voice at the door
caused him to wheel around suddenly
A diminutive. bright miss of about
, 10, little wiSps of brown waving hair
playing about her slightly bronzed
delicately tinted heeks, frowned al
|
, afraid, and pointed at bundle al his
feet. 1t was his khaki uniform, and
! he now faced her, clad in somewhat
: wrinkled blue serge trousers and coat
busily pulling a refractory tie thru his
stiff white collar.
II wouldn't said the girl. Don't
: be a deserter"
| I'm not deserving" flared Ewing
two bright spots of color rushing to
: his cheeks. I'm just taking holiday
r for the day"
why the change of clothes - she
persisted, and she pointed again to the
uniform. Are you-ashamed OF
them"
No" came his proud reply. and his
head shot erect I'm proud of them
But others are not-you're not. You
2 shun those who wear them. So I'm
| going over to Abbottstown-as a plain
man-just for day. People will no
tice me then" he added, bitterly. Then
: J. hot wave of resentment \surgin2
: thru him, caused him to add, why
why are we outcasts?"
Il wouldn't say that" answered the
= girl, quietly. "Rut I'll admit we're
not allowed to talk to you, So many
= of the soldiers are not gentlemen. One
of them insulted a girl in town last
t week"
lone of them" he echoed, thunder
: ingly. Just because of one you con-
denim thousands preach err was di-
: vorced last week. Is that sign all
| of them are bad %
mol" she admitted. and the truth
] of his challenge caused her to hans
her head. t.But why don't you sticE
, to yourselves? Then you wouldn't bs
! snubbed.'
Why do we have to be snubbed
l you mean" he shot right back
e We're going out to your battles
yours and your sister sand YOU
fathers, brothers and mothers. We'r|
leaving bright, happy homes, gooc
positions for what? Don't think were
asking that. We're glad to go. We
n couldn't hold our heads up and be-
i proud If we didn't. But we'll pull ou
: Eof this town next Friday, and wei
: be almost glad OF it. For there's no
/ a mothers son of us who wouldnt
| rarafar, Ia ird fair q,