The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-06-26
A British
Volunteer
By F. A. Mitchell

viewing ulS TeSlucuI hdTCu " tuc STA
don to be entrained for the coast and
thence to Belgium. In six months he
returned under very different circum-
stances. There were no crowds to
greet him. Instead of the handker-
chiefs waving from the windows and
the sounds of martial music many of
the blinds were closed, and there was
o2ly the rattle Of the cab in which he
was driven through the streets.
Sackville had lost a foot and ankle
and was discharged from the ranks.
He had been among the first to re-
spond to his countrys call, leaving the
service of bank in which he was
employed. to join the colors. His posi-
tion in the bank was still open to- him.
but it required him to stand all day
paying checks, and he was unable to
fill it. Indeed, there were few posi-
tions he could fill. The only Occupa
ton that occurred to him as suited to
his altered condition was that of chauf
feur. He was a gentleman without
fueduS anu SuEduh 1lOlu uOluS
work, but it was the best he could do,
and he hobbled to garage and Sc
cured position.
One day he was directed to go to
hotel and call for Miss Amelia Duncan,
an American young lady travelling with
her invalid mother, who was confined
to her room under her daughters care,
| ,s,ta Th4 dor 1rI,t tor
needed the air and proposed to drive
, out every day when the weather ad-
mitted This was not very often. for
the sun seldom shines in England. She
had called for a reliable chauffeur
whom she might use when required.
| On this first afternoon that Sackville
drove Miss Duncan they became cor
nered in a street crowded with people
who were witnessing the departure Of
troops for the war. Drums were beat
ing. flags were flying, and the air was
filed with cheers
isn't 1t splendidw said Miss Dun
can, partly to herself and partly to
| her chauffeur. IF l were a man l
would surely go to the war"
anu CltuCl lCdNC youA III ACi
| GUM or return minus an arm or a leg
or an eye or perhaps all three" replied
the chauffeur
"Well, never!' exclaimed Miss Dun
can in disgust. Have you no patriot
ism?"
II don't believe In nation relying
solely on its best men in case of war
1 think every man of proper age should
be liable to military duty. These SOL
diers are all volunteers"
That's what l like about them.' re-
piled Miss Duncan. Our war between
the states was fought by volunteers
Our manifest men enlisted"
"And bore the brunt Of the struggle
for two years. when those on the north.
ern side began to pay the laggards to
enlist Just before the war closed men
were enlisting and deserting to get the
bounty Do you consider that justiceY'
II don't know anything about that
war. was not born till many years
after 1t had closed 1t must be nice to
be one Of those noble men who volun-
teer. Don't you think sor'
mo, don't
Then you admit that you belong to
the class Of laggards?"
II don't admit that either. l believe
In couscription"
There's nothing noble in a man 60
ing to war because he is obliged to 60"
WAR is duty. not something to be
proud of. 1t is horror. Did you ever
see men standing in line ready to face
death?"
mo, Of course not"
Every face is serious, solemn. Not
a word is spoken. They are like pris-
oners facing firing squad, only with
a prisoner death Is certain, while with
them 1t Is probable, or. what is worse,
they may expect to be MANNED for life"
Are they cowards?"
NO; they are men, but when the
fight is on they cease to be men and
become wild beasts"
Its shame for you to talk in this
way. Instead of sitting comfortably
In an auto you should be among those
noble fellows marching to war"
1T will not be so fine when they
return
They will come back victorious with
their battle stained banners flying,
greeted with the applause they de-
serve
Many of them will never come back.
Many will hobble back II the regi-
ment returns as a unit most of its mem
4 bers will be men who are not marching
now. Quite likely they will be con-
scripts: possibly they will have been
! paid to CO.
BY this time the troops had passed
and the auto was released. Miss Dun
can ordered her chauffeur to drive her
to her hotel. She did not like his talk
and resolved not to have him drive
her again. When she alighted he got
down and handed her out She noticed
that he limped
What's the matter with your footr-
she asked
IT'S made of wood"
How did you lose the real oner
Fighting in Belgium"