Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-06-28
the precious packets of anything that would

the precious packets Of anything that would
burn
There was long silence after this, \
sentry across the street stopped without
breaking his step to pick up a package OF
tobacco which had lain in the gutter since
his last company passed He demonstrated
gracefully that cowboy heroes Of movie
fame are not the only ones who can roll a
cigarette with one hand--and the left one
at that. In fact these boys from the bor-
der have many tricks which should rouse
any wavering belief In the daredevil West.
The ambulance came back, and the man
with the injured head solved the discussion
by appearing, patched up and beamng.
There was a long silence after this and
the crowd held consultation. looked at its
watches and Conjectured that probably all
had arrived. The idly curious began to
drift away and the intensely concerned
hung on shakily crushed by this opinion.
An officer withdrew from the little knot
about the gate and crossed the street to
speak 10 his wife, He was overheard to
remark that only the had passed the
gates so far-that the others were due
at any moment. At which the waiting
ones were reCharged with endurance and
even enthusasm-except the dark little
woman with the earrings. who sobbed
Perhaps she didn't understand. The
woman with the baby was by now quite
oblIvious to everything but the fact that she
could see him; and the thrill Of that was
dulled by the recurring thought that she
could not speak to him.
And many Of them are ofIicered by high
headed Texans who would just as leave in
vite you into the backyard with your horse
pistol, If you seemed at all argumentative
about the Kaiser. One o; them, young
lieutenant, whose looks will surely break
many still susceptible heart In France and
whose bankroll would move the Red Cross
han rtTulNt h
steaming brow and huge roped bundle
under each arm. The crowd watched MS
approach with interest and admiration OF
the splendid figure of the man.
policeman recognized him as In com.
mand OF the unfortunate company which
had just missed the inspired tobacco
attack of the crowd. He was obliged TO
halt beneath the arc lamp over the gate,
dropped the load from one arm, saluted
and made a dash at his wet face with
we'll pasted flannel sleeve. His white teeth
and the little silver bar on his shirt collar
flashed he grinned at the officer VINO
inspected him with a friendly eye
Got some smokes for m'men.' he con
feded 80 long, everybody He shoul-
dered his load and passed through win
backward wave to the policeman
Faith, he's a fine lookin' chap the
policeman exclaimed.
81 can tell you what he's got IN the
breast pocket Of that shirt" burst man
on the curb ITS a bit OF handker-
chief with perfume on it.
The crowd thrilled.
"And how is't ye know that?" demanded
the policeman prompted by the ever
ready suspicion of the law,
He showed II to me; just served MN
his coffee at IS where l work eX-
planned the man. -
"Oh. well, well, maybe well all be mere
whin he comes back" said the policeman
somewhat irrelevantly. and those nearest
him sighed sympathetically.
The girl with the white gloves stlrreo
against the telegraph pole.
You're an Irishman. officer, sne sus--
gested and smiled little wanly.
Irish nothin'" he declared Me father
and mother were both German, right here
from, Miss He grinned. ITS the IAN
guage of the force | speak--and thats
brogue, maybe. Up on the sidewalk youse
down there-up on the sidewalk, say.
You'll excuse me, Miss. he moNeu uo""
the line with waving club.
And again came the unmistakable tramp
ing sound which today shakes the worlo.
The atmosphere grew suddenly alNe ana
tense on came that long, thin line-eVen'
twisting serpent -like-into the yaWnlnB
gates and on, on. into the great rooted
docks swarming up gangways and ropes
onto powerful boats proNlsioned' ike
camels with food and water, armed from
the toling gun crew to the three rlnes
allotted eacn man OelO" rOi q uoS 'oHbS'
they lay there, these great ships-silent,
gray, almost invisible--to slip out the next
night on the long swell, the back wash OF
peaceful craft.
cool morning broke upon empty docks,
an empty street curb The little old woman
and her tears the woman with the baby
the girl with the white gloves, and the
man with cubfoot: the sympathetic police
man, all these were as though they had not
been. But the sentries patrolled and still
patrol-and in the yard were and still are
long, even lines of caissons, gray, too.