Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-09

00 0E were sitting on fre-step
NAX in the front line trench. 1t
\V\V was bright and sunny. and
" " we were bubbling over with
good humor. There were two reasons
for this: First, our battalion was to
be relieved at that night and we were
going back for a two-week rest. Sec
ond. it was spring. We could smell it
in the air. Even the wind, blowing
from the German trenches in our di-
rection. had a sweet and "springy'
smell.
About thirty yards down a commune
cation trench to the left was an or
chard. The trees were SCARED from
bullets and fragments of shell; but
even these battered trunks could not
resist the feel of spring, because here
and there on the twigs and branches
could be seen bursting buds. Fitting
around were numerous birds, chirping,
and sometimes wrangling among them
selves.
To me ii seemed odd that birds could
accustom themselves to war Occa-
siOnally German she'll, or perhaps one
of ours. would go screaming over the
orchard. The birds did not seem to
their nest building
In our company was an American
named Alexander Stewart. Naturally
he and 1 were very chummy.
Stewart and were the chief 'amuse-
ment promoters in the company. the
Tommies constantly looking to US for
some new diversion
In the English army Tommy seems
to have the idea that an Americans
chief vocation in the United tSates is
TO invent. and to keep on inventing. OF
course. Stewart and I did not in any
way try to disSipate this idea; in fact.
we encouraged 1t, and took great pride
in being looked up to in this way: but.
believe me, it kept US hustling to keep
the Tommies amused.
1t was getting too warm for soccer
foot ball. and we knew as soon as we
got into rest bi1lets that the issue
would be put right up to us: How
are you going to amuse us while be-
hind the 1ines?"
We were Americans, and red-blooded;
spring was in the air. and our thoughts
turned to what every American boy is
thinking Of upon the arrival Of spring
base ball.
turned my eyes to the muddy. para
dos (rear wall of the trench) and fixed
Embedded in the mud. Pretty soon this
fragment seemed to change into a base,
ball player. with mask, protector and
catcher's mftt- He was crouching be-
hind the homo plate and signaling to
the pitcher Just then Stewart said:
Soy. Emp. / wonder if we could teach
the Tommies how to play base balI?"
Immediately turned in his direction.
He was also staring at that fragment
ANSWERED: Ibid you ever try to
French!"
He got it right away and a detected
look spread over his countenance and
ne let out long-drawn sigh.
A Tommy sitting on my right butted
in with: Did you sye byse ball. Yank?
Why. saw gyme in London. and it is
absurdly easy to plye, but / cawn't sye
fawncy hit"
With a look of disgust Stewart turn
ed to me and said: Il guess you're
right. Emp. 1t would be easier to teach
the Chinaman French.a
That night We were relieved and
went behind the lines
r
The next afternoon, after parade, we
were sitting in an orchard. drinking
tea About a month before Stewart and
/ had taught the Tommies how to pitch
horseshoes. There was great rivalry
among the different squads. each SQUAD
having a team.
Just then Corp. Watkins came over
shoes? I cawn't find EN-"
Another Tommy answered: "Strafe
me pink, where are your h'eyes? Cawn't
you Dloom1n' well see the h'officers
usin' EN- behind that billet over there?