The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-24
PUTTING POLES
BETWEEN THE SPOKES

| (By f. f. Hartman of The Nigilantes.
Uncle Sam is straining hard to hau
his car up a steep grade. He is handi
capped by the elinging mud of apathy
His feet are slimed with the spewings OF
pro German citizens and sly, sneaking
aliens. They watch, eagerly hoping, foi
the first slip of foot carelessly planted
| They work day and night to render the
way more impossible more hard to tray
ell. They stand about with quantities OF
soft soap wherewith they hope TO render
his understanding more unsafe. They
are always sneaking to draw the hob
nails from his shoes.
The boys have seen his need OF aid.
They are focking from every state
valiant, earnest. manly boys, intent upon
the task before them. They are nearly
there coming coming ready. willing,
eager to help. The old gentleman spares
moment from his task, standing braced
that he lose nothing of what he has
gained, to watch the throng that press
towards him. He rejoces in their hearty
willingness, but, even as he smiles well
come, another throng interposes
They come with shouts of self lauda-
ton, cries of hysterical appeal to the
straining giant to hear and heed. They
declare themselves the true patriots, the
loyal helpers who have come to save him.
He wonders why they put no shoulders
to the muddy wheels, why every hand
is yet unsoiled by honest effort. Then
he hears their shouts and understands.
I'VE do not believe in war conscientious
objectors-no Americans in European
war-sleep and dream secure in the peace
of the unprepared-this is England's war
this is Frances war-the kaiser is our
friend-it is none of our business-peace
at any price"
He sees pacitists that claw and batter
those who disagree with their doctrines.
He sees patriots who would give up all,
for a towards peace. He sees loyal le
gions who consult the emissaries of the
kaiser before they vote on American
measures. He sees officials who cater to |
the alien and half hearted because they |
happen to out number the genuine Amer |
leans He sees the coward, the traitor, |
the self-seeker, the money grubbing alien |
and citizen, the spy, the malingerer, the |
professional pacifst. the constituent
fearing lawmaker, all thrusting their
bulk before the helpers who are strug-
Cling to reach his side
His back is arched and tense, the
muscles of his mighty thighs are knotted
md his arms swell with the slip and roll
If great thews, as he mods to those who
each their hands to help him pull.
"Come on, boys! Well pull her
through a-flying," he shouts and they
heer him as they come.
But the other throng throw huge
'locks of stone before the wheels. They
hrlist poles between the spokes. They
rag at the car with all their weight.
they tear at the bags of food il carries
nd scatter them in the mud. Some they
urn and some they poison. And all the
ime they work to keep his helpers from
elping
But soon the giant viii lose patience
Nth this throng of DIRECTORS. His voice
rill ring across the hills and plains
Come on boys! Trample the rascals :
D the mire if they will not GO Patience
"a ceased to be a virtue. Give them !
he only thing they understand-force-
nd make it swift. They pirate of pa 9
riotism and do the deeds of traitors. I
i've them traitors rations.n "a
Then will the boys and men who are
who have true hearts-put on q
he boots with the iron soles and tread :
ut the pathway. breaking down the l
eeds and nettles, kicking aside the foul J
nd decayed. and the sort Of patriotism
rat aids the enemy viii die as it de-
.rves