The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1917-10-19

they did very little swearing. II a Eel
low forgot and cut loose he got a csll
from somebody. The loyalty Of these
boys l had known on the border
pleased me very much and fattered ME
a little, l guess.
My headquarters were the kitchen,
where l was rated as one Of the cooks
and did my share. Here they called me
SILENT Joe" because I talked 30 little
afraid my voice would betray me.
Glad that they gave me this reputation.
I was ready to live up to 1t.
Fools Husband.
One day I was folding up my blan-
ket when l saw my husband coming
down between the tiers Of hunks.
What are you doing there, rookie?'
he demanded. "Don't you know there
Is drill on deck?"
My back had been half turned toward
him. I swung around and tore of my
hat. My hair had been clipped short,
but he recognized me and laughed.
The joke vas on him.
you fooled me, kiddie," he said.
You'd better 60 up to drill"
But the best I could do was to help
myself to a good cry on his chest.
There was nc enc who could e US.
He was gentle with me as always, and
] was happy. l had needed that cry
q long time. 1 think he was a little
proud, too, to know his wife would risk
so much and follow him 80 far just to
be lear him. I enjoyed that moment.
1 didn't care If all the officers on board
saw me, but nom did.
It was easy for me to 60 through the
simple drills on shipboard, for I was
familiar enough with the army to show
up q lot Of the rockies at it. Some Of
the men who did not know I was
aboard were curious about my shaving.
when do you get out your razorT'
a youngster asked me one day.
II don't have to use 1t except once
q week." I answered. I'm a kid yet.
You go to it every day to look manly"
Once I did try to shave to play my
part.
OF course there were always the SOL
der songs, and we had quite a collec-
ton of musical instruments aboard,
manned by amateurs. One doughboy
who had recently returned from serv-
ice In Hawaii had brought a ukelele
along, and he went big, for the boys
liked those dreamy tunes.
1t is a strange thing about a soldier
that he does not sing the stuff written
for him, but prefers the tear jerkers
and sentimental ballads. The soldier
songs in France will be about back
home and not about beating the boches.
Yet these boys were going to the
trenches and that hell with a smile and
q song. II any reformer kicks on that
crap game he ought 20 60 himself. The
men are gambling their lives. Why not
their money?
The Rookie Who Talked Too Much.
Most of the soldiers knew and had
served with and seen General Perish
ing. he sees more Of the doughboys
than most major generals and gets In
closer contact with his men. Yet they
talked little of him except to show
they had faith In him. he seemed to
be q sort Of distant person who spent
his time In some indefinite place. The
captain is the soldiers friend
There was much speculation as to
what they would do when they reached
France, and all eager to get into
action. They waited to try 1t anyway.
I'VE may be fed up on it a year from
now" declared one fellow who had
been watchfully waiting several
months in Mexico, "but I hope we get
some action soon." -:
was beginning to think l would
see the trenches myself and half hoped
go. I knew l wouldn't be scared, and
l felt I was part OF the expedition by
this time. Nothing would have suited
me better than to Lave climbed into a
ditch beside Corporal John Carter, o.
s. A. I had caught the spirit OF the
crowd and had half got my husband
to consent to let me go along as q
as I could make it. I was happy.
Then one morning without any warn
Ing a laxative rookie, who had been
seasick, but was now better and fresh,
said:
did you hear there Is a woman
aboard"
"You don't say| I answered "Where
the devil is she?'
II don't know. I can't make her."
he answered. 1--WE been looking every
body over. All the boys on the ship
are talking about It."
"Some men would make better old
maids than women" I replied and
turned on my heel and walked away.
There was a lump In my throat. The
old timers knew enough to keep their
mouths shut, but these rockies were
natural gossips. The officers would
hear sure and begin a search. Had I
come all this way In vain?
CHAPTER ".