The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1917-11-29

reminding himself of that little fact.
But, as we sometimes like to be orig
inal, we casually remark that being
so far from the bloody trenches might
have something to do with that smile.
It's hard for them to realize that they
can eat their meals, go about their
business in perfect safety. They
seemed shocked to hear the Americans
call each other "bricks," peaches"
say 81 should worry" and get off other
American slang words and phrases.
But these heroes of the Marine and
Somne are getting on remarkably we'll
and are coming to the conclusion that
there is real stuff in the American
soldier, despite German reports to the
contrary.
French classes are in vogue through
out the camp and the boys are getting
so they can say a good many things,
and are getting especially af1uent in
the manner of talking to women.
They say the language is a great help
"over there" also remark that they
think the American girls are "ver
nice" and convey the CHEEKY news that
che French girls are anxious to meet
the big Americans. But the men
should not forget the shrek of shells
and the bursting shrarnel while
soaking in this bit of news.
Thanksgiving cones Thursday. We
will eat turkey enroute, according to
information relatives to the day of
starting, for Little Rock. They say
this is the sixth Thanksgiving that
the United States has been at war and
while to the average person it would
seem that we have about I he least in
spiration to offer our thanks at this
particular time, the one who looks
deep into this fact will re convinced
that we have the most. The country's
best men have been called upon to
serve in the greatest war in the his
tory of nations and for the very life
Of Humanity. Unalloyed gratitude
for endowed gifts can be- offered, that
enables us to take the mos. prominent
place in Kidding the worll of Kaiser
ism, which has opened the eyes of the
universe by its barbarous and terrible
wrongs committed against civilization
Chat we can take part in the greatest
work in history and defend the mothers
and daughters Of America.
Many different views can and will
De expressed on this question and we
are loath to take to heart all the above
reasons for showing gratitude. 1t is
only natural t. be selfish, especially il
you have boy in the army, but one
should be inspired by a deepest. mo-
tive no matter how great the sacrifice.
1t is hard to Iass on the debatable
question: who suffers most, the ones
who actually go to the front or the
ones at home who send them to the
front. Let us observe the day for all
that it is intended and for all it
stands for at, any rate.
When one lives along in the regular
channels of the military, day after
day, he begins to look for things to
come to pass much rs he does in civil
life. It's the same as being born over
and you get used to it's schedule as you
get used to life outside the army. The
contrast of the two modes of living
can be most fcrcibly seen by the man
who has just been on turlough. He
got up when he pelased when he was
at home; he ate about what as he
pleased and when he pleased; he kept
just the hours that suited his pleas
ure; exercise is tabooed; efforts at
personal appearance slackened, we'll,
its all different. Then he comes back;
he feels out of place for time; he
neglects to salute al. those entitled to
the compliment; perhaps he glances
at the bulletin board and finds his
name on for detail work that after
noon. After long trip back its a
pleasant y sensation to be sent out
on guard duty, which means sleepless
nights and heavy feeding. The next
day may be inspection day and on top
of all this work, he mus conduct
general housekeeping with himself,
bed and property. We're making it as
bad as we can, however. II only takes
a few days to get your bearings again
and you wonder if you were home and
had seen your many relatives and
friends or not, and you begin hollering
at "Rosie," "D,rt," Slim and "Bill"
with the old time velocity. Didn't anv
of you, who have seen service, ever
have hankering to come back for
awhile? You know how it is.
Well try to tell you Of our trip
next week and begin to send you
plying letters about you. deplorable
condition in the frozen north. But
we boys want to get letters from you,
despite your condition. "Make them
long and make them cheerful"
&C. Wills.
John Straka is the new tailor who