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

BIime me. they're alw'ys a'gummins the
gyme."
Stewart, with look of depression on
his face, turned to me and said: We'll.
here goes, Emp. Steve Brodie took a
chance. so might be able to get away
with this"
Then. turning to the Tommiee he
said: Did any of you blokes ever hear
of John Mcdraw?"
Three of the Tommies answered,
yes"
A sunny smile and look of hope
fitted across Stewards face and he
breathlessly asked. Who is hep The
three started to answer at once. but
Stewart, majestically extending his
hand, palm forward, said, Get in line.
one at a time. Now. Perkins. who is
John McGraw?'
Perkins answered: why. 'e's
lawnce corporal in the Royal Irish
Rifles"
According to Stewards look. that
Tommy should have Immediately drop
ped dead.
Turning to the next he said. Curly
for the love o. Mike. who is he?"
Curly, with knowing look, answer
ed. e runs the Kings Arms public
ouse, down Rye lane"
With piteous look, Stewart glanced
my way and 1 jerked my thumb in the
direction of the other Tommy. who
seemed to be bursting with suppressed
eagerness Stewart. looking at him.
calculated. Spit it out before you
choke"
This fellow. with a superior air. turn
ed in the direction of the two detected
Tommies and answered. John Mac
Graw. why everybody knows i'm; e
was the fellow in the London Scottish
who clicked 'crucifixion' for stealing
the rum issue at 'Wipers.' e was a
lad. not art he weren't"
A kissing noise issued from Stewards
n 10 q
punctured toy balloon. After few
seconds he Strengthened up and look
of determination came into his eyes
Addressing the Tommies. he exploded:
You blokes are enough to make Billy
Sunday take to drink. Now, listen
here. and let it sink in deep. John Nc
Graw Is the manager of the New York
Giants He Is base ball player; get
1t? A base ball player. A guy what
manages a base ball team. And any
fellows who can't make good on his
team. or in the bush leagues, he sends
'em cricket bat with their name in
England. Get me-"
y +
Several Tommies took exception to
this. and said that they had followed
cricket all their lives. but had never
heard of any American cricketers being
sent over by Mr.. McGraw. At this
exploded. and Stewart went up in the
air Standing up and turning to the
bunch under the trees, pointing his nm
ger in their direction, he let out:
Now listen, this is good. I'm going
to send down to the ordnance corps and
get a dozen gimlets and some tunnels.
With these gimlets I'm going to bore
holes in your 'nappers. and, using the
funnel. I'm going to pour into those
garrets of yours a little brains. Then,
after you've acquired gray matter, I'm
going to teach you the great American
through teaching you. I'm going to re-
tire to the old soldiers home as phys
ical1y and mentally unit, because 1
know the job will put me there"
The Tommies did not take exception
to his pointed remarks about their lack
of brains. They overlooked. this be-
cause they were very eager to learn
how to play base bali.
A chorus of. GO to hit, Yank, that's
what we want; something new out ERE
ties
Steware said that we would have tn
talk the matter over, and, reckoning to
me. went in the direction of the billet.
1 followed. He then outlined his
scheme.
We were to form two base ball
Classes. Stewart in charge of one. I the
other On the plaster of the billet we
carefully scratched out a base ball dia-
mond. and then called the Tommies in
They sat around like little children in
a school. eagerly intent. For two
hours we explained the game to them
When we got through they all knew
how to play base ball-on paper. We
dismissed them. telling them another
class would be held the following aft
ernoon. That night, Stewart and /,
around the stump Of candle, went