Connecticut western news., 1917-11-22


 able to handle a gun on account of writer's cramp. One young fellow didn't slight a girl ill the state of Tex as, and l suppose he told each she was the only one. He ought to get lots of mail lover there"
 Because of the breaks in the sleep on account of submarine drills and for other reasons l am ordered not to dis cuss some of the boys slept in the day time a good deal. There were not many duties aboard ship, and the off cers let all hands take it as easy as they could. They knew there would be plenty to do ill France.
 That is why the American soldier is fighting for his captain and not to make the world safe for democracy. He knows his captain as the fellow who looks out for him. I speak of the regular, the neat, soldierly looking fel- low you can always tell from guards man, when I say this. And I don't mean that as a reflection. Soldering is the regulars business.
 In the daytime l saw little of my husband, but with the aid of Cupid Private Smithers I sneaked up to his berth often at night. He still insisted he would report me. The old timers who knew me covered me up, and all the men were very decent. Whenever an officer came along they would find an excuse to gather around me, and they did very little swearing. If fel- low forgot and cut loose he got call from somebody. The loyalty of these boys I had known on the border pleased me very much and flattered me a little, guess.
 My headquarters were the kitchen, where, was rated as one of the cooks and did my share. Here they called me Silent Joe" because I talked so little afraid my voice would betray me. Glad that they gave me this reputation. was ready to live up to it. H.
 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 dr1ll on QeckF.,
 My back had been half turned toward him. I swung around and tore off my hat. My hair had been clipped short but he recognized me and laughed The joke was on him.
 You fooled me, kiddie," he said. You'd better go up to drill"
 But the best 1 could do was to help myself to a good cry on his chest. There was no one who could see us. He was gentle with me as always, and was happy. I had needed that cry a long time. I think he was a little proud, too, to know his wife would risk so much and follow him so far just to be near him. enjoyed that moment. didn't care if all the officers on board saw me, but none did
 It was easy for me to go through the simple drills on shipboard, for I was familiar enough with the army to show up a 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.
 'I don't have to use it except once a week." I answered. 'I'm 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 dier songs, and we had quite collec- tion 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.
 It 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 song. If any reformer kicks on that crap game he ought to go 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 Persh- 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 sort of distant person who spent 1 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 were eager to get into action. They wanted to try it anyway
 we may be fed up on 1t year from now," declared one fellow who had