New-York tribune., 1917-06-17
"Spudhole"
A Study in Khaki
By PATRICK MacGlLL

over the nrlng line. A oatlalloh, oaSA
from the fighting, comes to the little
village of N, where the men are
going 20 rest for day or two. NJ
| had once been very near the German
/ lines, but now that the enemy has re-
tired and the village is all but out OF
/ artillery range the natives have set
about improving the place, repairing
( the broken walls and the shattered
roofs. The French adapt themselves
with great readiness to any change.
Two months ago they spent great
part Of their rme in sandbagging their
cellars; now their spare moments are
spent in placing fresh tiles over their
attics.
The battalion has been fighting by
the River Scarpe, and there the SOL
diers have waged great battle against
the enemy. They now come into the
village, tramping steadily, their rifles
at all angles and their voices raised
/ in song. Theirs is spirit that can
not be subdued. In the village square
half dozen field kitchens are alight.
The cooks sweat as they brew the
dixies of tea over blazing fires.
A halt is called. The sergeant Of
the first platoon steps out from the
ranks. He is tall. lean man. with the
ribbon Of the d. c. NJ. on his breast.
Fall out, the first twenty-five men,
/ he says "The house on the left The
men fall out and look at the house. II
is a large unoccupied building, with
shattered roof. On the door is chalked
the message, "25 Men, That number
can be billetcd there.
"It's always the luck O. this bloomin
platoon!" exclaims one of the men
"Shoved into 'ole where there's no.
body. I'll bet yer the sarge will get
a billet where there's Ugh serciety."
That's enough, Spudhole," the ser
geant replies, addressing the man. III
YOU get irto billet where there's a
girl you're never 10 De louhu "hen
there's fatigue on
81 don't mind a fati-gew," says Spud
hole. "Not if it's a real fsti-gew, but
that's when we're up in the trenches
But one ere when I've got ter pick
papers from the street! Blimey! that
amt no cop!'
The twenty-five men under the bill
lets unloosen their equipment and place
il on the floor. Spudhole sits down and
takes off his puttees.
81 don't fink much Of this ere place,
he SAYS. 81 bet yer that the sarge finds
'imsef IN a much better place. But it's
allus the boomin' way"
Two things happened at that moment
which put a stop TO Spudhole's grum
bling. The battalion postman brought
the days letters in, and following them
came rations and tea.
They're getting very smart with
things nowadays" said one of the men
81 don't know how they manage IT at
all. One time letters came anyhow
and rations arrived hours late. That
was. il they arrived at all. As far as
can see, war is now conducted on
good business footing
The men sit down, fill their mess tins
with tea. cut the bread into good, thick
slices. butter it and eat. Presently all
are in a good humor, even Spudhole.
He finishes his meal. lies back on the
floor and lights cigarette. 1t is at
this moment that his eyes catch sight
of the sergeant outside. "A bloomln
fati-gew,o mutters Spudhole, and he
flies upstairs TO the attic. Spudhole
has had more fatigues than enough IN
the army. but a man with the nickname
Spudhole may we'll expect such things
"Seems to me that I'm always picked
lout for the dirty" he often exclaimed
Which was true. for the army considers
that fatigues are a splendid corrective
for men who are now and again guilty
of minor offences.
The sergeant enters the olllet'
81 want as many men as possible
for a fatigue" he says. "Only short
lob. We're going to have a concert
to-nipht. and We want TO clear the
hall. where's Spudhole? want him
t, help"
There is no answer.
ITS only short job" says the
sergeant "I don't see why some OF
yon should be hiding. II | don't get
The work done the blame will come
on me. You all stuck 10 me when the
/ fghtin' was on, and now you let me
! down"
The remark is intended for Spud-
boIe's ears. The sergeant knows that
he is hiding somewhere near. just
| then Spudhole comes downstairs. wear
ing a shamefaced look. =.
"I was up on the top OF the root,
sarge. havin' look round ne says.
"Im looking for men for fatigue,
savs the sergeant, speaking as if un-
aware that Spudhole had been listen
sOrl right, I'll be one o. those that's
on the Job" says Spudhole.
ats clearing up a hall for con,
cort" saws the sergeant. "1he hall
I is on the left down the street 80
YOU men can go away now and get 1t
| done as quickly as you can.
The men troop out, Spudhole at the
roar The sergeant calls him back.
"Have a fag. Spudhole," says the
sergeant, stretching out his cigarette
case.
"Thank you." Spudhole replies.
There's quite enough men without
vouD saws the sergeant. "You don't
need to 60" J.
"Me stav ere and let my mates DO
nv work" Spudhole exclaims. NO
| bloomin' fear. I'm goin'.'