Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1918-08-09
this time"

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turner's viii do more than demon
strate patriotism-theyll get a
mighty good change" He reached
ior his hat. It's going to be hct
today. hate to start out"
A vegetable wagon crawled into
sight, A bare-footed boy, under a
big umbrella, was flicking his slo ~
moving horse, and droning. New
potatoes; green beans; peas; raspber-
RES. Mrs. Clarke motioned for him
to stop, and, picking up the break
fast tray, she turned toward the kit
chen.
Goodbye, If you're Off" she said.
Keep out of the hot sun as much as
you can, and do stop at the ticket
office and engage reservations for
our holiday trip"
Il can leave now most any time;
but what's the use? We'd be more
comfortable at home"
X is a small town, but an import
ant railroad junction. hence it hap
pened that while the Clarkes we're at
breakfast long troop train drew up
on the siding and disgorged 500
train-worn soldier boys who stretch
ed their weary limbs, adjusted their
packs and rifles, fell into tours at the
word of command, and in the grim
accountrements of war, without band
or banners, headed across town to
the railroad station from which they
were to leave for some unknown sail
ing point. Mr.. Clarke saw them COM
ing, and hurried out to the kitchen.
''Nettie," he called; come quick!"
The vegetable boy came, TOO. Gee
whillikens!" he gasped; look at the
heft of them packs!"
The street, which had drowsed in
the heat of the morning, in a trice be-
came alive with men, women and
Nhildi OIL SiOnuiAS W tuo CuID5,
watching in silence the men advanc-
ing like a great rhythmic wave toward
over there" Beads of water stood
on the soldiers cheeks; great drops
ran down their chins. Mr.. Clarke
neryously wiped his own face Look
at them sweat! By jove! I'd hate to
carry that gun and pack very far"
Il wish they'd send them through
at night. Seeing them go off bur-
dened like pack animals makes one
uncomfortable, Mrs. Clarke fretted
Buying Liberty Bonds looks small
in the face of going to make, if need
be, the supreme sacrifice a captain
in the Liberty Bond drive spoke at
Mr.. Clarke's elbow
And whistling as they co." The
latter eyed the line of bOyish-looking
soldiers marching sturdily on with
lips puckered in a whistle which was
not the rollickinG whistle of care
free boys-but the determined whis-
tie for which men pucker their lips
when ahead there is a grim job which
they have determined to tackle.
A grand mother sobbed: God
bless you and keep you and bring you
safe home"
Mrs. Clarke shivered. Il can't
feel as if this is true. It's unreal
like a pantomime. I've thought of
sending men as I've thought of ship
ping out freight. IL never again
read of troops without seeing boys
dear boys!"
You'd think it is true quickly
enough if you had boy on the
water, where my boy is today" q
woman beside her wadded a wet
handkerchief in her hand. I'm so
scared | don't know what to do. Son
was doing fine, with tho best firm
ever; he was to get raise; his pa
and l were so happy; there was a
girl, too But we couldn't hold him.
I've got to do my share, mother,
he told me. l don't know what I've
done to be punished like this. He
didn't have to 60; but he went. l
don't know what I've done"
IF l had a dozen boys, I'd gladly
give them every one!" Mrs. Clarke
spoke with fiery patriotism.
IF you had one, you'd know more
about it," the mother said, sharply
1T isn't only tho boys going, it's the
useless waste of boys through the in
difference of folks who haven't had
tho war brought homo to Them
through the going of their own kin.
When my son said goodbye, he add
ed If | die. mother, you mustn't
think I'm a loss. I'm an investm ent
like a Liberty Bond-the best kind
of an investment Now he's gone,
and I'm lonely, I'm so lonely-and
when see the folks here carry on,
Tow opd va0atipninV and